Let's get ready to epid...I'm coming back!

***Cue loud music

Ok, millenials. Did any of you say that while singing the song, “Let’s get ready to rumble” and then cue the loud music like a pep rally? Anyone? Bueller? I had a flashback to my great Lovington NM highschool in 1999 when they introduced the athletes at the beginning of the season.

Well, that’s my attempt to say I’m coming back. And, I think epidemiology deserves loud music and pep rallies - especially right now.

In all honesty, I was kindof hoping this whole pandemic junk would fizzle out and I would come back after a summer break (which was lovely and needed) to talk a little about epidemiology and a lot about the load of books I read over the summer and bird watching I did. (I read some great books and can’t wait to share those with you.)

However, that is not the case sadly. Delta is just dumb. So I’m coming back to help navigate this 4th wave which, unfortunately, does not look good. I don’t need to tell you that though. Y’all, I’m sure you feel the same as I do - this.is.just.frustrating. Plus, like many of you, I have kiddos going back to school. Frankly, I’m nervous about this part and what we are seeing with how incredibly contagious Delta is, how it is affecting children, and how it can spread even among vaccinated. The good news is the vaccines work still! We just need more people to get them, including anyone eligible (like my 12 year old who finished her 2 doses already).

So, let’s talk through that. Let’s navigate masking, Delta, variants, school, church (for you church leaders, I’ll have posts specifically for you), justice, and more on the global pandemic. I missed you and look forward to reconnecting and walking through this next phase of the pandemic. One thing I’ve learned this summer (after reading a great book on epidemics) is that epidemic curves always come down. This next wave will too. Web-peeps, it will get better.

Some logistical notes:

1. I’m going to still write mainly on Substack and then post to FB, Twitter, and Instagram. It is so much easier to write on Substack with links, sources, pictures, etc. It will come to your inbox when you subscribe.

2. I will ONLY look and answer comments and messages through Substack. If you are a paid subscriber, you get access to comment and interact with the other subscribers and myself on Substack (which is WAY more friendly and non-stress-inducing than FB comments - can I get an amen!). =) If finances are a barrier to becoming a paid subscriber, please let me know. I’ll gladly send you a gift subscription. Finances should never be a barrier for safe community that is kindof hard to find on other social media platforms. You can subscribe for the free version (that is emailed to you) or the paid version for commenting/messages. Remember the science is always free!

3. Did you miss my husband’s series this summer on faith, evangelicals, and COVID? It was really good and challenging. If you’ve had a hard time in 2020-2021 with how church/evangelicals/etc have responded poorly to the pandemic, go read through those. I think you will find them encouraging. Go here to find them.

4. My hubs is also going through the book of Luke in the Bible as more of a devotional-type writing. Go here to catch up on those if you want.

Friends, I look forward to coming back and interacting with you again. Be encouraged today. Let’s walk through this together once again.

On a personal note, I want to also give you an update on how my summer went and how wonderful a break was in some upcoming posts. Thank you for your patience and understanding about how beneficial this break was to me after what felt like a gauntlet year of new friends (that’s you all!) mixed with threats mixed with ever-changing-data mixed with…I appreciate your understanding in the summer break!

-Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist