Thank you. Being optimistic without being realistic is dangerous, as we can see. Realistic optimism is feeling positive that we have the ability to do what we need to do to protect our communities and ourselves. I’m optimistic that I’ll survive the discomfort of a mask. I’m optimistic that vaccines can be effective if we understand they are never 100% and have to do our part. It’s hard to be so disconnected from people, but I’m optimistic that I can survive it and find other ways to connect rather than going to crowded places.

The danger has come from refusal by many to face the unpleasant and accept reality. We could have gotten out of this mess a lot sooner if we were able to all unite to hunker down against this dangerous virus. Being an adult involves sometimes facing the unpleasant and doing the work to be part of the solution.