Claudia Pegus,
Managing Director, Claudia Pegus Designs
Why did I take the vaccine?
Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a roller coaster of uncertainty and distress. Lives and livelihoods have been traumatised. The information on the disease, on the vaccines, on the side effects have even been conflicting at times. It was necessary that I did my own research, filtered through the misinformation, and concluded it was necessary to trust the science. I believe as a business entity, considering the nature of my business, it was my responsibility to be vaccinated. It is my way of protecting my staff, my customers, and the communities I interact within.
The disruptive nature of this virus is indeed challenging, a person can be asymptomatic and still transmit the virus. We all need to err on the side of caution and protect one another, of course by wearing the mask and socially distancing but the only solution on the horizon is being vaccinated. This pandemic has devastated lives and has also affected me on several levels–emotionally, physically and financially. By nature, I am a warm engaging person, who would typically greet a person with a hug; that is no more. I enjoy outdoor hiking, rigorous trails and would normally engage in regular physical activity with friends; that is no more.
To date, between 2020 and 2021, the doors to my business have been closed for four months and counting. If the lockdown continues to July, it will be six months closure in one year. The future is uncertain. The fastest way out is a shift away from tragedy to recovery. However, we can only do so if our daily numbers reduce, and the deaths minimised. Research shows that the vaccine can achieve this outcome. The more people vaccinated, the quicker we can return to some level of normalcy in our daily lives.
