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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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com