This time last year, we were contending with the reality that the summer of 2020 was a bust. We had just started the school year, virtually in most cases. Yet hopes were high as we, as a nation, eagerly anticipated the arrival of a vaccine that would herald the end of this pandemic.<\/p>\n
As a doctor of 20 years, I anticipated some vaccine hesitance. It is only natural to be wary of the new. I did not, however, anticipate the sustained degree of difficulty it has taken to get even half of South Carolinians vaccinated. We have been at that plateau for months.<\/p>\n
This anomaly to me underscores the general loss of confidence in institutions, as well as the tribalism that pervades our society.<\/p>\n
As a physician, I honor my oath. I do not question how you came to be at the state you were in. I do not modify my practice based on how well you stuck to preventive medicine guidelines. But as a human, there is an emotional cost that I and my colleagues suffer as we contend with crowded emergency departments, frustrated patients and overworked support staff. And it is so unnecessary.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n While this state recently ranked as the very worst in the country for the rate of new COVID-19 cases, the numbers \u2014 at least for now \u2014 don\u2019t appear to be climbing anymore. https:\/\/t.co\/ZKVk8j7a43<\/a><\/p>\n — The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) September 21, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n