Covid-19 made its first appearance in December of last year in Wuhan, China, and by March it stopped the world in its tracks. The virus spreads quickly and unexpectedly, and regardless of governmental restrictions, the reported number of cases has surpassed 70 million. But things are looking up in terms of managing the disease, because in just nine months, the Pfizer vaccine has been developed and is now being administered to health care workers.

“I feel like every new vaccine or medicine has its precautions,” teacher Regina Shikwana said. “But I believe that in this day and age, scientists and doctors know enough about what works and what doesn’t.”

As cases continue to surge with lessened social restrictions, the vaccine has been released just in the nick of time. The death toll in the U.S. has topped nearly a quarter million, and officials believe that with symptoms being reduced in those who get the vaccine, that number will go down, as it’s often the effects of symptoms that lead to the hospitalizations and deaths.

“I think it’s great that the vaccine came out only after it was completely ready,” senior Brooke Budd said. “It would be really unfortunate if everyone got a rushed vaccine that didn’t work and couldn’t help anyone.”