A news link pushed me off the fence.

Last week, a friend and fellow journalism enthusiast sent a link of CNN reporter Sara Sidner fighting back tears while talking with a colleague about covering a news story of a family holding funeral services for their parents, who died of COVID-19 within days of each other, in a parking lot.

My friend and I both worked for the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma in Seattle, Wash., and often exchange news about news.

The toll of her work is visible on Sidner’s face as she chokes up, quietly shaking her head as her colleague, morning program host Alisyn Camerota, commends Sidner on her reporting of numerous stories about the pandemic and its impact and acknowledges how hard such stories can be.

“We appreciate all the heart you bring to this every single day,” Camerota said.

However, it is Sidner’s reflection on what Juliana Jimenez Siesma, who speaks for her family in Sidner’s news story, said that struck a personal chord.

“Listen to this family. Do whatever you can to keep this from killing your family members and your neighbors and your teachers and your friends,” Sidner said. “You have to do your part.”

In the wake of the story and Sidner’s words, I committed to waiting my turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Needles and I are not friends, and although I annually get a flu shot as written about in past editorials, I still must ready myself to do so. Mental preparations usually take some time, approximately most of the year from the date of one flu shot to the next.

Therefore, 21 to 28 days to prepare for a second shot to follow the initial vaccination, honestly, makes my palms sweat.

Don’t get me wrong. My plan was always to get vaccinated. At some point. In the far(thest) future. To do so benefits us all.

Now, however, with the words of Sidner and Siesma resonating in my mind, I pledge to register with a local hospital to get my shots.

Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network each offer online registration through MyLVHN and MyChart, respectively. Appointments also can be scheduled by phone at LVHN at 484-884-1767. Help and information about MyChart is available by calling 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).

Health care workers, first responders, including police officers, firefighters and rescue personnel, residents and staff of skilled nursing and long-term care facilities are among those who will receive the vaccines first.

Vaccines for the general public are coming.

I registered.

Now, it is a matter of waiting my turn.

April Peterson

editorial assistant

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press