We made a heart breaking decision last night to cancel our plans to visit family in Georgia for Christmas. It wasn’t responsible in the first place, but then with numbers surging recently, COVID-19 being the number one killer in the US a couple of weeks ago – even over the long-reigning heart disease, some Georgia hospitals being at 97% capacity with some having to bring in refrigerated trucks to hold the dead bodies, and with increasing numbers of people here in Virginia testing positive that are getting too close to home, we knew that it was beyond irresponsible to travel. Down right reckless. I knew, deep down, that even though this decision would break the hearts of young cousins who haven’t seen each other in over a year, and may even anger some family members, that it was the right thing to do. I mean, it would be like hosting a party for unvaccinated puppies at a public dog park in the middle of a parvo outbreak.
You may be thinking “what does a veterinarian know about this human disease?” The answer is “Not much”. BUT, I understand outbreaks and highly infectious diseases and how to manage them and keep them under control. In small animal, I have dealt outbreaks when anti-vaxxer breeding kennels broke out with parvo as well as the not uncommon kennel cough outbreaks when people take their dogs to groomers, dog parks, kennels, etc. As a large animal veterinarian, we don’t even wait for outbreaks to occur to start with careful preventative practices such as isolation of dairy calves so they cannot touch each other, quarantine of new animals to the herd, health checks before shipping animals to a new herd, isolation pens for the sick animals, and the obvious vaccinations.
Honestly, thinking like a large animal herd health veterinarian, the idea that people all mixed together all the time and all over the world without protective protocols before this outbreak is kind of mind boggling. Masks should have been instituted long ago for anyone with the sniffles. Temperature checks should be common when intermingling groups of people. These are all very common ideas in the animal/herd health world that we just take for granted in the human world. And, no, your immune system does not get weak by not being exposed to highly infectious things. It maintains its memory – literally in your bones (marrow). You wouldn’t lick a toilet seat splattered with diarrhea to help your e-coli or salmonella immunity, would you? Some dirt good, some will kill you dead.
When COVID was fresh in the US, there was much discussion on my vet moms’ group because veterinarians have been dealing with a coronavirus for decades with no good answers. There is a feline coronavirus that is very common in the cat population and causes a transient (goes away quickly) diarrhea for most cats, but for some cats, it can change the way the immune system reacts to it and can cause a horrible death months to, even, years later and there’s not way to test to see which individuals will react this way. COVID-19, even though it is the same type of virus as FIP, is a respiratory virus whereas FIP is intestinal. They, very well, may not have the same long term threats, but COVID has only been around 10 months. It may take another year to determine if there will be any long term effects. Unfortunately, there is no effective vaccination for the feline form. We are hoping that with the increased money and interest invested in saving our human families, that this vaccine will be much more effective.
Long story short, if we can prevent spread of the disease, it would be smart, careful, it would be showing love for our fellow man. The death toll in the US is currently at 1.8% – seems low, but as my brother, who works at a cement company, pointed out – if everyone at his plant got infected, they would lose 4 people. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but if you had to look those 4 people in the eye before they died and say “well, it’s only a small percentage”, would you be okay with it? If you knew that only the people over 55 were the ones that would die, would that make it better? I mean, they’re too old to enjoy life anyway, right?
I could go on and on. Please comment with more questions. On to the point!
So, we begrudgingly announced to the kids that we would not be going to Georgia for Christmas. They were shocked, their little faces, fallen with mouths agape. Then, like little Cindy Loo Who, India muttered “but why?” When we explained to them about how terrible COVID was getting, they had lots of questions about the virus and the masks they’d been wearing. We explained how many people are dying of COVID. We explained that masks help, but are not 100% and that masks are for protecting other people and not ourselves – giving them the respiratory droplet explanation. She asked if some people were not able to wear the masks – we answered that a very small minority of people physically or medically cannot wear them, but that was even more of a reason for those of us who can to wear them, to protect others.
Then, India, my 8 year-old little girl asked me the hardest question yet: “Why don’t some people not want to wear masks?”
Was I supposed to explain the “sheeple shaming”?
Was I supposed to explain the greater fear people have of appearing to follow the crowd or somehow being controlled by the scheming government than that of killing strangers with their irresponsibility and selfishness?
How could I explain to a loving child who is always worried about how other people are feeling or doing that some people just don’t consider their own actions and the repercussions they could have? Those who don’t look past their front door for people to care about? All while teaching her the ways of Jesus?
So, I just took a few moments, trying to gather just the right way to explain it to her and finally said;
“Baby, I don’t know”
Smart option not to travel. I work healthcare and the hospitals in central Pa are getting bad.
I’ll say it for you, some ppl are just selfless assholes!! I know not kid friendly but…..
And this, this right here.💙
My oldest lives in Georgia, his two sons live here in Arizona with their mother.
She is putting them on a plane Thursday the 18th. I’m heart broken. They also flew in July, but it’s only getting worse 😢💔
Sending a big faithful wish for you all
Ann Lurie Berlin
I also made the hard decision not to go from Northern Michigan to down state to have Christmas with my grand kids, kids, and in-laws. We always have this huge Christmas dinner and gift exchange on Christmas Eve, but I made the decision we would not be going. When I called my daughter to tell her we would not be coming and that PaPaw said he would rather not have the dinner this year. She said she was so relieved, she felt the same way but couldn’t find the words to tell us. My grandson has had the virus, as careful as they have been, and has recovered. She said she would cook Christmas dinner and would make sure to take it over and do her usual porch drop off for MaMaw and PaPaw. She is now doing porch drop offs since my grandson had the virus, and will continue until the 30 days with neg. test is complete, because of their age. Merry Christmas to you and your family
Oh Emily. You think like I do. I think masks are Important to protect others. Some people are very irresponsible and selfish. Good decision not to travel. I don’t think a vaccine is going to stop this pandemic in the near future. Some people won’t even get vaccinated. It will be months before most people get the vaccine. The vaccine might not even work for long .
The virus might mutate or another virus will appear. We’ve screwed with the ecology of this planet for too long. We can thank climate change for this zoonotic tranfer of Covid-19. We’ve encroached into forests where new virusesl await for us…😷
My 92 year old father and his wife thought it was safe to travel and they both are now sick with COVID. Father was in ICU on a ventilator for a week, now at home. Still sick, both of them!
I totally agree with you. I’m tired of hearing it’s government propaganda or they’re trying to control us and taking our rights away from us. My Granddaughter had covid and we all had a lonely Thanksgiving but thats a sacrifice You have to make to stay healthy. I love my family and miss shopping and visiting friends and family but because of that love I stay away. People are so selfish in ways that can be scary.
In these difficult times, I have no problem being labeled a “sheeple “ if it means one less family has to experience the loss of a loved one. By wearing my mask, I can ensure that I am not unwittingly contributing to this pandemic. Your decision to not travel to Georgia over Christmas is the right one and completely unselfish. While I do not believe in over-vaccinating my dogs, I have seen what parvo can do to an otherwise healthy litter of beautiful puppies…there is no “herd immunity” Once a vaccine against Covid is available for me, I will take it, and I pray others do too because like puppies and parvo, we do not have herd immunity against this virus.
Oh Emily. You think like I do. I think masks are Important to protect others. Some people are very irresponsible and selfish. Good decision not to travel. I don’t think a vaccine is going to stop this pandemic in the near future. Some people won’t even get vaccinated. It will be months before most people get the vaccine. The vaccine might not even work for long .
The virus might mutate or another virus will appear. We’ve screwed with the ecology of this planet for too long. We can thank climate change for this zoonotic tranfer of Covid-19. We’ve encroached into forests where new viruses await us…😷
Your response was sound. It’s ok as parents to not have all the answers. Good for you!
❤️Thank you for posting this, and for your honest, authentic answer to India. We don’t know either.❤️
I agree with your non- traveling to Georgia decision. My step-father died last Sunday of this horrid virus. I would not wish this on anyone.
Wow sp much i want top day on this. Personally i think you did more than the right thing here. My wife works as a lpn in a senior care facility… Wanna talk horror stories? Stay safe doc. You AND the family!
I think that’s a great Idea! I asked my daughter if the kids (8 & 5) understand why they have to wear masks. She said they do & it’s not a complicated concept. I told her it must be for some adults though.
Boy how the kids have grown! I agree with every thing you”ve said ! Most all this could have been prevented if safety measures had been put in place earlier than they were.
Hi Emily, Tony and kids… i agree with your decision not to travel this Christmas… better to be safe than sorry… my daughter who lives in Ontario was supposed to come to New Brunswick for the holidays but thats not happening, and who knows about next year.. guess we can just take one day at a time and live the new “normal”…i want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the best to all of you in 2021…hope its a better year…. Donna from Moncton….
I just found this! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you….
#1. Wise decision not to go home for Christmas. There’s just too much chance. This past fall I couldn’t attend hunting camp, up in Maine. It turned out to be a good thing. Everyone that was at camp contracted SARS-COVID-2. There was no sign of it prior to camp. It just happened. That’s how quick this disease is. All have or mostly recovered. Thank goodness.
#2 Can you believe both of you are still making new releases on “Doctor Pol”? That’s lFascinating to me.
#3 I sure appreciate you two taking time to share your lives, with us. We got interested watching the show. Now we get to somewhat continue.
Great to catch up!
very well said, it’s nice to know there are people out there who do care.
Greetings from The Netherlands (excuse my English). Here it is not as bad as in the US, but we are worried too. Here we have the same discussions. “Sheep” vs “lemmings”. Grimly, aggressive, this pandemic seems to bring up the worst in people. Your text about the cat-corona is interesting but also worrying. Take good care of yourself and your family!
You make us feel better about our decision to not
have Christmas with family this year. We are in our 80’s and our family lives near us but we have isolated from them since June. Great-grandchild expected this month and everyone is in protective mode.
Very well said Emily. Thank you for your candor and honesty; I really love that you share yourself and your family with us!
I have some friends who refuse to believe the statistics of COVID-19. As my son likes to say, “common sense ain’t so common”! I am sending them your blog! I have three daughters who work in education and they have all chosen to stay away from us in order to protect us. It has been very difficult not to be with them and our ten grandchildren, but it is done out of love for one another. There has been a lot of FaceTime but so miss those precious hugs. Now with the vaccine in our near future I’m hopeful we will all be together soon. God bless and Merry Christmas!
Well said!
I have to say you guys did the right. When this all started I was against having to wear a mask. However, after some soul searching, I decided I was being selfish and wanted to to walk the walk of faith and people first instead of myself. For the last several months I have worn a mask whenever we go out and when I am at work. My wife and I recently both tested positive. She had symptoms while I was asymptomatic. Let me tell you, after being in quarantine, cabin fever is real. As much as we enjoyed spending time together, not getting out of the house wears on you. Our poor two year old just didn’t understand why we couldn’t go visit friends and family, or why she couldn’t go to school. I am a believer now more than ever in wearing a mask and keeping others safe, as well as myself.
Thank you for your comments on this terrible virus!
Would like to hear your comments on the Covid 19 infection in the mink herds in some countries and their plan to destroy all the mink .
Is the Covid 19 able to infect humans from animals?
You are doing the right thing. My first great grandson was born last month in South Carolina. I live in Pa. I have made the drive many times but I will not be seeing my family there until it’s safe. If more people would adhere to what the officials recommended, this pandemic may end. BTW, miss seeing you on Dr. Pol. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Emily,
Can I just say , I love you. Your entire perspective and outlook on things just…….I don’t know, warms my heart. I’m 59 years old and would love you for my vet and daughter. You made the right decision. You all have a WONDERFUL Christmas, Gid bless you and keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy.
Dearest Emily: Thank you so much for sharing with us, your thoughts and actions and photos. Covid knows no boundaries; we alone cannot make it go away, but we can all do our part to make it less severe for others.
I wish a safe, healthy and happy Christmas to you, your husband, your children and all the animals in your care.
You are an inspiration to us all and I will keep you all in my prayers.
Here’s hoping for a better year in 2021. I look forward to many more of your posts. Thank You.
I agree with you Dr. Emily whole heartily ❤️ Tough decisions not to see family at Christmas. But thoughtful and caring and it’s just 1 year ! Our family in Michigan is doing the same . Hopeful for a better 2021 we have many reasons to be hopeful.
You’re doing a very hard grown up thing – not traveling for Christmas. A cozy immediate household Christmas will most likely be more special holding beautiful memories for your children that will last them a lifetime. After all, the very first Christmas was just immediate household family only! 🙂
Emily, what a good attitude and decision. You are right, there are some people that only consider themselves and I feel this is a big cause for the uptick around the US. Holidays are supposed to spent with those we love. Sad that those decisions have to be made but at least maybe you can facetime? You have such a wonderful family and they are growing so fast. Keep all of your loved ones safe. We will come out of this eventually!! Happy Holidays.
You are doing the right thing. This virus is now spreading to people who thought they were doing everything right. I loved your brothers analogy. ❤️Wishing you and your beautiful family a very Merry Christmas! Love all the pictures too.
I really enjoy these posts. Thank you and Tony so much, and the children. Your daughter looks so much like you! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas this year and a wonderful New Year. God bless you, every one!
We visited The Wilds last February when a new rhino had just arrived. He was carefully quarantined with only one staff member authorized to come within 30 feet of him for an extended period. He was isolated with what amounted to crime scene tape and “Do not approach” signs. Obviously he was also isolated from all other animals. Thanks to vets we do a better job of protecting large animals — domestic and exotic — than we do protecting ourselves. We met the rhino last month. He is in the herd and doing fine.
What a powerful article. I remember when I first starting working in veterinary medicine, that we were fighting Distemper and how hard it was to convince pet owners that it was more than just a runny nose. All of the different ways it affected the animal with almost certain death even years later, made you feel so hopeless, the same as FIP. And then one week in the 70’s and 33 dogs lost to diarrhea and out of nowhere a new virus, Parvo became part of our lives. The beginning of Heartworm, dealing with Anthrax in a sheep pasture, etc. I try to explain to my friends why SARs II is not just the Flu and that we don’t have any idea still where this is headed. And I won’t even begin on the Anti-Vaxers!!!!!!!!!! or why people feel that they have the right to endanger peoples lives because a mask infringes on their rights. I don’t believe not having to wear a mask was one of the reasons I went to Vietnam.
I pray every day for our kids and for the fear that their parents are going through. People like you remind me that there are good people in the world and that the Light will overcome the darkness. Merry Christmas Dr. Emily.
Dr. Emily,
Our beloved grandson who works and lives in DC, made the same decision to not travel to be with our family in the Atlanta area about a week ago. We all were sad as we are a close family. He was sad and tearful himself when he called home to tell his parents, our daughter and son-in-law. He’s one of only four grandchildren in our family and has never missed all 24 of his previous Christmases.
But after the initial shock, we knew it was the right decision, It would not be responsible to spread the virus in either direction. His mom, our daughter, is a physical therapist in one of the local hospitals and works with COVID patients frequently although protected by appropriate PPE. It’s just another chance for exposure.
We’ll miss him very much. Just wanted to share with you that you’re not alone in making this tough decision.
God bless you and your family. I really enjoyed you on Dr. Pol and especially enjoy your blog and other social media posts.
Well said.
We just canceled our family get together in Alabama. I would rather miss a Christmas party
Than to have someone get sick.
You are 100% on target here. Very well said. We have had to make the same decision as well. May you and your family have a healthy and merry Christmas!
We all do the best we can to keep us all safe. I hope you can find a way to still be a big part of “the Georgia family” while keeping you and yours safe.
Merry Christmas.
I agree with your decision 100%. We chose to stay at home for Thanksgiving too. Other family members didn’t stay at home and now they are Covid +. I pray they all recover. It is so sad that we can’t get together for all of our family traditions, but it would be tragic to have a funeral instead.
Love seeing the family n kids on line. Wish I could see u in action on tv. Ever think of doing ur own show?
Stay safe Thomas Familia. Visiting relatives can wait for healthier times See u soon online 🌺❤️
I respect your (very respondible!) decision! We, too, are staying home. My parents are in their 80s. My daughter tested positive and we are all still in quarantine. It’s no fun, I can tell you! Cannot even go get milk!! But I CAN AND WILL help prevent the virus from spreading to my and someone else’s loved ones.
So tragic that the virus has been politicized.
Has anyone read social media comments about Thanksgiving Zoom family “gatherings”? Some people played board games, others talked, others sang…I did not so far read any “I hated our Zoom family gathering” posts! There is no need to be out of contact with family. Just no hugs. Yes, that is a little sad. But it is a LOT responsible.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! This is one of the best explanations I have read championing the need for masks. We cancelled our family gathering this year too. I am sad that I don’t get to make my yearly connection with the great nieces and nephews. I am very thankful for the advancement of the internet and technology. I am also blessed that my 91 year old mother is savvy enough to use it all.
I agree with your decesion not to travel. With vaccines on the horizon things should change for the better in the coming year. Why chance harming an older loved one when s Skype call now and a visit next year is so doable. Enjoy your time with your husband and children knowing you are doing the responsible thing.
You said we could ask questions so I have one…the new Covid vaccine is an MRNA vaccine. I am not affiliated with healthcare in any way but I know that RNA has to do with genetic makeup…I would be interested to know your take on a vaccine that interacts at the genetic level. Thanks Dr. Emily…Merry Christmas.
I looked it up myself because I am not an expert on how all vaccines work, but, apparently, the m (messenger)RNA enters our cells, but not the nucleus where our genetic material (DNA) is, and gives the cell instruction on how to make the outer surface protein that is first encountered when the coronavirus enters our body. Once the proteins are made, the message is destroyed, but the body will now develop an immune response to the surface proteins so that it will be ready to fight as soon as the virus enters our body.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
Thank you for talking about feline coronavirus (FIP). I had a five month old kitten pass away last April from FIP, just as the human version was causing lockdowns. I felt so helpless just watching him fading away knowing I couldn’t do anything to help him. It is a horrible thing to go through for both cats and humans. I just can’t understand why as human beings we would want to be the cause of another human suffering. To me that is what other people are saying to me by not wearing a mask. That they don’t care if other people suffer because of them.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Wonderful, thoughtful post. Thank you for this. Do I have permission to share it with others?
Yes, please do!
I, too, decided not to visit my sister for the holidays. It was a very hard decision, as I had not seen her since last Christmas. I would have to quarantine there and then again when I got home. I cannot afford to take all that time off, without pay, so decided it was best to stay home. The numbers in California are skyrocketing and it is so very scary. Please stay safe everyone and for Pete’s Sake – WEAR A MASK!!! Happy Holidays!
Fascinating about the FIP/feline coronavirus. I wonder if the human vaccination will lead to a veterinary one? I “love” how some folks want all the answers about covid NOW, when no one knows all the answers–why some just have mild symptoms and others die, and the long-term effects. This disease did NOT come with an User Manual! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas–ours will be via Zoom or video-chat. Be safe, y’all!
Thanks great analogy. Maybe next year. Glad Dr. Atlas left the Whitehouse team his theory on herd immunity was crazy. Continue to be safe and Merry Christmas
I am sure you have made this decision based on your own observations and research. Our family is getting together, just as we did for Thanksgiving. We had one of our kids and their family (2 grandkids) not come as our son-in-law tested positive for Covid. My daughter also had a mild case and their children did not get it at all. I watch their children and had their kids all week before their dad came home sick. (He tested and came back positive). My husband and I did not get sick, but then we eat a nutrient-dense diet and take supplements No one else in the family came down with Covid.
Masks only offer a small amount of safety- 40% or less, depending on the type used. Once the mask gets damp it no longer works at all (from breathing). This is scientifically correct. The American Association of Physicians and Surgeons have a very good article on the efficacy of masks and the science behind them. It is easy to google this and find it.
We have 3 friends whose elderly parents died this year. One in July, one in October, and the other in November. Two died of natural causes of old age, and one of cancer. Yet, all three were listed as “Covid Deaths” by the coroner, who refused to change the cause of death, and all 3 families are very angry their family member was used as pawns for this virus. Each one of their family members were tested within 2 days of death and supposedly tested positive for Covid, though none of the parents had any symptoms of Covid. Zero symtoms. Yet their family members were all listed as “Covid Deaths” since they tested positive for Covid. These parents were aged 92, 87, and 89, respectively. The 87 year old died of cancer. NONE died of Covid, yet their deaths were added as Covid Deaths in our county. Our oldest daughter’s brother-in-law was hospitalized with Covid and ended up in the ICU and on an intubator. His wife was called in and told they did not believe he would last the night and to be prepared for his death as he was in very bad shape. She as very upset as both are in their 40’s. She was told that the hospital could give him an experimental medicine, but she had to sign a paper she knew the risks and would not sue as she was agreeing for him to get this medicine. She signed as she was anxious to try anything, Her husband was given Hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and a Z-pack. He had walked out of the hospital 3 days later.
He still has lung issues as intubators are not good and do harm. But the hospital receives $39,000 for every patient on an intubator. Had the medicine been given when he first went into the hospital he would never have been intubated and never in the ICU.
The vaccine has been fast-tracked, is an m-RNA vaccine, and there are many questions about the safety of this vaccine. Robert Kennedy Jr, has written much about this, as has the National Vaccine Information Center. I will NOT be taking this vaccine as it also contains aborted baby dna (as do many of the common vaccines).
We know there are people dying from Covid (but also many dying of other things and being labeled Covid). The CDC came out in July and stated at that time that those who died thus far solely of Covid was 6000 as all others had comorbidities that contributed to their deaths. Many doctors have listed low Vitamin D3 levels as causing more dire outcomes in Covid illnesses and deaths. It is easy to have blood levels of Vitamin D3 checked with a simple blood draw. People with the best outcomes have levels of 50ng or higher. (listed by doctors)
I heard that same rumor, as well. My niece is a Pathologist at one of the best hospitals in NYC, and she explained that the vaccine has been TESTED on aborted baby tissue, but it does not contain aborted baby DNA. It is frustrating for so many of us when we hear/read all these news reports and it’s so difficult to know if what is being shared is true or not. My niece’s best advice was for each of us to speak with our own personal Doctor – whom we trust and who knows our medical history – about any questions or concerns we have about covid and the vaccine.
I’m so sorry you have lost so many to COVID! My thoughts are will you. As for masks being only 40% effective – let’s say that’s true – the example I gave of my brother’s plant; If 200 people work there and 60% got infected because the masks are only 40% effective, then with the 1.8% death rate, 2 people would still die. With the previous example where everyone got infected, 4 people died. So, with wearing even minimally protective masks, you’ve saved 2 lives! I think it’s worth it!
Thank you for this post Dr. Emily. My family just made that very same decision last evening. Daughter and son in law had airline tickets to come to Pennsylvania from their home in the suburbs of New Orleans, and son and future daughter in law were going to drive, with their beautiful great dane Juno, from their home in the suburbs of Atlanta. This would have been the first time we were all going to be together for Christmas (and my birthday, on the 29th) in 3 years. However, the risks, to us and to them, are just too great, and making this sacrifice at this time is necessary for us as well as the common good.
Best wishes to you and your family for a no-doubt different but blessed and Merry Christmas!
Wow!
You look awesome and so does your family. Glad you are enjoying the holidays with your kids!
We will be home too with just a few people over. You are doing the best for yourself and your family in Georgia. One day we will meet everyone again.
Merry Christmas 🎄 to the Thomas’s from Florida!!!
I’m missing all my grandkids(their parents too) who I haven’t seen for months! FaceTime is ok but it’s hard to hug little ones online! You have made the right decisions. Miss them for one year so you can enjoy them for years to come!
We did this exact same thing at Thanksgiving. We had plans to travel to my twin sis’s for turkey day. We kept up with the reports on the virus and finally we decided that it was best not to go. Honestly I was upset about it of course but it was the right decision. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas.
Thank you for this post, it was beautifully and thoughtfully worded and I totally agree.
Very well said Dr Emily. This has been a terrible year in many ways, but if we wear masks and be careful maybe, just maybe, we’ll all survive for next year and it’s family gatherings.
My wife and I were heartbroken too. Our daughter was bringing our son-in-law and oldest grandkid to town for Christmas. There will be no Christmas dinner or shared joy. We may rig up some kind of Zoom sharing, but of course that isn’t the same by a long shot. Our granddaughter is a senior in high school and will be going away to college next fall. We hope things are good by late Spring in order to go to her graduation.
Yes, our hearts are broken, but they will mend. If one of us had gotten Covid-19 because of the visit and passed the hearts would never mend.
I don’t understand the people who think the wearing or not wearing of masks should be a political thing. Its science. God gave us brains. Is it sinful to waste gifts from God?
Thank the good Lord for people like you. God bless.
How do you respond to the people that say there is no proof that masks prevent anything? I tell them that if they didn’t then why do doctors wear them for surgeries?
Will you take the vaccine? I’m afraid that we don’t know of the side effects, but have several serious conditions that make me very vulnerable if I catch COVID so I really want the vaccine to work. I really respect your opinion Emily.
Thank you Emily and family, always enjoy hearing from you. Stay healthy and Have a Merry Christmas and hopefully a better New Year.
Emily, Very well said. You are wise and caring parents, loving family members. Hard sacrifices now may contribute to many happy family gatherings for the future. We did Thanksgiving isolated, with Zoom. We have delayed my stepdads memorial service until it is safe….whenever that is. He passed on Election Day, not from the virus, but still sad for us. These are difficult times, with difficult decisions. The most generous gift we can offer our loved ones right now is making the needs of the whole a priority over our own desires. Kids are learning from us, and have risen to the challenge better than many adults. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Christmas will be different. It will still be full of love and family and safe for those you love….Merry Christmas to you and yours!
You are absolutely doing the right thing. No question about it. All we have to do is hold on for a while longer and (hopefully) we will return to some semblance of normalcy. Wishing you and the family the best. Miss you on Dr. Pol, but the older episodes are still available. Always admired your willingness to do the right thing. From New York, thanks.
Thank you. Your thoughts are always at the right time and perfectly said. It is tragic how our lack of leadership turned this devastating pandemic into a political poop storm. It didn’t have to be this way and the loss of life plus total chaos and confusion could have been avoided. It’s maddening and makes me heartsick.
Emily,
Thank you so much for posting this. It brought tears to my eyes.
My Spouse contracted COVID at work. There were mask policies. But he & his friend were the only ones wearing theirs. He & his friend brought it home to their families.
In other words, I also got COVID. I have done everything in my power to protect myself. I am disabled & have a sensitive respiratory system. I don’t go out much. When I do I always wear a mask & take extras to swap out (in case I sneeze or cough). I sanitize & wash. I was a homebody before. But I’ve been a hermit since February.
I still got COVID. I’ve been sick with many respiratory illnesses. This was the sickest I’ve ever been. I really don’t recommend it.
I am finally negative. But I have pneumonia now. Pneumonia seems to be the great piggybacker onto COVID.
So no family Christmas for me either.
I’m getting used to it. I haven’t had a holiday since Thanksgiving 2019. I had flu last Christmas & was not allowed to travel to my family. No New Year of course. No family Easter (my specialty). No Memorial Day, 4th of July, birthday, Halloween, or Thanksgiving. Now no Christmas or New Year again by doctor’s order.
My immune system is too low.
I made it 9 months. My Spouse’s co-workers gambled. I paid the price. I have no idea when or if my respiratory system will recover to how it was before. All I can do is keep fighting & keep trying to help people understand the seriousness of this disease.
Thank you again for all you do.
Caron
Great read As always
LOVE YOUR POSTS….KEEP ON SHARING, PLEASE
Excellent commentary as always Dr Emily. Thank you for saying this. We’ve been very lucky here in Australia. However, fellow Aussies who where overseas at the time of the outbreak, unfortunately, aren’t yet allowed back home, which I know is horrendous for them. It’s like America is more than six months behind what the rest of the world was doing to try to contain the spread of this virus. I just don’t understand why people don’t wear a mask. And don’t get me started on anti-vaxxers… I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and New Year.
Excellent post, Dr. Emily! Well said and I totally agree with all you say! It’s not about individual rights or the government. It’s “Do unto others as you would have them do to you. ” Take care of each other. I think that falls under Matthew 7:12, also known as the golden rule.
Merry Christmas to the Thomas family!
Hi Emily, we miss you in Michigan. I wish I believed the pandemic was real. I know there’s a Coronavirus but it’s not as bad as they’re saying. I’m a Christian. I believe this is Armageddon. And Satan is trying to stop the Ascension into 5D. Trying to fill us with fear and separate us from each other. John Hopkins just published a study and all deaths from cancer, heart attacks, car accidents Etc have lowered to next to nothing as coronavirus deaths have made up the difference.. I could go on and on. It would be such bad news that socialism from China is trying to take over our country but I have complete faith in God and in Revelation we are told that the light shall prevail and those that will not accept the mark of the Beast that is in the vaccines will be in heaven on Earth. I mean we haven’t all been going to church all these years and reading the Bible and say now that’s not real. I’m very happy for this next evolutionary step of mankind!
Good decision! And excellent comparison to how herd animals are treated. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
So sorry for your loss.
Wise decision! So my question to you as a vet: the tigers that have gotten coronovirus in zoos/sanctuaries, is that FIP they are getting?
As a woman of science it’s not surprising that you let knowledge be your little light. As adults we have to make tough decisions everyday, to protect us and our families, that’s what Adulting is. If more people would follow your lead maybe we could have not lost so may loved ones over the past 8 months. As I write this from my den I am quarantined here with my own Covid 19. I work as a firefighter and try to stay safe but slip ups occur, and now I’m sidelined at least 2 weeks. Stay the course Emily and know that you are doing the right thing. We all thank you for your honesty and determination. Merry Chirstmas
I know it’s hard but if staying home can prevent a small amount of transmission its the the thing to do. My hubby had surgery 9 weeks ago and just had to go back to hospital last week to do some repair work on that surgery. I am working but it’s only me and my boss in office. He stays in his office and me in mine. At home only our son is the only one we see and the home health nurse. I’m doing grocery pickup as much as I can. Just can’t be too careful. Love on those kiddos and have fun at home. They will remember all the fun you make at home!
Please check out Channel OAN news. It’s actually the only one telling the truth right now besides Newsmax and some online streams. The rest are owned by the Illuminati Antichrist.
You and family stay safe, Dr. Emily. Have the best Christmas you can have at home.
Prayers going to you, Tony and the kids; for the kids to gain understanding, for you the parents to be at peace and know that you are following your values and your consideration for others.
Have a wonderful Christmas. Your kids are growing up so fast – lessons learned now will stay with them forever.
Thank You Emily! Wishing you and your family a safe and very Merry Christmas. Your house is looking very festive.
You made the right decision. Hopefully, it’ s only for this year. We are also staying home. I would love to see my 92 yr old dad, but don’t want to chance unknowingly taking to him, my sister and my nieces. My mom told me one year when I was stressing about how Christmas wasn’t going to be perfect that each year is different. Do what you can and it will be alright.
Merry Christmas, Emily, to you and your family. May you have a Blessed and Joyous Holiday Season!
I’m glad you are protecting not only your family but others you will come in contact with by limiting unnecessary travel. May you all remain safe and healthy.
I agree with your post. Love the pics you posted. Hope you all stay safe and well. God Bless. Merry Christmas.
We also are not visiting family for Christmas. I have a brand new grand baby, my first, I haven’t seen yet….she lives a long way away. I think we all have to be smart and careful. As you say, we don’t know all about this virus yet and don’t know when we will know. Have a wonderful Christmas time with your own little clan. It’s great to see pics of how the kids are growing!
We live in Florida and my husband’s best friend in Indiana died last month. It broke his heart not to fly north for the funeral and to see his remaining friends but at our age (70s) it just didn’t make sense. I admire your answer to India; who knows what people are thinking? Your posts always make me think and also, smile. I love reading them. Merry Christmas (in place) and stay safe.
My family, too, has made the decision to not gather for the Holidays. We didn’t for Thanksgiving either. Hopefully, for next year, things will have returned to a relative normal.
I find something interesting in this reply section; there are still deniers and promoters with political statements that don’t conform to the reality that most believe in. I guess that is to be expected, and I honor their views. I hope that they honor others’ views as well.
I believe that your comparison to large animal preventative measures in similar situations is very revealing, and I had not realized this correlation. Also, if a doctor entered my hospital room not wearing a mask during this crisis, I would question their training, and probably ask them to either put on a mask or leave my room; especially if I was in a surgical environment. Masks have been proven to be effective, no matter what the percentage is.
Thank you for sharing your perspective. You are greatly appreciated.
Merry Christmas to you, your family, friends, and acquaintances. God Love You.
Jeff C.
Great contribution Emily !!!
We in Germany / Thuringia even have curfew at night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Which of course shows us that we cannot go to our loved ones and celebrate Christmas together either.
But there will celebrity be a new year 2021 and Christmas without Covid 19.
The focus is on the “AHA” formula – that means: keep your distance, observe hygiene and wear an everyday mask (mouth and nose cover).
Sincerely yours Mathias
Boldog Jarácsonyt az egész családnak Magyarországról!
Happy New Year!