Last week, I had someone in my home who was not vaccinated and who identifies as an anti-vaxxer.

He spent the entire evening explaining to me why he does not believe in the vaccine and how he will never, ever, get vaccinated.

But my self-care is very important – not just for me, but for the people I care about.

So, I am vaccinated and wear my mask in crowded environments because I feel it is my duty.

It doesn’t guarantee that I will never get COVID, but I can, in good conscience say that I tried not to inconvenience other people.

When I realized that self-care wasn’t selfish, and that it was my duty, making healthy choices everyday became easy.

And those healthy choices include getting vaccinated.

Maria Balais is a community contributor for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is the principal at The Balais Group, a community engagement consulting firm, and a graduate of Agnes Scott College.

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez