When I visited China through a graduate school program in 2006, I learned that the majority of the country’s underground water supply was contaminated. My doctor suggested I take booster shots for typhoid and Hepatitis A. That was an easy decision.

When I told my doctor last year that I taught in a school, he asked me about my prior tetanus shot. I didn’t remember. I knew it wasn’t in the past 10 years. Another easy decision.

When I request a flu shot every fall, I know that there are lots of people who either don’t want it or don’t like anything about vaccines.

When I read surveys that up to 50% of Americans will refuse the coronavirus vaccine, I don’t understand the mentality.

I grasp that a brand new vaccine may not be safe. I get it. But, there are scientific clinical trials across the world for a reason. Those trials must meet established metrics for government regulatory approval. But if one doesn’t trust the government, then who or what should regulate a drug?

When vaccines are safe for manufacturing and deployment, I think that’s when face coverings and 6-foot social distancing can taper off. It could occur later this year. It will probably happen in 2021.

When I think about the long-term future of the coronavirus, I recall a refrain from virologists and infectious disease specialists that COVID-19 has no end in sight.

As the leading U.S. public health guru recently said:

“I think with a combination of good public health measures, a degree of global herd immunity and a good vaccine, which I do hope and feel cautiously optimistic that we will get, I think when we put all three of those together, we will get control of this, whether it’s this year or next year… I don’t really see us eradicating it.”

– Dr. Anthony Fauci, July 22, 2020

The familiar refrain is that our society will probably take covid shots in the way we take flu shots. It will be offered to us either once a year or once every few years to maintain immunity for so long. The tetanus shot is good for a decade; and maybe a coronavirus vaccine can be built for a similar time frame.

If half of the country’s population refuse a vaccine, how is it truly possible to eradicate the coronavirus? Instead, we will adjust to life with another virus and we’ll adapt our ways to make the most of our time together.

Vietnam, with a population of 96 million, has 840 cases and 11 deaths.

Cambodia, with 15.2 million, has 248 cases and no deaths.

Among every Asian nation, these two countries with significantly less resources than the United States thwarted the coronavirus. (U.S. GDP is $67,426 per capita, compared to $2,740 in Vietnam and $1,614 in Cambodia.)

To a degree, you can blame politics. Vietnam is a socialist republic and Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy.

The bigger story is what they did.

Because of their experience with SARS in 2003 and the subsequent avian flu, Vietnam and Cambodia were prepared. The countries were experienced with epidemics.

History books will say that both countries acted early and fought the coronavirus with multiple tactics. These included contact tracing to three degrees of separation, empowering citizens to report suspected cases via a mobile app, exposure risks regardless of symptoms, extensive quarantining, mask wearing, and social distancing.

Is it too late for the U.S., if federal or state leadership has the willpower, to adopt and adapt some of those tactics to work here?

With fears of coronavirus infections gripping older Americans who are typically responsible for checking voters in and out of polling locations, communities across the country are asking high school students and young adults to embrace civic engagement and gain education credits. Poll workers can be as young as 16.

Lawyers, teachers, and other professionals who have the time and inclination are also asked to step up.

In the 2018 midterm elections, six of 10 U.S. poll workers were over age 60. That’s an indication of the importance. If there are less workers, there will be longer lines to get into polling locations. Understaffed locations may have to close.

Here are some quotes from seven states…

Maryland:

“We need 39,870 people for Election Day and early voting, and we don’t have anywhere near that. We have 13,021 vacant positions, 32% statewide… The hardest thing that we have to do in any election is to recruit election judges. And in this year, it’s impossible.”

– David Garreis, president of Maryland Association of Election Officials

Georgia:

“We lost poll workers. One, they didn’t want to take their health at risk. They weren’t sure about the protections that would be offered to them. And many of our poll workers that are traditionally poll workers are older. And that’s a health issue, but we also have new machines, and the technology is scary for some people.”

– Gayla Keesee, voter services chair for the League of Women Voters

Wisconsin:

“If you are a state, county or municipal employee, a teacher, a student or someone who is looking for temporary work, municipal clerks need you to step up and help right now.”

– Meagan Wolfe, elections director

North Carolina:

“When we don’t have enough workers, that’s when we get lines, and so trying to prepare ahead of time for people dropping out is something that we’re trying to do.”

– Sara Knotts, Brunswick County election director

Massachusetts:

“I believe that where there is chaos, there’s also opportunity, and this could be an opportunity for young people to understand that the baton must be passed.”

– Liz Miranda, State Representative

Texas:

“The pandemic has exacerbated challenges around financial stability, physical and mental health and family responsibilities for young people, as for everyone else… But for those who have the time and ability to volunteer, the process is relatively easy and has few requirements. In addition, almost all poll workers are compensated for their work, although the amount depends on your state and local jurisdiction.”

– Maya Patel, voting rights activist

Ohio:

“Now it’s time for those who have not participated in the past, it’s their turn to step up and administer democracy and make sure we all have a fair and efficient election.”

– Sherry Poland, Hamilton County election director