Hey,
It's hard to believe that an entire year has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic "began." It was one year ago this week that most Americans hunkered down, thinking that we'd spend a few weeks at home before things could go back to normal. We stocked up on dried beans, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer, and we hoped that our President would find a way to become the leader we needed to guide us through the crisis.
In the last year, we've lost so much. We've buried over a half of a million parents, grandparents, partners, neighbors, friends, and children. We've lost our jobs and our small businesses. We've struggled to hold on, to stay safe and healthy. We've lost time with our family and friends, trading in hugs and in-person holidays for virtual weddings, birthdays, and funerals. We've tried to make the best of things, but many of us are still struggling.
Yet despite the last year of undeniable loss and sacrifice, we were also able to achieve great things. We built networks to take care of immunocompromised neighbors. We organized the highest voter turnout in history in an election unlike any other. We masked up and trusted scientists to work across borders to develop multiple safe and effective vaccines in record time.
And now, one year after the beginning of this pandemic, we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines hold the promise of bringing the pandemic to a close. As you read this, almost 10% of the population has been fully vaccinated with more doses being released into our communities every day. I hope that when it's your turn to be vaccinated, you will get your shot and do your part to help us put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us.
In the meantime, it's crucial that we all stay the course. We must continue to take care of each other by wearing masks, avoiding large social gatherings, and following CDC guidelines. These next few weeks may test our resolve but, with the end of the pandemic within reach, we owe it to each other to stay safe.
It's too early to know what each of us will take from this last year of shared experience. My hope, though, is that we all can remember what we did to take care of one another. If we hold onto the resilience and hope we found in this difficult year, I know we can overcome the obstacles ahead and build a world where we can all thrive together.
Thank you for all that you do,
Bob
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Bob Casey for Senate
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