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Wes Forgey has gotten two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and now he's back in the gym. The Vancouver, Washington, resident had stopped his regular exercise regimen to avoid contracting the coronavirus. But after two shots, Forgey, 62, visited the facility to find out what virus precautions gym management was taking.
He found that only a limited number of clients were permitted inside at one time, that social distancing and mask wearing were strictly enforced and that the equipment was meticulously cleaned between users. Those steps, along with his being vaccinated, gave him the peace of mind to return to exercising there.
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Courtesy Wes Forgey
The second vaccine “gives me some sense of relief,” says Forgey, who works in a health care facility. At work “we had positive patients and positive staff and many close calls. It was nerve-racking."
Cautiously venturing out
Millions of Americans have now received their first and second doses of one of the COVID-19 vaccines, and they're slowly figuring out how it will change their habits. People are emerging from nearly a year of social distancing and taking precautions and are weighing what they feel comfortable doing. Forgey, for one, is ready to dine in at some of his favorite restaurants, but he's still careful to follow coronavirus prevention protocols.
Many who are fully vaccinated remain wary. The science around how long vaccination protection will last and whether those who are vaccinated can transmit the virus is still developing. It remains vital to follow safety protocols, medical experts warn.
"I feel good that I got the vaccine,” she says. “I feel less anxious, more relaxed and a sense of relief that it's done."
