Mariella Gattini

According to The Wall Street Journal in a piece written by Jason Douglas, published August 31, 2021, 70% of the adult population is fully vaccinated in Europe, 63% of people over 18 are fully vaccinated in the U.S. (information obtained from the CDC), and the same for the U.K. in a 77% of those 16 and older.

This is good news, but we still have the problem of variants, so it is vital for entire populations worldwide to get vaccinated to avoid any more deaths and the terrible consequences suffered by those who get infected and survive, or who die despite all medical efforts. Also in this article the World Health Organization Europe director, Dr. Hans Kluge, states: “Vaccine skepticism and science denial is holding us back from stabilizing this crisis. It serves no purpose, and is good for no one.”

This is not the moment to relent. We are not there yet, so precautions need to be taken in our everyday lives, such as avoiding enclosed public spaces, unnecessary contact with big groups of people, and close encounters with people you don’t know if they are vaccinated or not, and always wear a mask of good quality.

Unfortunately, we are surrounded by pandemic deniers, who have no consideration for our public health. A crisis is always difficult to assess and accept for people who don’t want to face the truth in their lives.

I hope you are doing well. I’m doing all right, despite the fact that I do have to restrain myself from traveling, the thing I love the most, and besides the fact that I love to be surrounded by people. So yes, I’m hurting, too.

I’m looking forward for the days ahead, when we can finally meet in person without distrust and fear of human contact.

In the meantime, I wish you my best.