I gave birth two months before the pandemic began, so nearly my entire experience of being a parent has been tainted by existential panic. My mother, who is my only source of childcare, nearly died from COVID-19 in the summer of 2020 after getting infected by my brother’s children. My nephew, who is 4, has had mysterious seizures following asymptomatic infection. My vaccinated father — a doctor who heroically cared for COVID-19 patients at the height of the pandemic in 2020 — had a symptomatic breakthrough case of COVID-19 in the summer of 2021 and exposed us all. Fortunately, my daughter did not get infected at that time, but living with the constant fear of infection, having to isolate while awaiting test results, and seeing the long-term effects of the disease on my mother and nephew, have made me take this disease incredibly seriously. This panic is affecting students as well. The day classes began this semester I received an email from a student who was on oxygen in the hospital. She later informed me that doctors were not sure she would make it to the end of that week. She has three children of her own. Until my child is vaccinated, I continue to live with the same fear of infection that many have had the privilege to leave behind when they got vaccinated. I do not have the luxury to return to normal. I must remain as vigilant as I was throughout 2020 because my child remains vulnerable. When the university reneged vaccination requirements, and when the college stopped sending information about infection rates and safety measures, I lost confidence that the health and safety of my family — and that of other colleagues and students with young children to care for or medical vulnerabilities — are priorities. The daily struggle of being a parent during this time needs to be taken seriously for people to best meet the demands of the job.