Butterflying

The opposite of languishing seems to be butterflying. Butterflying (as I define it) is that feeling a butterfly must feel when it leaves its cocoon for the first time -- a bit hesitant at first, followed by euphoria at being free to fly. It is exhilarating.

It is also more than a bit overwhelming! Though the CDC has said those fully vaccinated no longer need to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, many cast judgmental looks or asides upset that people are not following the rules the way they are following them. Comments such as "don't go there -- only 15% of the people wear masks!" are common, and exhausting as clearly the vast majority are not wearing masks.

It is so clear that vaccines work. The vast majority of new cases are in people who did not receive a vaccine, or who is only partially vaccinated. The ones who test positive who are fully vaccinated are beyond rare (happens in .6% of cases, meaning it does not happen in 99.94% of cases). Yet, there are still those who don't believe in it.

Meanwhile, life is opening up again. Masks are not required in most (if not all) states and the numbers are still low. In New Jersey, daily recoveries are FIVE times new infections. Over 70% of adults in New Jersey have received at least one dose.

So what can we do?

Music in the Park returned this week to Lawrenceville -- huge crowds, hardly any masks.

Last week Lawrenceville Main Street held their Sumer Arts Festival -- again, very few masks.

Unlike last year, proms and graduations took place.

Bruce Springsteen's show opens tonight on Broadway, the rest of Broadway is returning in the fall.

Airplanes are full.

People are having parties and celebrations.

Presbyterian churches are starting to open their doors again (Catholic churches barely closed their doors).

We are making progress and our corner of the world feels more hopeful.