YES that happened!! Needles and Nerves.

 It was one of those extra hot days during the summer when my professor reminded Joan and I that we needed to take the covid 19 vaccines. We had travelled to another rather remote part of China to do our field  work and thought to ourselves we had 'escaped' the compulsory vaccine shot  by leaving Beijing. Our prof wasn't going to let that slide, (he would visit from time to time to check on us and some of his other projects). As a master's student, I understood the importance of staying healthy while in remote locations and especially during a pandemic, but as someone who has a severe fear of needles, the thought of getting vaccinated made my heart race and my palms sweat.

Joan and I pleaded with our professor to let us opt out of the vaccine, but he refused. I remember him saying, "Don't be silly girls, don't you believe in science?" He told us that it was our responsibility as members of the scientific community to set an example and do our part to ensure our own safety and the safety of those around us.

I knew he was right, but the thought of getting vaccinated was overwhelming. I couldn't stop thinking about the needle piercing my skin and the pain that would come with it. I tried to push the thought out of my mind, but it was always there, lurking in the back of my mind.

Despite our fear (or just my fear), Joan and I made our way to the vaccination site. As we got closer to the front of the line, my nerves began to get the better of me.

When it was finally our turn to get vaccinated, I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Joan was shaking and I could feel my own hands trembling. But as the needle went into my arm, I reminded myself of why we were doing this. We were doing it to protect ourselves and others, to ensure a safe and successful field work, and to do our part in ending the pandemic.

The pain was over quickly and soon we were done. As we walked out of the clinic, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. We had faced our fear and done something important for ourselves and our community.

I still have a fear of needles, but getting the Covid-19 vaccine made me realize that sometimes we have to push through our fears in order to do what is right.

With Love,

Your favorite scientist.