Letters From Leton: They Will Be Here Soon (I Hope)

You have planned a family event – getting ready to head to the ball game or maybe start a meeting, and you are waiting… Waiting for that person (or family) who always seems to be just a “little late” to the event.

In our family, we play a little game with our beloved family members who suffer from “tardiest maximus” by telling them the event starts a half-hour or so earlier than it actually starts.

They still often show up 15 minutes late.

As we read the headlines lately, we see that many folks are “late to recognizing the seriousness of COVID-19 and to wearing masks.

But being late to thinking seriously about disease in America is not new.

The Smallpox Vaccine was invented and used in England in 1796 by Edward Jenner. Yet, it was almost 150 years later that America was finally rid of the disease.

Why, you may ask? Why suffer for 150 years with a preventable disease? Because we wanted to. Put another way, because many individuals resisted taking the vaccine, and collectively we resisted fully mandating the vaccine for the public.

Today we see similar approaches with hesitancy to get the flu vaccine.

Which brings me to the 30,000 brave souls who are now taking part in the next phase of the COVID-19 Vaccine testing. 30,000 American Heroes.

Compare those 30,000 heroes to others who refuse to wear masks, social distance or even get a flu shot. Will those folks be willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Even though some family and friends may be late to the “Prevent COVID-19 Party,” they are finally getting there – realizing that the health of their family, friends and neighbors is more important than most of the other things we are asked to give up (even including football games!)

I just hope these folks get there (realizing importance of COVID-19 prevention) sooner rather than later – before the party is over for all of us.

Stay safe.

– Leton

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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.