I want a “normal” summer.

I want to go to the beach or for walks on local trails and mingle with other Mainers.

I want to go to my favorite restaurants and bars with my friends.

I want my local businesses and shops to thrive.

I want to visit my grandchildren.

I want to travel.

I’m tired of this virus — and knew I could now do something about it. So, I got my two shots.

I’m pushing 70 years of age, and I’ve been  vigilant about wearing a mask in public places (though I hate it) and social distancing. But I wanted to be more active in curbing the spread of this virus.

My husband is a retired physician and started volunteering giving shots at MaineGeneral Health vaccination clinics. Being retired myself, I also jumped in and began volunteering at public clinics last February. Both of us try to work at as many clinics as our schedules will allow.

Yes, I guess it’s great that we are volunteering so much, but really, we’re selfish because we want that “normal” summer and to have it, the majority of people need to be vaccinated.

The vaccination volunteering has been quite wonderful. Everyone coming in has been very friendly and, frankly, grateful that they are getting their shots. The early clinics were, of course, for the oldest age cohort who showed great relief at finally being vaccinated. An added benefit at the MaineGeneral clinics is that the National Guard have been active and consistent volunteers, something which brought great joy to older residents and a large number of retired military personnel who came through the door.

It has been exciting to now see younger, working-age individuals appearing before or after their workdays. We have refined the systems of patient flow so well that people get in and out of the clinics in a very short time. Convenience is critical to attracting the younger, busy age groups. And attracting these age groups is critical to controlling the virus.

Nevertheless, the MaineGeneral Health clinics, like other clinics around the state, are seeing a drop-off in demand. Are we reaching the saturation point for vaccinations in the population? It’s true that Maine is one of the best performing states for vaccinating our residents but we have not yet reached critical optimal immunity. Are we experiencing vaccination and virus fatigue? Undoubtedly. Have we blasted through the willing receivers of vaccines and are now trying to reach the more cautious or reluctant Mainers? This is the most likely case.

Are you still undecided about vaccination? I urge you to talk with friends or family who have chosen to receive shots. Perhaps their reasons will seem reasonable and practical to you.

If you are a young 20-or 30-something and just don’t feel vulnerable to coronavirus, please note that recently two otherwise healthy people in their 20s tragically died of COVID in Maine. Additionally, the surge in hospitalizations we are seeing across Maine are among people aged 50 and younger, not the elder age group that we would all expect. And watch out for those nagging “long-hauler” post-COVID complications — they seem to plague young people as well as older individuals. In other words, the coronavirus touches us all.

Finally, you may find it difficult or inconvenient to get to vaccination clinics. Perhaps you live in rural areas where clinics have been few and far between. Some communities with large racial or ethnic populations have also been underserved for vaccinations. Your transportation options to distant mass-vaccination clinics may be limited. Your work or family schedule may not be flexible enough.

Help is on the way. There are now convenient walk-in clinics throughout the state where no appointments are required. The Maine CDC recently partnered with FEMA to provide vaccinations in rural areas through use of mobile vans. Special on-site clinics for workers in high-risk industries — such as hospitality, agricultural, retail, and shipbuilding—are being organized. Maine and other states have now moved into this new phase in the pandemic where creative methods are necessary to reach out to the final segments of unvaccinated residents.

We all want to return to a sense of normality. We want to emerge safely from our long COVID winter into the blue skies of a Maine summer.  The path back to regular family gatherings and summer vacation adventures is through the broad-based vaccination of Maine residents. We can get there with a little work by all of us. Please do your part.

See you at the beach!

Lisa Miller, of Somerville, is a former legislator who served on the Health and Human Services and Appropriations and Financial Affairs committees. She is a member of the Maine chapter of the national Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and their policy implications.

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