I work in the plumbing trade - one of the essentials. For the last year, as I enter multiple homes each day - I've worn a mask, gloves - kept my distance, didn't shake hands, communicated mightily with my eyes and muffled sounds and tried to maintain a compassionate view of the rest of the world - while maintaining a veritable arsenal of cleaners, disinfectants and alcohol swipes in my car at the ready. I've been vaccinated and haven't changed a thing and don't plan on it. Why: because those making the decisions above this virus, what it is and isn't, what protects us against it and doesn't it - are human beings. Thus fallible, confused, certain, awkwardly optimistic and profoundly ready to change their minds about it all.

Other than that - I'm doing alright.