Next week I am going to a baseball game…..an actual live baseball game….in a crowded ballpark. I am going despite the advice of Dr. Fauci and the other naysayers.

I also go to my gym daily without wearing a mask as well as many local restaurants, the archery range, the local grocery stores, and whole host of other activities that I consider necessary to normalize my life.

I have been fully vaccinated since March and was told, at the time, that by getting vaccinated my life could return to normal. I am holding all to that promise. Statistical evidence tells me that my chances of getting COVID are about 1 in 5,000 because I am vaccinated and even if I do contract it my symptoms will be relatively mild. I am voluntarily and willingly accepting the risk.

Like it or not, COVID is not going away in the foreseeable future. Like the seasonal flu I suspect that it will be with us for many years to come. It will no longer be a “pandemic” but an “endemic.” However, there comes a point where we have to learn to live with it without changing our lives and traditions.

While vaccines will probably evolve, and I suspect there will be several boosters in my future, I refuse to get into the ridiculous conspiracy debates and I am certainly not going to ask my cat’s veterinarian for deworming medication for myself. The only side effect from the vaccination was a slightly sore arm for a day or so and, unless something apocalyptic is reported tomorrow, I am not going to worry about future concerns founded on nothing more than a pile of steaming manure.

The majority of serious cases in the hospital are among the unvaccinated and I accept that not everyone will get the vaccine for whatever reason. I wish them luck but, not to sound cold, it’s not my problem. I intend to live my life like I did before the pandemic.

My best advice is this:

If you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated and, if you are vaccinated, live your life without fear governing you. Go to ballgames, church, concerts, and wherever else you want to go.

As for masks…..I will only wear one when forced to do so.

Finally, as for the fear mongers, nay sayers, conspiracy theorists, Dr. Fauci, and those who want to somehow limit our lives, remember the immortal words of Clark Gable to Vivien Leigh:

“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”