"...Whatever happens over the next few months, I hope that when we look back at this time we remember to analyze how the privatized system of health care in America affected the vaccine rollout - for better or for worse..."

* Photo courtesy of Jeff Digre

TAK OUTMOVIES ONLY.

"...I won't exaggerate and tell you that it feels like a new beginning. We still have a long way to go, but I am feeling more confident that we are heading in the right direction with far fewer obstacles..."

* Photo courtesy of Angie Haigh, RN

At Highland Park Elementary School, St. Paul, Minn.

"...I have never experienced the devastation that any disease has brought to people's lives as I have over the last 10+ months in dealing with COVID, even with my experience during the early days of AIDS..."

...Onward (with sheet cake)...

"...I worry that society will continue to divide itself, even amidst the pandemic. I just want to feel a connection to society again..."

"...This vaccine is slowly chipping away at that mountain of uncertainty and dread. That's an amazing feeling. That's hope..."

* Photo courtesy of Laura Willson, PA

...although this (gestures broadly) is hard, we can do hard things. We were born to, in fact...

*Ice chunk gifted to be by my oldest daughter.

"...I am so grateful to be getting this vaccine... we still have a long way to go, but the vaccine provides a path for us to get there..."

* Photo courtesy of Michael Coleman, RN

"...Queridos familiares y amigos, aqui les muestro mi foto de mi segunda y ultima dosis de la vacuna contra el COVID-19..."

* Photo courtesy of Dr. Lourdes Gomez Villaume

"...Like many parents, we’re just trying to keep our family functional. We corral them for online school and our own workdays end up being a bit disjointed..."

Less than one week from our new Mr. President and Madame Vice President.

Trump Impeached Again.

"...Hi Katie, I wanted to share with you that my grandma received her first dose of the vaccine yesterday! I am elated and my whole family cheered when we received the news..."

* Photo courtesy of Sarah Staab

On my mind. I hope it's on your mind, too.

"...This question might be a good opportunity to talk about patients in the ICU, not my job. People may not realize how frightening it is to be sick with Covid-19..."

"...I’m really concerned about going back fully in person February 1st... I’m hoping that we won’t go back to school until teachers and staff are able to be vaccinated... Oh! And one more thing... I wasn't planning on falling in love. But I did."

*Photo courtesy of Lacey Weninger

"Got it done. A little skeptical at first, but so far, so good."

* Photo courtesy of Bernard Foster II

"...I am a pediatrician that specializes in taking care of critically ill newborns...We welcomed our fourth child the first week of March, 2020. By the time we walked out of the hospital, the world was turning upside down..."

"Spent. 9 months in. They use the word “fatigue” but it feels much more than that. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was doing ok...I find myself running on fumes now...tired all day, and yet unable to sleep at night...

But. Better days are coming..."

*Photo courtesy of Bob Galligan

From my 7 year old, Annie, 

"Covid-19 is not great, but we can do this! Happy New Year 2021! We got this, people!

Be over, Covid-19! Wear a mask!"

"My heart is so full of gratitude...With extreme gratitude comes equally extreme disappointment for the inequities in distribution of the vaccine...Analyzing the ways in which this global crisis were mishandled by our country will keep many a PhD writer busy in the coming years."

* Photo courtesy of Emily Rumsey, CNM

"...what I do know for sure is this vaccine marks an important step on what will be our road back to normalcy...For this I am indebted to the scientists and the science. There it is. The right word. The right descriptor. I am Indebted."

* Photo courtesy of Carlo Juarez-Sweeney, RN

...This year defined my life, all our lives, in ways we couldn't have dreamed back on December 31, 2019...I am a changed woman because of my project participants and readers. And because of my own Pandemic Story...

"...my main concern is that these patients who are left off the books, these essential workers and their families who are suffering the most dire consequences of this pandemic, will not get their fair share of the vaccination-pie."

* Photo courtesy of Anna Dykhuis, RN

"...This year I have grown a lot...I can’t say I would have been able to accomplish any of this without the time that the Pandemic had allotted me. I wrote my book during the George Floyd riots, which was not too far from where I live. The tension that struck the Twin Cities that week fueled my urge to complete my book while I had the chance... "

"...It’s an honor to share my Covid vaccine date with Kamala Harris and I agree 100% with her words from today: 'I urge everyone: When it is your turn, get vaccinated. It's about saving your life, the life of your family members, and the life of your community.' ..."

* Photo courtesy of Erica Shearer

"The Best Christmas Gift Ever! I feel grateful for science, joyful tears, and FINALLY some hope for 2021!"

* Photo courtesy of Sarah Schmitz Burns, MD

"I am overcome with gratitude for the many women and men that worked tirelessly to develop the Covid-19 vaccine and the thousands who selflessly volunteered in clinical trials. And I carry the memory of the more than 300,000 people who have died from this disease..."

* Photo courtesy of Justin Cohenour, MD

"...It feels like we are on edge of a better new normal. I've been lucky, while I work in healthcare my job has been malleable and able to provide a good balance between work and home. Many of my coworkers have had to sacrifice and continue to be stretched thin...Hang on folks...it's really happening!!!"

* Photo courtesy of Casey Gunderson

"I got it. In the hardest year of my career, a glimmer of hope. But a realization we need to move fast to get the most at risk patients."

* Photo courtesy of Frank Villaume IV, MD

"...I definitely think there is some good to be found in this. We have been reminded how important our personal connections are...People have also thankfully gone back to appreciating the hard working folks who really keep this crazy train running, delivery people, cashiers, people stocking the shelves at the grocery store, truck drivers, the list goes on..."

"Receiving the vaccine was an exciting event. I thought I would be emotional - I got teary eyed when I got the appointment! But the energy in the area was electric with excitement...Hooray for science! My second shot is scheduled for January 8th."

* Photo courtesy of Rebecca Wieben, CNP

"...Get the vaccine, go to a room for observation for 15 minutes. Chit chat with colleagues, wish everyone Merry Christmas and whatnot...And then - literally the next thing I do is go see someone dying of Covid."

*  Photo courtesy of Dr. Jason Wirtz

"Not a great picture. My hands were full and this was the best shot I got. I was happy and nervous. I didn't know I was getting it today. I was scheduled for another day this week. I started shaking while I stood in line...I felt excited, nervous, and relieved...But most importantly, there is a new wave of hope."

* Photo courtesy of Tenley Johnson, RN

"I received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on the evening of 12/18. It felt like the most Advent thing to do. The vaccine is like light breaking in to the darkness in the same way that I feel the birth of Christ is light breaking through the darkness...We cannot grow weary of doing the right things when we know the end is in sight."

* Photo courtesy of Dr Kirsten Morissette

"...What I miss the most in this whole thing is people's faces. For the past 9 months when we talk to another person we can only see their eyes...When we're on the other side of this, I hope we will take the opportunity to get the full picture of each others' lives. To smile, to laugh, to encourage people with our faces...that's what I can't wait for."

"...It’s been difficult to wrangle the massive waves of grief and anger that roll through me. I feel so frustrated by so many things right now...I’m learning that my best and most effective middle finger is to do what the people I’m angry at are too selfish and cowardly to do: Take action. Be available. Nourish. Help where I’m able..."

* Photo courtesy of JD Fratzke

...I can see myself as an old woman happening down this same street, maybe being driven by a grandchild, with silent tears rolling down my then wrinkled cheeks.

And that future child will know: Grandma Katie lived through The Pandemic. And my future love will pat my leg. And we will drive along...

"...I work with the underserved communities of the Twin Cities, those communities who have the most social determinants of health, the worst Covid-related health outcomes related to race, socio-economic status, and health history. Many, if not the majority, in my patient panel are undocumented immigrants and uninsurable..."

"...It makes me furious that despite almost 300,000 deaths, conspiracy continues to intoxicate the defiant and prodigiously ignorant, fortifying the feedback loop of lies and denial...I am however, still hopeful..."

* Photo courtesy of Carlo Juarez-Sweeney

"...And then, COVID arrived. People were so sad and anxious. People were losing loved ones and local businesses were struggling to remain open. So I decided to hang pom poms at local businesses and leave a note letting them know the community cared about them...The notes were all signed 'Your Friend in Fiber'..."

"...I carry the health insurance for my family and I know many others in the same situation. I’m trying to stay positive in thinking that people around me are making the right choices...the majority of us do not have sick time or PTO to fall back on...The importance seems to fall on completing our work rather than our health and safety..."

Sometimes I am able to tell a slew of important Pandemic Stories. And I am able to create Profiles & Instagram Stories! And I am able to create Instagram Posts!

And sometimes I am quiet.

And I have to live my own Pandemic Story.

"...this surge in positive COVID cases has taken a toll on us "Essential Workers." Normally, at this time of day, the bays are 3/4 empty...it's way too full. We could be facing layoffs. Should layoffs actually happen, who assists the Essential Workers? Scary, scary times..."

* Photos courtesy of Lauren Cox

...We've become a Community over the past 8 months and I credit all of you with seeing me, and us, through the Pandemic. Through the Pandemic Spring. Through the murder of George Floyd. Through the Pandemic Summer and Fall that brought Distance Learning, and now as we make our way through The Pandemic Surge and Winter...

"...This could have looked so different. Selfishness, ignorance, and outrageous leadership has led us straight into the wildfire of this virus...The fact that Minnesotans are going to gather around a Thanksgiving table when we are essentially out of resources to care for the Covid spike that will come from those dinners...I don't even know the right words for it.

* Photo courtesy of Emily Rumsey, CNM