For a few short moments before the summer of 2021, we were on the brink of returning to what felt like normal. News outlets reported that vaccination rates in the United States were rising, Covid cases were decreasing, and even the mask mandates were being lifted. Restaurants were fully opening, and we could begin planning those vacations we put on pause a year ago. Friends and family could join one another and give those long gracious hugs that we all loved and missed. The sense of safety and security that we once had seemed to be finding its way back to us.
This excitement, however, was short-lived. The arrival of the Delta variant and many individuals’ hesitancy to get the vaccine resulted in a surprising rise in Covid-19 infections. This spike in infections continued to create hurdles, especially mental health challenges for people worldwide. The uncertainty of not knowing when or how the pandemic will end was stressful and confusing, especially as new variants surfaced and caused changes in guidelines, with which many young adults had trouble keeping up.
Although most adults in the U.S, 77%, according to KFF, are now vaccinated for Covid-19, it is still important for young adults to be educated and in the loop when it comes to Covid vaccines. Generation Vaxxed (#GenVaxxed) is a campaign powered by Young Invincibles to inform young adults about COVID-19 and the vaccine to dispel information, connect them with resources, and encourage fact-based decision-making. Knowledge is critical to helping people get vaccinated; we meet people where they are to help them make an informed decision.
Like many other young people, I was skeptical when the vaccine first came out. After I took time to research and learn more about Covid-19 and the vaccine, I became much more confident and chose to get vaccinated. As a 27-year-old at high risk because of my asthma, I wanted to get vaccinated and boosted to protect myself. I had already been sick with Covid-19 and lost my ability to taste food for over two weeks, and I was worried. Being vaccinated makes me feel safer when I’m in public and allows me to feel more comfortable when I am around friends and family. I still wear my mask to protect myself and those around me because I still have some anxiety regarding Covid-19.
In the summer of 2022, I joined the #GenVaxxed campaign, and since then, I’ve been able to talk to young adults about their thoughts on the pandemic and the vaccine. Going into the community and providing resources and information for people has been incredibly eye-opening. Some young adults are still hesitant or distrustful of the vaccine. We must meet young people where they are and share as much information as possible. We can rarely change how someone views the vaccine with just one conversation. Still, it’s essential to assure them vaccines do not only protect you from getting sick but also protect you from hospitalization, serious complications, and death.
Being consistently uncertain about the future of the pandemic can make it challenging to decide on what is best for you. Not knowing what information you can trust makes you want to avoid the situation as a whole. The pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, for so many of us. According to Mayo Clinic, “surveys show a major increase in the number of U.S. adults who reported symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia during the pandemic.” Students across the country have had to deal with so many changes and challenges at once and still maintain a balanced student life.
“The most difficult thing with Covid was balancing school and safety. Once my high school started to be in-person again, I was very scared to go back due to personal health reasons,” said a college student I spoke with. “It took a big toll on my mental health because I had to both learn in a weird hybrid environment and keep myself safe. Not only was I trying to get good grades while I had my health issues going on, but I also had to deal with the repercussions if I got Covid. I think so many people were quick to jump the gun on getting back to normal life, that it made it more difficult to transition when I wasn’t ready.”
The repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic have been far-reaching. In addition to our physical and mental health impacts, we see firsthand how it has altered our social lives and day-to-day work. As we work to find our new normal, we must protect ourselves. Being vaccinated is one way to protect those in your community. Still, there are other precautions that can be taken, such as washing your hands regularly, wearing your mask, getting your flu shots, keeping a social distance from others and staying home when you are sick. We can protect ourselves, so let’s each do our part.
I’m proud to work on the #GenVaxxed campaign that works to be a reliable source of information for young adults to make sure they know the facts. We spread messaging, tools, resources and more primarily on social media, although we also conduct text banks, pass out accurate literature, door knock, and table at community events. No matter the medium, #GenVaxxed doesn’t use scare tactics; we are a group of engaged young adults attempting to inform and educate other young adults. We all know that fear spreads faster than facts, so it is best to inform yourself about the virus and the vaccinations. This will go a long way to eliminate any myths or concerns and build resilience in your community.
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Raquael Logan is the Midwest Outreach Coordinator, and she travels across Chicago and Illinois to share accurate information about the Covid-19 vaccine as part of YI’s #GenVaxxed Campaign.