In 1985 I was transferred from Indiana to Kansas to manage a jewelry store. The morale was low and many of the old-timers were grouchy. So it made sense when many complained the following year about the new seatbelt law. On January 1, 1986, many drivers in the US would have to attach their seatbelts. (Most cars have been equipped with seatbelts since 1968 but no one was required to wear them.)
I’ll never forget how two of the old men said they would defy the law because the government would never control them and said being forced to wear seatbelts took away their freedom.
The law did not protect other drivers but it certainly reduced injuries and deaths of all drivers and passengers who wore the belts.
For over a year, we have lived the roller coaster of sporadic mask mandates for the prevention of spreading a deadly virus. The difference here, unlike the seatbelt, is that these mandates are less selfish for they are mainly designed to protect others instead of oneself.
Like the seatbelt and the mask, mankind has devised a way to minimize the hostile living conditions that we are usually responsible for.
Today, with world teamwork, we have devised a vaccine to combat our new enemy. Joyously, the vaccine is safe and highly effective. It has been successful in virtually eliminating the possibility of severe illness and death-
for the vaccinated.
For the unvaccinated, the virus happily makes us sick and die. It is a raging pandemic. And, like the seatbelt, there is a selfish quality to the vaccine- it protects the user. The person who suffers and dies is the unvaccinated. I continue to wear a mask to protect you, but finally there is something that protects me.
I want to once again live in a world where we can freely breathe without covering our faces. It is now second nature to click our seatbelts and to make sure our passengers are safe and secure. I am happy to live in a country that cares about my well-being.
We’ve come a long way. Let’s put this virus behind us. Please get vaccinated now.