Since March, our lives have been all consuming with the global pandemic. While there might not be a vaccine for the coronavirus yet, there are still many other vaccines for existing diseases that are still necessary. I feel strongly that it’s crucial we continue to vaccinate despite the threat of COVID-19. I would like to share my recent experiences with venturing outside our quarantine bubble to hopefully help those of you who are scared, contemplating your upcoming doctor visit, or have questions about existing medical care.
Whether you’re a first time mom, or in our case, embarking on the journey with three kiddos, it can be an anxious time. Don’t get me wrong, having children is by far the BEST decision we’ve ever made, but with that comes extreme sleep deprivation, figuring out meals, trying to balance schedules and also making sure each child gets equal and adequate attention. Now, enter a global pandemic, a husband working 60-70 hours per week from home, a 2 1/2 year old who dropped her nap, a newborn, and things get a little more tricky. Needless to say, things are pretty chaotic at our house.Â
We were fortunate we left the hospital on March 5th, so things were just starting to ramp up with COVID19. We were still able to have family come visit us, and there wasn’t that constant fear that we, or worse, our baby would be infected by the looming airborne virus. I know some of you expecting moms out there are scared, but know this – you have some of the best medical teams in the nation right here in Madison, WI. Madison is also home to American Family Children’s Hospital, which continues to rank on the “top 50” hospitals in the nation. They will go above and beyond to protect you and your baby. How do I know this if we escaped the onslaught of infections? We’ve had appointments with our pediatrician since the crisis hit, and experienced firsthand the excellent care and precautions medical professionals are taking.
I have always been a vaccinator. I believe in the science and the data. I believe the benefit outweighs the risk. While some choose not to vaccinate – there is a growing concern of those who normally vaccinate but who aren’t due to COVID-19. I want to share a recent experience of mine to help ease your mind, and inform you on all of the safety precautions clinics/hospitals are taking. I was somewhat nervous to enter the clinic during a global pandemic. Sitting in a waiting room with other patients was the last thing I wanted to do.Â
I initially called Guy’s doctor and told her we wouldn’t be coming in for his two month appointment because of COVID-19 and the risk of infection for both our baby, and myself (having Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disease). She answered several of my rambling and rather paranoid questions, and assured me that getting his vaccinations was the right thing to do. We did most of the pre-screening questions on the phone at home before our visit, and on the morning of our appointment, we answered the remaining items from our car in the parking lot. When the conversation ended, they had a nurse meet me at the side entrance (usually this one is closed) and personally escort me to our room. Absolutely no one was in the waiting room with the exception of the receptionists, and they were behind a large plastic barrier divider. They staggered appointments, so we literally only saw one nurse, and his pediatrician, both of whom were dressed in head to toe PPE. I knew clinic staff would wear masks, but I was pleased to see the use of plastic gloves as well because I was nervous about the physical exam portion. I felt safe and comfortable knowing that I could still get the very best care for our baby.
His pediatrician went on to tell me that some parents are choosing NOT to vaccinate their kids due to the coronavirus. She also stated that with so many not vaccinating, there’s a legitimate fear that pertussis, measles, and other diseases that have remained dormant for years, could become rampant. There is a high likelihood that flu cases in children could be at an all time high this year due to a lower turnout for shots as well. There is also chatter amongst pediatricians that there will be a wave of COVID-19 in the fall. This country has suffered enough. Please continue to vaccinate to protect your child, and to protect children of those around you. As a mother of three, my kids are my world. I can’t imagine if they were to fall sick from something that could have been prevented. Like the Coronavirus, see it for what it is. It’s a health crisis. NOT a political issue.
“Giving children a healthy start in life, no matter where they are born or the circumstance of their birth, is the moral obligation of every one of us.” –Â Nelson Mandela
