Staying Apart, Together: I'm so excited for the grandparents

Now that my parents have been fully vaccinated they are finally going see their grandchildren. 

For a year, the coronavirus preyed on the vulnerable and spread uncontrollably throughout the U.S., upending daily life. It prompted experts to repeatedly warn that simple joys like a family holiday gathering could "kill grandma."

But now, nearly half of Americans over the age of 65 are fully vaccinated, and heartfelt reunions are happening across the nation. And even if it's not your family, it's impossible not to feel the joy radiating from photos and videos of people reuniting.

Of course, getting a vaccine is not a “free pass” to “put aside all the public health measures,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, in a CNN town hall in January. But the new CDC guidance is promising for grandparents who have felt the consequences of over a year of isolation. 

Here is one of many stories that brought some happy tears to my eyes this week. 

Doris Rolark blew air kisses to her mask-wearing grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they dropped off presents on her 78th birthday last month. After the CDC guidelines were announced, she resumed hugs.

“It was great. I’m getting excited to see the rest of them,” said the Middletown, Ohio, woman, who has three grandchildren and 16 great-grandkids. “I hope it’s going to be better now."

Read more stories and see more photos here. I wish happiness for any grandparents that are safely seeing little ones. And hope those still waiting for a vaccine will get it soon. 

Today's quarantine stories

My wonderful colleagues David Oliver and Charisse Jones reported on an important story about transgender people who have transitioned during the pandemic who are faced with returning to the office. Here is an excerpt: 

For Jess Mayer, it was the mirrors. Any time she saw her reflection, she didn't recognize the person. And she resented herself.

"It just got so overwhelming that I had to reprioritize my own personal health," Mayer, 34, says.

So she did something about it. While working from home during the COVID-19 health crisis, Mayer came out as transgender. "Not being in the office, and being able to take the time at home to find, discover ... and evolve yourself, I think it's a unique opportunity to begin that transition," she says.

Those who experimented with gender identity behind masks and screens during the pandemic may soon be returning to the workplace as the rollout of vaccines ramps up and businesses reopen.

But will workplaces be ready to provide a tolerant, safe environment for employees who now identify differently?  

"I would hope so," says Sasha Buchert, senior attorney with Lambda Legal, a national organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of the LGBTQ community. "There's been a lot of work in the last few years to work with companies to create inclusive workplaces," she explains, adding, "I'm cautiously optimistic that companies and organizations will be ready for folks coming back that have transitioned during the pandemic."

You can read the full story here. 

Today's reads

• If you were as obsessed as I was by the saga of the Ever Given, a huge cargo ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal, you probably are wondering how digging and tiny tug boats managed to rescue it. Here's exactly how it happened. 
• How is your bracket looking? Our NCAA reporters offer takeaways from the Elite Eight games. 
• Gift card scams are on the rise. Here's how to spot them.
• Everything you need to know about "Godzilla vs. Kong" the big monster showdown movie coming to theaters and HBO Max this weekend. 
• Enjoy a moment of zen with beautiful photos of the best riverwalks in the U.S., according to our readers. 

Today's pet

This cat on Zoom really is a cat, and not a lawyer with a kitten filter. 

"My pets have loved having me and my husband around all day. The extra treats, pets and scratches during the day have them completely spoiled," says Jen Skjerven of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. "Sometimes, however, Calypso, our 17 year-old cat, wants in on meetings. Here’s she’s trying to help me schedule a meeting. I think the meeting is to serve her a catnip toy and to cuddle. It’s all about the cuddles."

All meetings would be better with pet cuddles, in my opinion. 

That's all for this Tuesday. Thank you so much for reading. The newsletter will be back in your inbox Saturday morning. Until then you can send coping tips, pet pictures and anything else on your mind to stayingaparttogether@usatoday.com. Stay safe, stay well. 

All my very best,

Kelly Lawler