Mitch Rackovan, 32, said he feels a similar anger, but toward unvaccinated Americans. Last year, his son Alex had to have a drive-by third birthday party. After Rackovan and his wife got vaccinated in April, they were able to host two normal parties for him this year.

About 25 guests came to the couple’s Cleveland-area home on each of two days to celebrate with Mario and Luigi-themed cupcakes and balloons. Alex received a giant, stuffed Mario as a gift. The gathering felt almost normal.

Now Rackovan said he feels like the ability to give his two unvaccinated children meaningful in-person experiences is in question. His family had been visiting relatives and friends and spending time at county fairs. They planned to take the kids to a bounce house coming to town in late August.

But Rackovan said if cases start surging in his area, he’ll feel forced to pull back his children from crowded events. That prospect fuels his anger at people who he perceives as “flaunting” their lack of vaccination even as nearly 400 million doses have been distributed in the United States with few serious side effects.

“A lot of my frustration really comes from the way it’s going to affect my kids and the things that they can’t do,” Rackovan said. “And if we have to go through another year of my son wearing a mask again throughout school, I was really hoping we wouldn’t have to do that — that he could have a normal year.”