Happy Day after Christmas, everyone. On October 24, I posted a blog Spreading a little Hope during Hopelessness that I prayed would reassure people that there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, and we will get through 2020 and this awful COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Fred Collins, the man who inspired the October post, inspired me again in his Christmas letter, and I’d like to share a portion of his letter with you.
Dr. Collins writes:
2020 was a year of surprises. Nobody anticipated that spiky invisible invader. Everyone dresses as though you are working in a hospital to go to a grocery store. Better yet, stay “safer at home.” That surprise is still with us, but will soon come to an end in 2021.
In reviewing the biology of the new immunizations against COVID-19, I was pleasantly surprised at the great leap forward humankind made in vaccine development. The AstraZeneca plan to add a 13-genetic base pair segment of the COVID-19 genetic code to a weak “cold” virus genetic material was 21st century biotechnology at its best. The segment is made in a laboratory and sliced and diced into the unsuspecting virus as a carrier of the true Achilles’ heel of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the spike protein.
Pfizer and Moderna did one better. They took the minute 13-base-pair genetic material (messenger RNA) and mixed laboratory-created naked genetic material into a fatty emulsion. When injected into mammals, the fat droplet is absorbed into our cells and the mRNA directs our cells to make spike protein. Our body’s immune system sees the spike protein as a foreign protein and makes specific antibodies to eliminate it from our body.
I was so surprised by this advancement that when a Moderna vaccine trial was looking for local volunteers, I jumped at the chance. I was lucky and received the vaccine the first week in August and the first week of September. My shoulder swelled up and was sore for three days for each shot. Everybody should get one of these new “novel” immunizations. It is not your father’s Oldsmobile.
The rest of Dr. Collins’ letter is personal, but I had to share his scientific optimism. This has been a lonely time as many of us spend the holidays without our families. I received some lovely Christmas gifts this year, but this letter was perhaps the most appreciated.
In the meantime, I’ll take walks, work on my lung capacity, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds me. Wishing you a safe end to 2020. Onward to 2021! ~ Donnell
Thank you, Donnell, for sharing. We hang on to every little bit of starlight we can grab.
I’d rather spread hope than otherwise, Candy. Thank you.
Hugs dear one!
Thanks for sharing Donnell.
I too am optimistic. Thanks for sharing Donnell.
Hope you have been well…..Les too.
Write on.
Thank you for sharing.
Kathy, Meg, and Lena, my absolute pleasure to share this valuable information. Sure could use a little good news, and I felt this was it. Stay well! xoxo
That letter should be mandatory reading for everyone. Thanks for sharing, Donnell!