I got my shot yesterday, the first of two shots of a vaccine that will apparently protect me from catching and/or spreading the COVID-19 coronavirus.

I consider myself fortunate to receive a shot as early as I have. I really (and fearfully) wasn’t expecting to begin the process until at least September (according to initial government reports), so when I was told I was now eligible, I jumped at the opportunity.

The fact there are vaccines for this virus has been the bright spot of this past year. The deadly COVID-19 will continue to spread until a large chunk of the population has been vaccinated. It will take time.

I will, apparently, receive the second shot required in 12 to 16 weeks. That’s a lot of time. And there is a lot going on with this virus. There is so much information, and misinformation, spreading as fast as COVID-19 itself. It is a fear that has been with us for more than one year.

The case count in Ontario has not flattened anywhere near amount that was (or is) expected, and the virus itself continues to mutate. In fact, medical officials here are talking about a third wave as a certainty and no longer a theory.

Of course I am concerned.

I live in the Canadian province, and in the city, that has the highest number of cases, the highest rates of transmission, and the highest death count. As well, there continues to be a helluva lot of chatter about who should receive the vaccine, or which vaccine they should receive, and how far apart they should receive it.

A lot of numbers have been bandied about but right now, the number I am focused on is when I will receive shot number two.

I know that by the time I receive my second dose, millions of other people will have received not only their first, but also a second shot. Efforts to get more and more people vaccinated have been increasing at a steady pace (finally).

Then, maybe, we can all get back to living life a little closer to normal.

Maybe.