As soon as I got my first dose of vaccine, I felt like I was wearing a super suit, able to repeal villainous viruses and reflect airborne particles.

Yes, I know. I need a second dose of vaccine to be fully protected. But there was something about knowing my immune system was kicking into action that made me feel a little reckless.

Like I could tear off my mask and hug people indiscriminately. (I refrained.)

But it was my cousin Theresa’s birthday, and her wife, Janet, wanted to take us out to celebrate. I hadn’t been inside a restaurant in a year, though I’d sat on outdoor patios.

We wore masks and sat on one side of the teppanyaki table, an empty chair and plexiglass divider between us and other diners. 

I felt panicky at first. But it was fun, watching the masked chef set onions on fire and slice them, his knives a blur.

I see other people venturing back to a semblance of normalcy now they’re fully vaccinated. Dinner parties. Vacations. Visiting grandkids.

Are we taking too many chances too soon?

We’re getting mixed messages. Gov. Doug Ducey ordered schools to reopen and lifted occupancy restrictions on businesses. Spring training is on.

Yet only 13.5% of Arizonans are fully vaccinated and just more than 20% have received at least one dose. 

We can’t let down our guard yet, even if we think we’re wearing super suits.

People who are fully vaccinated can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We can get together with unvaccinated people from one other household.

But the CDC recommends we keep wearing masks, keeping our distance, avoiding crowds and delaying travel.

Dining indoors poses the biggest risk, so I won’t do that again for a while.

But I’ll hug people who are vaccinated because I’ve missed that most.

They feel even better in my super suit.

Reach Karina Bland at [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @KarinaBland.

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