The Talk: A Dialogue in the Time of COVID

Bob and Joe are sitting at a sunny patio table having coffee. Bob is vaccinated against COVID-19. Joe is not. Neither is wearing a mask.

Joe: I’m really getting sick of all this mask stuff.

Bob: Yeah, so am I.

Joe: I really wish this were over.

Bob: Yeah, so do I.

Joe: [laughing] You know one of the reasons I drink so much coffee at work is it gives me a good reason to take off my mask.

Bob: Have you thought any more about getting vaccinated?

Joe: Look, we’ve been through all that. I just don’t know about that stuff.

Bob: I got vaccinated, and I feel fine.

Joe: I know. I know, but… I just don’t know. I get it. I get that I should maybe do it for myself, but I hate needles.

Bob: I bet you’d hate a tube down your throat even more.

Joe: Christ! You’re getting grim.

Bob: Grim?! Joe, c’mon. People are dying. Look, I’ve been vaccinated. If more people would get vaccinated, we could all get rid of these damn things.

Joe: Well… I’m hoping that enough people get vaccinated that we reach this herd immunity, so I don’t have to.

[pause]

Bob: You do see the logical and ethical problem here, don’t you? You’re depending on other people to do something to take care of you without taking responsibility for it yourself

Joe: Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m just sick of this whole thing.

Bob: What? You think I’m not?

Joe: Look, Bob, I don’t want to be a jerk about this, but everyone is really bugging me, trying to make me feel ashamed of it.

Bob: Hey, I agree, that’s wrong. No one should be shamed into doing anything. I just hope that you will do it because, well, I don’t want you to get sick… I don’t want you to die.

Joe: But I spend all my time around people who are vaccinated so I’m probably not going to get it anyway.

Bob: Well, that’s the problem. That may have been true once, but with this new delta thing. I mean, I could have it and not show any symptoms of it and pass it on to you. That’s new, that’s the way this thing works.

Joe: Well, could you get tested?

Bob: Jesus! Why should I have to get tested!? I’ve been vaccinated! I’m going to be fine! And fro chrissake, if YOU want to STAY fine, get vaccinated!

Joe: Well, there’s no need to get angry with me.

Bob: Well, frankly, I am angry with you. I’m a little bit pissed that you’re expecting other people to do the work that everyone needs to do and that you’re gonna be pissed if you get sick. The thing is, the longer this drags out the more this virus is going to evolve into something deadlier and more contagious for everybody. It’s like putting out a campfire. Remember those Smokey the Bear commercials? You douse the campfire, you stir it, you douse it again. And if you miss any of those steps, it turns into a raging wildfire, and that’s what’s happening!

Joe: Well, even if I get sick, I hear there’s some new drugs that can help.

Bob: Are you listening to yourself? Are you really listening to what you’re just saying? There is a way where you can prevent it. Where you won’t need drugs. Or you won’t end up in the hospital. Or you won’t end up dying. Look, I really care about you, I really REALLY wish you would get vaccinated. If not for yourself, then for me.

Joe: But you’re vaccinated. I thought you said that makes you safe. So what difference does it make if it’s so good? Why should I do it for you?

Bob: Yes, the vaccine is great. but it doesn’t work 100% of the time. Nothing ever does. I could still get sick from it. My chances of getting really sick are a lot lower because I’ve been vaccinated, but they’re not zero, so yeah, I could still get sick from it, and what if I do get sick, and you’re the cause of it? How would you feel then?

Joe: *Sigh* I’m getting really tired of this.

Bob: Well, I’m getting tired of it too.

[long pause]

Joe: Okay. Look. I love you, and I will get vaccinated if you really want me to.

Bob: I really appreciate that, and I don’t care why you get vaccinated. Just do it. I don’t want to lose you.

Joe: Aren’t you being a little dramatic?

Bob: [scoffs] Look who’s talking!

Joe: All right, all right. I’ll stop at Walgreens on the way home. I’ll even show you my card when I get home.

Bob: [quietly] Thank you… That really means a lot to me.

Joe: Well, I do love you. That’s why I married you.

Bob: I love you too. So, see you this evening? Cooking or dishes?

Joe: [heading to the door with his bag] Cooking.

Bob: [clearing the table] Okay, fine. Though I hate dishes. [smirks] See you this evening. I love you.

[After a slight hesitation, they kiss.]

Joe: [looking back before heading out the door] I love you too.

Bob sits down, sighs deeply, and begins to cry softly…