There are many wonderful things about living in a small town.

Yesterday, driving into town to pick up some lunch, I heard President Biden on the radio saying it was now okay for people like me – over 65 and with diabetes – to get a third vaccine, a booster. I was driving by our Walgreen’s Store.

When Walgreen’s (then Rite-Aid) bought out our wonderful small pharmacy,. I was sad. No more personal service, no more being known, no more pharmacist who dropped off the medicine on her way home if you were sick.

But I was wrong. I still miss Bridget, but the people at Walgreen’s have taken great care of me in this year of pandemics and surgeries.

But people are still people and people, no matter who they work for and they crave community. I’ve learned in recent years that people are good, given the chance.

I got to know the Walgreen staff, they take good care of me. They are always available, courteous, and helpful.

In a small town, a community can still grow and thrive even in a giant corporate chain store.

I was driving by Walgreens yesterday around 3 p.m. when I heard the news on the radio and called them. They answered on the second ring. Ailee picked up the phone. “This is Katz,” I said, offering my birthdate. “Does this mean I should get the booster?”

“Hey, Jon, ” she said. “Yes, we just got the authorization. I”m checking when you got the second shot. It was more than six months ago. Come on bye whenever you want. You don’t need an appointment. We were going to call you.”

Five minutes later, I was sitting in the patient’s chair getting my booster shot.  Every health care worker I talk to tells me horror stories of rude and angry people refusing to get vaccinated once, let alone three times. and yelling at them and calling them names It is hurtful for them.

They feel abused and sometimes intimidated by the pointless and stupid rage they encounter.

Every few weeks, I drop off a bag of chocolate candy so the staff can eat something sweet and feel better. They often need a touch of appreciation. I never forget to thank them for what they do.

The shot took about five seconds, was painless, and there were no after-effects. I feel good getting this booster. I can move about more freely, I feel safe, not only for me, for the Amish kids and Mansion residents and Bishop Maginn refugees that I come in contact with and can’t infect now.

Sometimes, I just need to step outside of myself and think of other people. I don’t wish to be an ass.

Pre Fox News and Facebook, I’ve had vaccines all of my life, from polio to the flu, and no one got angry or insulting or upset.  We felt fortunate. Our country is in a fever all of its own. I was so glad to call up a big Walgreens, to be recognized, and taken care of so well. In just a few minutes after the authorization, I had my shot and was on the way home. I just felt somewhat relieved.

I told the pharmacist I was grateful to live in a country that could make me so safe and know me and what I needed.  I thanked her. I apologized for so many of my countrymen and women, choosing ignorance and grievance over the safety of all the people around them. We are, in many ways, selfish and lazy people.

I thank God they were not around when Dr. Salk invented his polio shots, it was too late for my cousin, but not too late for me.