When I was in fifth grade, I just knew I wanted to be a nurse. I read every women’s biography in my elementary- and middle-school libraries, including those about nurses such as Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, and Dorothea Nix.
Then came reality. I realized that maybe I couldn’t handle the sight of blood nor seeing people in pain. So I went after my real passion, writing. Encouraged by my English teachers, off I went to Jacksonville University, graduating with a communications degree. My path unexpectedly took me into health care, although not as a clinical professional but as someone who supports those who are.
No. 1 fan and worrywart
My whole life, I have been a huge admirer of nurses. I have always had the deepest respect for caregivers in every discipline. Those who are called to take care of the sick and hurt are my heroes.
I wonder, though, now that our community is more than 17 months deep into the pandemic, how local caregivers are able to soldier on. Yet they do, selflessly.
I worry about them every day. I’m a worrier, a fretter, and a naturally maternal soul. They don’t need me to worry, but I do.
As they continue to fight a seemingly endless battle, I wonder how some of them must feel about the COVID-19 surge in our community, knowing there is now a vaccine, a possible light at the end of the tunnel, what many hoped for in 2020 that became reality in early 2021. How they might feel showing up for their 12-hour-plus shifts to fight the fight, knowing that a lot of people won’t get the vaccine or even consider it.
Apolitical but not unbiased
I have always seen myself as apolitical. When someone starts to talk politics, I tend to shut down. My mama taught me there are three things to never discuss: money, religion, and politics.
Still, when I see the daily COVID numbers, I wish the choice to be vaccinated or not wasn’t so political. Everyone says they do their own research and have come to their own conclusion. There are so many unproductive conversations on every social media channel.
Though I am apolitical, I am not unbiased. I work for a mission-based health system. I love being part of meaningful work that is bigger than myself. I am passionate about what I do. That’s probably why I just can’t understand why people aren’t getting the vaccine. Do they not understand that doing so could protect themselves and our community, protect their own children but also those who aren’t old enough to get vaccinated or are vulnerable due to cancer or a heart defect? Could protect even healthy children and teens who are eligible?
I am thankful my husband, son, mother and I were able to get vaccinated. We gave our son the option to choose and didn’t push; he chose full vaccination.
I have been in healthcare marketing and communications for more than 30 years. I have worked on multiple public health crises in my career, including H1N1 and Ebola. Yet, I never could’ve predicted how devastating COVID-19 would turn out to be.
So I am worried. Whomever you trust or don’t, trust me when I say there is no conspiracy among doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and caregivers who are on the frontlines. We need to keep them safe by getting fully vaccinated. Not only them but the children who count on us as adults to make decisions that could protect them from harm.
I am old enough to remember Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. To quote the show’s host, Fred Rogers, a teacher and very wise man: “Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.” I agree. Will you step up for children?
About the Author
Born in Maryland but primarily raised in Northeast Florida, “Navy brat” Vikki Arnold Mioduszewski is the mother of 19-year-old Samuel. She has been married to Bill — a retired U.S. Marine and her Gulf War penpal — for nearly 26 years. She has worked in marketing and communications for more than 30 years, primarily in health care. She was blessed to be a SAHM for the first four years of Samuel’s life, balancing playdates at local parks and orchards, MOPs, the co-op preschool, gymnasium, and YMCA pool with freelancing for multiple clients in Yakima, Washington. The family relocated to Northeast Florida in 2005. Vikki currently serves as Manager of Marketing and Communications for Wolfson Children’s.
