Today would’ve been our daughter, Laura Lustig’s 27th birthday.
You wouldn’t think there was any connection between Covid-19 and her death. After all Laura died Jan. 17, 2004—-nearly 16 years before our current pandemic.
But here’s the thing…
Laura was born with severe immune problems. Regular immunoglobulin transfusions helped. But Laura was also dependent on herd immunity. So it was critical that other children got vaccinations. Laura couldn’t be around anyone who was ill.
And then, one day, she got sick from a virus. A week later she was dead.
So, perhaps you can understand why Shelagh Lustig and I are always furious with anti-vaxxers. And we’ve begun to feel the same way about people who are determined to ignore CDC guidelines and want to treat this pandemic as if it’s just an inconvenience; rebel against shelter-at-home orders; not wear masks; etc.; etc.
I don’t mind that you’re risking your lives. But I do mind that you’re risking everyone else—particularly sweet souls like our Laura’s.
My apologies for missing this post last night. She is a beautiful young lady. I’m sorry not only for your family’s loss but the loss for everyone who’s life will now not be touched by hers. I can only promise to continue to follow the pandemic etiquette and urge others to do so. I will light candle for the Lustigs.
Thank you so much, Jams. Laura was a remarkable child. Despite a number of disabilities—in addition to her immune problems—she had a profound affect on so many of the people who knew her. In life, she was perhaps the most loved and liked person I’ve ever known. She really taught me how much difference one life can make.
John, I am truly sorry for your and Shelagh’s loss. The company I work for is doing the utmost to ensure that which ever vaccines get approve have enough vials to be made so that herd immunity can be generated by vaccine instead of waiting for enough people to contract the disease and maybe recover. IN the meantime here’s to Moderna, Pfizer, JNJ and others, May they develop effective vaccines against Covid 19!
Peter, thank you so much—both for your kind thoughts and for the work you and your company are doing. Yes, a safe and effective vaccine would be wonderful!!!