View Full Version : Getting the vaccine??
I now know several family members who have received the vaccine without any issues. DH remains skeptical and says he won't get it. I am tired of living like a hermit and am leaning towards getting it when it is available for my age group. Not sure how that works when your spouse won't get it. But anyway, who here is getting it or not?
I've had the first dose already, and would encourage people to get it in the strongest possible terms.
DH remains skeptical and says he won't get it.
I'm quite curious about the basis for his skepticism.
ApatheticNoMore
1-7-21, 9:42pm
I'd likely get it but just it's going to be March or April at the earliest (per public health dept predictions) before this thing will be available to maybe the general public. Noone is getting it here but medical people and nursing homes, it's not available otherwise.
I'm happy to get it when it's available, and I'm darned sure DH will get it.
ApatheticNoMore
1-7-21, 10:00pm
But with the amount of virus going around it is highly likely I and maybe most get covid before vaccines are available to most, at least here. I'm not trying to. 5th or something outbreak at bfs work, it's getting every few weeks now that is happening. And testing is so booked up that it's at least an 8 day wait for a test.
DH's skepticism is based on the crap he reads on the internet. I have given up trying to reason with him about it so I will do my own thing.
iris lilies
1-7-21, 10:20pm
Two people at our Tuesday night board meeting were sick from the vaccine they had gotten that morning. But it was normal sickness, nothing serious, so sure I’m gonna get it.
I plan on getting it as soon as possible, which sounds like late winter/early spring right now. I have some concerns, but assume that by giving it to the old and frail people in nursing and assisted living homes first will be a good test for any serious side effects.
I’m definitely planning on getting it when I’m eligible.
I will absolutely get it as soon as possible. Whichever one I can. I’ve read nothing to make me concerned about any of them.
We're getting it. DW may get hers "early" because she is the designated family caregiver for her mother in the nursing home and some care facilities are providing the vaccine to those folks even out of their usual sequence.
I will get it if there is no cost to me as promised.
My doctor's office called me to reschedule my annual physical and I asked about it since there is no deductible or copay for the physical. They said they don't know if or when they will get any doses and seniors would be first. My parents in their 80's have not heard from their doctor.
I work in an essential business (supply house to hospitals and food producers among others) but no word about the vaccine there either although we have a company nurse who goes around and gives flu shots.
People at work were joking if you want a vaccine go storm the Capitol. You'll get arrested and thrown in jail and inmates are at the top of the list.
My DH and my sister work in hospitals, and they both got their first shots with no ill effects. I'll get it as soon as it's available to me, but I don't know when that will be.
Chicken lady
1-8-21, 7:00am
I’m a teacher. My state is a mess. Less than half the health care workers are accepting the shot. Doses have expired. I am listed as second tier, but official information on when that might be ranges from “in two weeks” to “late March”.
Tuesday I return to my classroom. I will be teaching my primary kids in person and my middle and high school kids live online from the classroom.
I am eager to roll up my sleeve!
Teacher Terry
1-8-21, 10:25am
I will get it as soon as possible and would gladly pay for it. Pinky, you are so right that living like a hermit royally sucks!
I'm a natural recluse so I'm not suffering at all, and though I'm not a fan of Big Excessive Medicine, I'll probably get the vaccine--I'm thinking in March. Even if that doctor in Miami may have died of it...:0!
happystuff
1-8-21, 11:40am
Our household will probably - eventually(when permitted) - get it, but I keep seeing conflicting information about whether or not someone who is properly vaccinated is still a carrier/transmitter of the virus or not. Dh may end up getting the vaccine before the rest of us, but if he can still transmit the virus, it means that he still has to abide by ALL the precautions to protect the rest of the household (and others).
So, do the different vaccines behave differently with regards to being a transmitter/carrier?
iris lilies
1-8-21, 4:34pm
Our household will probably - eventually(when permitted) - get it, but I keep seeing conflicting information about whether or not someone who is properly vaccinated is still a carrier/transmitter of the virus or not. Dh may end up getting the vaccine before the rest of us, but if he can still transmit the virus, it means that he still has to abide by ALL the precautions to protect the rest of the household (and others).
So, do the different vaccines behave differently with regards to being a transmitter/carrier?
I do not mean to be a smart aleck here I really don’t, but I’m going to ask in a general way: is there ever any large scale medical issue that doesn’t come with conflicting information to our society and to our communities?
You’re probably heading into traitor territory for the “Science is Real!*” folks. Beware! anti-vaccer in our midst! And etc.
*Science is Real!” Is one of many slogans on signs on my block.
Well, I just got back from helping at the morning vaccination shift. Seems like nearly every healthcare worker and first responder in the county is participating. Some of the "alternative" medical providers aren't.
So far, of the first 150 vaccinations, we've had some side effects reported, the worst of which seems to be soreness around the injection site for a day or so. (Which is minimal, compared to effects I've seen from our rather comprehensive vaccination program for wacky diseases for our infectious disease control team).
An app was rolled out for tracking on a daily basis every single innoculation for weeks afterwards for side effects, takes about 10 seconds a day to use it.
iris lilies
1-8-21, 4:45pm
Lest I be disparaged as a science denier, Let me state ip front that OF COURSE I will get this vaccine when my turn comes.
But, I have some concern about the vaccine I’m getting being affective because I question:was it stored and handled correctly? Is the vaccine they put into my body useful for me? Is it useful to keep me from infecting others? And HOW,useful, if useful? And for how long?
I think would be good if sanctimonious social justice warriors not adopt this vaccine as the latest battle in their war. Shaming hasn't worked for masking up.
I have similar questions, and I think it's perfectly natural to have them. I'm not a science denier, but science has historically been wrong--thalidomide, anyone?--enough times to engender caution. I can stay out of circulation as long as I have to, but it would be nice to have the extra protection of an effective vaccine.
Teacher Terry
1-8-21, 4:58pm
I don’t take the yearly flu vaccine because the benefit doesn’t outweigh the risks. However, Covid is a entire different animal and I will take it yearly if needed. I am assuming it will be.
ApatheticNoMore
1-8-21, 5:03pm
Well it is still being given under emergency use authorization, so there is that, but apparently the bureaucracy is such that it would take a couple years to approve otherwise at which point it truly might be pointless.
Politicizing masks or other public health measures didn't start with social justice workers, it started from where most of the unnecessary chaos for the past 4 years have started, yea I can remember back a few months time.
Lest I be disparaged as a science denier, Let me state ip front that OF COURSE I will get this vaccine when my turn comes.
But, I have some concern about the vaccine I’m getting being affective because I question:was it stored and handled correctly? Is the vaccine they put into my body useful for me? Is it useful to keep me from infecting others? And HOW,useful, if useful? And for how long?
I think would be good if sanctimonious social justice warriors not adopt this vaccine as the latest battle in their war. Shaming hasn't worked for masking up.
My concern is how it will react to whatever other medications you take (contraindications?)? Not all drugs interact well with each other. I, too, will takes my chances and roll up my sleeve. Living like this is hell!
dado potato
1-9-21, 1:16am
My local hospital is connected to a major hub (Marshfield Clinic), The Marshfield Clinic website says there is no waiting list for COVID-19 vaccination (just be patient). We will communicate out to the community once the vaccine is available.
Currently frontline health care workers are getting the vaccine.
Generally I am proactive about deciding on vaccinations. But I don't see how a person in my rural community can be proactive about these COVID-19 vaccines (just be patient). In this state the vaccines appear to be distributed by a duopoly to a health care system which is organized into hubs and spokes. The state DHS maintains a website on COVID-19 which is updated daily, but the information on vaccination is only updated 1x per week.
We just got the new sign up system for the vaccine in our state, IN, Friday. Currently health care workers and over 80s can sign up. We signed up Mom and got Jan 20th as her date. There was a wait time online but it took us to the scheduling system, got her info, gave her a time. We were also able to register her with all her data online also so that should speed up the process at the hospital clinic.
The complaints people have made are on the wait time (mine was 39 minutes), the phone system being backed up, and not allowing couples to register together. Over 50,000 have registered so far.
I do not mean to be a smart aleck here I really don’t, but I’m going to ask in a general way: is there ever any large scale medical issue that doesn’t come with conflicting information to our society and to our communities?
You’re probably heading into traitor territory for the “Science is Real!*” folks. Beware! anti-vaccer in our midst! And etc.
*Science is Real!” Is one of many slogans on signs on my block.
Anti-vaccer??? I said that we will be getting the vaccine "eventually" - meaning when it is our turn and available. Sorry if you misunderstood. My question has to do with what happens when 1 member of a household gets it before the other members. Again, if my dh gets it sooner (because of his job), what precautions may he still have to take to protect the rest of us in the household and others - until we are able to get it.
Sort of answering my own question, but - from what I have been learning - getting the vaccine will not change behaviors in our household - at least initially, as there seems to be the potential for those getting the vaccine to still be able to carry and pass on the virus to others. So, until the great majority of the population are vaccinated, I'm thinking my current precautionary behaviors will continue - i.e. mask wearing, social distancing, etc.
I looked this morning on CA’s web site and it turns out that SO and I will be able to get the vaccine at the same time despite SO being multiply high risk. I was kind of surprised but I guess it is what it is.
So, until the great majority of the population are vaccinated, I'm thinking my current precautionary behaviors will continue - i.e. mask wearing, social distancing, etc.
Same, I'm just viewing this as an extra layer of PPE.
Same, I'm just viewing this as an extra layer of PPE.
Yes, DH will be getting his second shot on Tues and I have no idea when I'll be eligible. We'll continue with the same precautions for the foreseeable future.
I was offered an opportunity yesterday as a first responder. Got down there and was denied due to previous drug reactions. They wanted me to confer with my GP and then have it given in a medical facility in case there were issues. Seemed to think I would be upset.... The nurse supervisor said "I have some very upsetting news."
Well, it wasn't upsetting to me. We are keeping it on the down low at home and I wasn't expecting an opportunity to come up for months anyway. I'm not nearly as worried about Covid as I am anaphylactic shock, which I have had and it scared the pants off me.
Still thought it odd since you have to wait 30 minutes before leaving in case of reaction. So.... were they not equipped if anybody had issues in those 30 minutes? Several of the firefighters questioned me on this and I said she acted as if this info was hot off the press from Pfizer and if you ever had any issues with drugs, food allergies, bees etc, they wanted it done after a Dr consult and at a medical facility.
I tried to find a sign up site online for my parents in their eighties but it doesn't appear there is one for my state. Maybe no surprise given that our governor is a former health care executive at a private company, but the vaccine is being corporatized. You can get it at a hospital, or a drug store chain can give it to you at a nursing home, employers like supermarkets will likely be next, but the elderly can't go to their senior center run by the town and get it from the town nurse. You need a connection to a corporation. Very disappointing.
ETA just saw on the news private ambulance companies will be administering the vaccines to first responders.
GeorgeParker
1-10-21, 9:38am
I'm 71, not employed, and not in a nursing home. So I'll have to wait till they start giving it to the genera population over 65. I'm due for a physical in late February, so I'm figuring my PCP will probably give me a referral then to get the shot in mid-march. And yes, I'll get it. I figure by that time it will have been given to enough people for any kinks in the distribution system to have been corrected and for all the common side effects and reactions to have been noticed.
Found out my parents in their 80's can't get the vaccine yet because Massachusetts is prioritizing prison inmates.
happystuff
1-10-21, 9:39pm
Found out my parents in their 80's can't get the vaccine yet because Massachusetts is prioritizing prison inmates.
And non-inmates, which would mean that my neighbor with a wife and three young children, who is a prison guard doing a job in extremely close quarters with a large number of people, has a good chance of protection and survival for not only himself but also for his family.
Amazing just how different states are handling the rollout. Our state started with hospital/medical personnel, long term care, and is now adding in over 80s. So far 75000 have registered and either have shots or are scheduled. They will roll in others in a phased response. Sure there are hiccups but to get that many registered in just a couple of days is amazing. Mom's shot will be at a hospital clinic and easily monitored.
I did a quick check on correctional officer issues and over 84 have died from Covid. Huge % of prison populations have gotten sick, been sent to overcrowded hospitals or died. Crowded conditions will add to transmission and as happystuff said, it will transmit to those outside of the facilities.
My folks in assisted living got their first vaccines last Monday. A great relief.
dado potato
1-11-21, 12:05pm
Amazing just how different states are handling the rollout.
For vaccinating residents in Long Term Care, the CDC fostered the Federal Pharmacy Partnership, in which CVS and Walgreens (plus about a dozen regional pharmacy chains) partnered with specific LTC facilities. In December of 2020, in the rhetoric surrounding "Operation Warp Speed", CVS and Walgreens spokespersons implied they would each be able to deliver 25 million vaccinations to residents in LTC facilities.
The State of West Virginia does not participate in the Federal Pharmacy Partnership, but instead mobilized all independent and chain pharmacies in the state to participate with LTC facilities in the state. WV has had comparatively more success vaccinating LTC residents than other states. The Federal Pharmacy Partnership has experienced delays due to "paperwork", government orders to hold back supply, etc.
dado potato
1-11-21, 12:28pm
Based on my reading of the vaccination priorities, I would be in the category "Anyone 65-74". I gather that I am therefore lower in priority than "frontline essential workers of any age". And I am higher in priority than "anyone 16-64 with a high-risk medical condition". (Sorry!)
In my rural community, the clinic web site states that there is no waiting list. The clinic says they will communicate out to the community when vaccines are available.
If there were a Walgreens pharmacy near me, according to the Walgreens website: "You will hear from your local health official or employer directly if you are eligible for a vaccine."
The CVS website states: "We'll let you know when COVID-19 vaccine is available... appointments will be required."
I support the early vaccination of corrections officers, who are essential workers. Inmates are not essential.
ApatheticNoMore
1-11-21, 7:29pm
The argument for inmates was never that they were essential but it has been a major population for outbreaks, like meat packing plants, and nursing homes (very vulnerable residents but some in prison are in their old age now as well).
I support the early vaccination of corrections officers, who are essential workers. Inmates are not essential.
Troll.
I work at an assisted living facility and we were all offered the vaccine. Many are getting it; quite a few, including me, are not. I'm still not comfortable with any long-term effects that may pop up a few months or years from now. Of course, the chance of getting the virus is probably higher. However, all of us work in a sort of bubble; we're tested twice a week, wear PPE all day (goggles, gloves, N95 and surgical mask), and limit contact outside of work. If two people (employees or residents) test positive, the entire building is put on "lockdown" (residents restricted to their rooms). Positive cases in employees are sent home immediately for a certain period of time.
I'm sure the vaccine will become mandatory soon. When it does, I will get it. My elderly parents will get it when offered to them. I may regret refusing it but I'm going to wait and see how this all plays out. And yes, I've seen firsthand just how deadly this virus is. My life outside of work will still be lived with precautions.
As with any new vaccine this one(s) could turn out to cause longer-term problems. But for me the risk of that seems much less than the risk of longer-term problems from covid itself. The number of people like Tammy* who are "long haulers" or at least have ongoing symptoms (something like 75% of people is the figure I've seen) is scary enough that I'm more than willing to take my chances on either of the currently available vaccines.
I recall reading that when the polio vaccine first came out people were literally running to the doc's office to get the jab when it became available. I will be doing the same as soon as I am eligible for the vaccine for covid.
* I also have a dear friend who got it back in April when NYC had their massive surge. She was asymptomatic except that she lost taste and smell. Now, 9 months later she has serious fatigue and headache issues despite having had a very mild case originally. This virus is no joke.
The South African variant of the virus isn't as responsive to the vaccine. Source: CNN
It is now in 12 countries. When will it reach the US? With international flights in full swing, and testing frequently producing false negatives, probably any day now. Then it will spread around the country through domestic flights as our feckless government kowtows to the jet set and the airline industry with unlimited passenger flights.
This variant is currently in South Africa, the UK, Botswana, France, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, South Korea, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands. Lots of Americans went to Ireland during the pandemic because it was still open to tourists who have an inalienable right to travel the globe while people at home lose basic rights like being able to breathe freely without a mask or practice their religion by attending church.
https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEL-gyemNsmOdNQ7VVDoPKl8qGQgEKhAIACoHCAow2Nb3CjDivdcCM J_d7gU?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen
"In other words, the Pfizer vaccine is likely to induce immunity that covers the two new more infectious variants originating in England and South Africa," he added.
rosarugosa
1-13-21, 9:55am
https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEL-gyemNsmOdNQ7VVDoPKl8qGQgEKhAIACoHCAow2Nb3CjDivdcCM J_d7gU?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen
"In other words, the Pfizer vaccine is likely to induce immunity that covers the two new more infectious variants originating in England and South Africa," he added.
That's good to hear since DH got the Pfizer.
Five people died in the Capitol riot and the House rushed an impeachment vote because they did not want to wait one week for Trump to leave office. How many people have died from covid, and they not only aren't stopping international flights to protect against the "escape variant" but they aren't putting in the testing requirement until January 26. There's no time to face some imminent threats like the future.
Five people died in the Capitol riot and the House rushed an impeachment vote because they did not want to wait one week for Trump to leave office. How many people have died from covid, and they not only aren't stopping international flights to protect against the "escape variant" but they aren't putting in the testing requirement until January 26. There's no time to face some imminent threats like the future.
How many of the people dying everyday in the US from covid are doing so because of trump’s piss poor handling of the pandemic? Maybe he should’ve been impeached for that month’s ago.
ApatheticNoMore
1-17-21, 2:34am
How many of the people dying everyday in the US from covid are doing so because of trumpÂ’s piss poor handling of the pandemic? Maybe he shouldÂ’ve been impeached for that monthÂ’s ago.
I would have been ok with that impeachment. But I don't know how many really are from Trump's handling, I mean Trump deliberately screwed things up, there is a rock solid case there for deliberate stuff like hoarding ventilators, trying to steal state PPE supplies, campaigning against masks and state health restrictions, nor was the DPA invoked for PPE etc.. However, there are countries with a higher death rate than the U.S. and no Trump. Europe as a whole I believe, although it's average is mostly being driven up by some real basket cases: Belgium, Italy, UK. There is a comparison to how a country should handle things, and there is a large part of me that questions whether a devolving 3rd worldizing country like the U.S. ever could. But yes Trump did deliberately sabotage. But Canada? Yea somewhat better although they have had their covid too. But who the heck thinks we are Canadian, have you noticed universal healthcare or affordable college? $2000 covid payments? Mandatory paid sick and vacation time? Me neither.
rosarugosa
1-17-21, 6:54am
Just an update, DH did not have any side effects from his second shot, not even the mild arm soreness that he got from the first shot.
HappyHiker
1-18-21, 9:35pm
Signed up to get it, but am a bit concerned. Last month I got the regular flu shot--the super-duper senior version. My arm was swollen and very painful for three days--couldn't sleep on that side.
I'm wondering if the Covid vaccine will do this--or worse.
I'm kind of a vaccine newby so don't know if one vaccine is worse than the other in side effects?
Since we are stuck at home for several months, I have decided to wait for the single dose vaccines yet to come. There just seems to be a lot of chaos with the current ones with some who are now overdue on their second dose because of scheduling problems. My health care provider won't even administer existing ones to my age groups until spring anyway or so they say. I am one who grows lumps in my arm every time I get a shot or IV which is always kind of scary.
iris lilies
1-19-21, 9:06am
Since we are stuck at home for several months, I have decided to wait for the single dose vaccines yet to come. There just seems to be a lot of chaos with the current ones with some who are now overdue on their second dose because of scheduling problems. My health care provider won't even administer existing ones to my age groups until spring anyway or so they say. I am one who grows lumps in my arm every time I get a shot or IV which is always kind of scary.
I am only following headline news and post such as yours, so I am in no hurry to get it also. We are staying far away from crowds and have very limited exposure to other humans.
I'm not champing at the bit, either. Plenty of time to wait for the one-dose version and watch for reactions.
I am in a great hurry as need to go into the nursing home on compassionate care visits to my mother. Also see my grandchildren and don't want to get them sick. WE are in their "pod" but we do have to go into the nursing home, and my granddaughter goes out to school. So as soon as I can get vaccinated I will, although probably will be after my birthday when I turn 65, and it won't be available to me til then,
At this point, I don't give a f*** about any side effects.
iris lilies
1-19-21, 11:15am
I am in a great hurry as need to go into the nursing home on compassionate care visits to my mother. Also see my grandchildren and don't want to get them sick. WE are in their "pod" but we do have to go into the nursing home, and my granddaughter goes out to school. So as soon as I can get vaccinated I will, although probably will be after my birthday when I turn 65, and it won't be available to me til then,
At this point, I don't give a f*** about any side effects.
yes, I can see that, which is why I’m stepping to the back of my line (not the back of the line for the population in general) because there are people like you who have a need for the vaccine asap.
I’m not very concerned about side effects because I tend to not get side effects from vaccination. I had a whole bunch of vaccinations in the year 2020 and didn’t even have a sore arm. Once I got a light case of flu from one of the flu vaccines, but that was unusual I think. I don’t really know though because I don’t regularly get vaccines, 2020 was the year I visited a physician.
I'll get the vaccine as soon as my state opens up the opportunity to old guys like me. My wife works daily with special needs kids and will also get the vaccine as soon as it's available to school workers, although we don't yet have any idea when that will be.
The manner in which various states are prioritizing their vaccine rollouts doesn't always make sense to me.
SteveinMN
1-19-21, 11:58am
The manner in which various states are prioritizing their vaccine rollouts doesn't always make sense to me.
Same here, though I think various states are trying to figure out where the "bang for the buck" is based on information no one has.
I read that one state (I don't think it's Minnesota but it might be) was thinking about inoculating prisoners and prison workers early on (along with first responders and older seniors and institutional care workers) because the prison environment fosters such rapid transmission of the virus -- all of which gets responded to at state expense (until the workers bring the virus home and infect others and then it's on their insurance). Regardless of how one feels about preserving the lives of prisoners and prison workers ahead of others, from a purely financial standpoint it makes a certain sense. But it's no sure thing and there is the issue of pushing other deserving recipients further back in the line.
Lots of things we thought were true about COVID-19 turned out not to be so. We're still feeling our way. At one point we thought just getting groceries or our mail might infect us. There are thousands of never-used ventilators sitting in warehouses. No one has the answers right now.
A friend of mine is listed as the family caregiver for her mother in a nursing home; she (mid-40s; generally healthy; empty nester) has already received the vaccine because her mother's institution made it a requirement for the family caregivers (and provided it to her). DW is the family caregiver for her mother in a TCU/nursing home; they haven't said anything about requiring her to get the vaccine (her mom already has). Same state. Almost the same county (urban Minnesota).
Tough to figure out what should be done. And we may not know for some time which approach is best. Wonder what they did for the Spanish flu?
Teacher Terry
1-19-21, 2:23pm
I joke that I will trample the really old people in walkers for one:)). Seriously I have signed up online being 66 and having asthma. I will take it as soon as I can. Especially with going to be living alone soon I want my life back.
Inmates are getting the vaccine in my state (I guess crime does pay), and healthcare workers who do not interact with patients, some of whom work completely remotely, are next but my parents in their eighties are SOL. Where are groups like the AARP that should be advocating for seniors?
My state is opening a second mass vaccination site. Both sites are in the eastern part of the state. The second is in downtown Boston, totally intimidating to access for people outside the city.
The central and western parts of the state should secede, just like West Virginia seceded from Virginia. Most of our tax dollars go to the eastern part of the state for wasteful projects like the Big Dig, we have terrible gerrymandering so most state legislators can live near Boston, but now lives are at stake.
iris lilies
1-19-21, 9:38pm
My friend’s 90+ year old father, in a nursing home for several years, recently had Covid and recovered. Then they Gave him a vaccine. He died on .pSunday. She is blaming the vaccine.
I think vaccinating people who've already had covid is stupid and a waste of doses. They already have immunity. That's why their plasma can heal those sick with corona.
iris lilies
1-19-21, 9:57pm
I think vaccinating people who've already had covid is stupid and a waste of doses. They already have immunity. That's why their plasma can heal those sick with corona.
Don’t know if this is common in nursing homes, The standard recommended treatment or is something that this doctor did or?
It is standard overkill, why American healthcare is so overpriced.
Personally I think trusting the opinions of cranks that don’t think masks help reduce the disease is a mistake.
Teacher Terry
1-20-21, 2:11am
I read that they gave the Moderna vaccine to really old people in nursing homes and 35 died. Probably no good choices for someone in that position.
I think vaccinating people who've already had covid is stupid and a waste of doses. They already have immunity. That's why their plasma can heal those sick with corona.
I think your posts on this subject are stupid and a waste of time. The CDC explains the reasons for this , and you can dig a bit deeper to find the data behind it.
But carry on. Russian troll.
I can't remember if they gave Moderna or Pfizer to everyone, staff at residents, at my parents assisted living place. 104 vaccinations and zero problems. So that's a relief.
My friend’s 90+ year old father, in a nursing home for several years, recently had Covid and recovered. Then they Gave him a vaccine. He died on .pSunday. She is blaming the vaccine.
Hank Aaron died 18 days after getting the vaccine. Maybe our approach is backwards and we should vaccinate all the young people first, moving up in age until we reach herd immunity, hopefully not having to immunize the oldest.
iris lilies
1-24-21, 5:13pm
Hank Aaron died 18 days after getting the vaccine. Maybe our approach is backwards and we should vaccinate all the young people first, moving up in age until we reach herd immunity, hopefully not having to immunize the oldest.
Hank AAron was said in the news to be making a big splash in getting the vaccine to encourage
African-Americans, notoriously reluctant to get vaccines, to get this one. That will not play so well to his intention.
I saw on the news today smokers are considered to be comorbid and will go ahead of nonsmoking elderly in getting the vaccine. Maybe we can let people who smoke meth, crack, etc jump to the head of the line next - assuming they are not already there as inmates.
Yppej - here, read this, and get back to us.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6e/56/87/6e5687f2f2182347ac6f792948bd3a05.jpg
My parents are finally eligible for a vaccine but have heard so many horror stories on the news they are not even trying to sign up. There are problems like the website spins for hours, there are no open slots within an hour's drive, people sign up and are then canceled because of insufficient vaccine. This is just for people 75 and older. Supposedly in 2 months the state is going to vaccinate everyone over 65, people with comorbidities, and all essential workers including teachers. I think it is a fairy tale timeline.
The AARP is saying seniors should not have to navigate the horrific website but have a toll free number to call.
What a difference a week makes!
The Minnesota Web site for signups opened a week ago Tuesday and you could hear the Comcast network wires popping from the traffic. it wasn't the Web site but the bandwidth to it that caused the problems: slow response, time spent in "waiting rooms", site downs. For this week they changed it to a 24-hour period in which people over 65 could register, and, from that "haul", a lottery will be conducted to populate appointment times and locations. Seems much more efficient and fair to me.
But DW and I actually got our first dose of the Moderna vaccine this afternoon. Her mother's LTC facility either encouraged or required (not sure which) essential family caregivers to get the vaccine, and they were generous enough to extend it to the husband of an essential caregiver. Painless injections and no side effects yet.
The mood in Minnesota apparently is to get as many people vaccinated as possible with the ends of thawed vaccine lots without worrying about where they are in the priorities. If they've got a few doses they'll just have to throw out, step right up. Right now there's always someone around who'll want it.
What a relief for you and your wife Steve. I know that Brazilian variant is in Minnesota.
ApatheticNoMore
1-27-21, 8:45pm
The mood here is vaccine priorities change every week, what a cluster@#$# it all is. Probably should have always done it by age as they are now more settling on (only the age windows are too big and there isn't enough vaccine).
At night I go to bed wanting to scream about when I'll ever get my life back, sinking into despair. Oh and PS they have decided to open more things up despite having ZERO ICU capacity.
But my mom will get one soon but I still can't visit due to other vulnerable people. Supposedly it will take until June just to vaccinate the over 65 ... (that could change if the Fed gov provides more vaccine supply, it's all on them). Oh maybe I'll get a vaccine 12th of Nevuary. I don't say it's unfair, although I know younger people with preexisting conditions and they aren't getting a vaccine and that's very very scary with so much virus. But it's fair to vaccinate many other people before me, I just realize there isn't much hope of anything changing before summer or maybe 2022.
Rich people are trying to cut the line:
https://news.yahoo.com/rich-people-trying-pay-skip-182500683.html
Winter weather, which you would think northern states would have anticipated, is wreaking havoc on vaccinations. My parents are still too discouraged to attempt to get shots and don't want to go out now due to the snow even if they could get a slot. Vermont is planning for roving EMTs to visit homebound seniors but my state can't even get a hotline set up. I wish the Feds or the locals rather than the decidedly unfabulous Charlie Baker Boy were in charge of vaccinations in my state.
ApatheticNoMore
2-2-21, 4:29pm
I don't know why blue states elect Republican governors, what's up with that. If they had a Dem governor Elizabeth Warren might have had a shot at treasury, instead we have people selling 800k speeches.
iris lilies
2-2-21, 6:49pm
I'm quite curious about the basis for his skepticism.
DH informed me this week he wouldn't be getting the vaccine right away. He has concerns about RNA vaccines, whatever that means.
I will get it because I believe it is more dangerous for me NOT to get it.
When I asked DH how he expects me to interact with the world with me vaccinated and him not vaccinated he said that I need to continue to mask up and social distance. Well that’s kind of what everyone’s doing anyway so I don’t see a real problem with this. Yet anyway.
My first planned social interaction is a flower show school in June for two days. The organizers say they have a very large place where everyone can sit in the classroom distant from each other. we shall see.
Sounds like all the variants popping up will add to the fray. Booster shots I guess. All one big cluster truck.
"Concerned about RNA vaccines" sounds like he's been infected by QAnon to me. :laff: You might ask him to explain further.
ETA: https://www.bbc.com/news/54893437
iris lilies
2-3-21, 12:49am
"Concerned about RNA vaccines" sounds like he's been infected by QAnon to me. :laff: You might ask him to explain further.
ETA: https://www.bbc.com/news/54893437
Imdont know if that is it. He scoffs at GMO fears, but who knows.
MRNA vaccines are brand new. No one knows any long term effects of these yet, the data just not exist yet. The current ones on the market have your body make the spike protein. I can't find any information as to how this piece of RNA knows when to STOP doing this. As someone who has had adverse reactions to a vaccine, this concerns me. I am not a Q anon believer, just someone a little skeptical about a rushed medicine with no long term data.
I don’t think of this vaccine as rushed. Moderna and others have been working on the basics for mRNA vaccines for years (that’s even why moderna is named moderna, it’s the whole reason for the company’a existence) and the covid vaccine was made as soon as they had the genetic sequence for covid, way back a year ago.
I don’t think of this vaccine as rushed.
Its only been in arms a few months. There is often a difference between studying something in a lab/theory and in situ.
You do you, I'm going to wait a few months to see if any additional side effects are reported since I've had adverse reactions before (bad reaction to the pneumonia-23 vaccine where I had a high fever and rash for a week. My provider said "I've never seen that result!".)
I've had two severe vaccine reactions and hadn't considered whether that would be a factor with the Covid.
One of my son's friends was hospitalized with seizures after getting the Moderna vaccine. That is the only person I have heard of second or third hand, but not many people have had it yet.
I think it was rushed because it kind of had to be rushed, so I think it's very reasonable to take that into consideration deciding whether one wants the vaccine or not at this time.
I am hoping to get it asap, but that's because I have to visit my mom in the nursing home, and I want to be able to see my grandchildren frequently.
Not sure what I would do if my circumstances were different.
I understood RNA-centered vaccines had been being developed for years, but I can understand caution. Maybe Iris Lily's DH can observe her closely for any ill-effects before submitting himself to the shots. As long as you're still observing COVID protocols, I suppose it doesn't matter so much.
Teacher Terry
2-3-21, 11:28am
The technology has been around for 20 years and I definitely want it ASAP. I want my life back. I would feel differently if I had a adverse reaction to a vaccine in the past.
iris lilies
2-3-21, 11:56am
I understood RNA-centered vaccines had been being developed for years, but I can understand caution. Maybe Iris Lily's DH can observe her closely for any ill-effects before submitting himself to the shots. As long as you're still observing COVID protocols, I suppose it doesn't matter so much.
My body’s reaction wont signal what would happen to him with it. I respect his right to control his own health treatment.
He is more likely to survive COVID unscathed than I am, although I know this virus is unpredictible.
Yeah--that was kind of tongue in cheek. I understand being cautious, though some of the rumors floating around are pretty fringey.
If there seem to be a lot of adverse reactions, I suppose I can just wait it out indefinitely.
What is an adverse reaction?
What percentage of adverse reactions would dissuade you from receiving the vaccine?
Where would you get that data from?
What other objective criteria would be used in making your decision to receive the vaccine?
What is an adverse reaction?
What percentage of adverse reactions would dissuade you from receiving the vaccine?
Where would you get that data from?
What other objective criteria would be used in making your decision to receive the vaccine?
Well there were those oldsters in Norway...https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/23-elderly-people-die-in-norway-after-receiving-the-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-cautionary-note-issued-791302/
What is an adverse reaction?
I read somewhere that a person in one of the vaccine trials got the dose and then was struck by lightning and killed a few days afterward. Kind of can't ignore that in the numeric test results, but it's not likely it was a side effect of receiving the vaccine.
On a more serious note, I'll acknowledge that I still have my doubts about the long-term effects of the vaccine but that, when I was offered a chance to get the vaccine, I jumped at it. Maybe hasty, maybe not, but I have relatives I want to visit and COVID-19 isn't likely to be "a mild flu" for me and I'm over 60 in a family not noted for longevity anyway. I'll take it. I think the good odds are better than the bad odds. I totally understand, however, someone else wanting to wait a bit before getting the vaccine -- so long as they get it eventually (anti-vaxxers need not apply).
All vaccines produce idiosyncratic responses in some people. This virus seems to be threat enough to me that I'll likely take it, since I'm not an elderly Norwegian.
ApatheticNoMore
2-3-21, 1:03pm
I would give almost anything to get the vaccine now (no I'm not going to try to find a vaccine on the black market sheesh I didn't say I'd turn to crime to get it). But very little hope of that until summer at least it seems (and then maybe it's mutates so the vaccine doesn't even work anymore). So I just try to make more and more peace with giving up the world. I really don't bother to hope for life after covid anymore as that just seems to bring on greater pain like anticipating a parole that never comes.
I've heard rumors that if you turn up at Walgreens or similar just before closing, they'll shoot you up regardless of age. I have no idea if that's true or not.
ApatheticNoMore
2-3-21, 1:41pm
I may try, heaven knows there is enough drug stores here but seems crazy shortage of vaccine even for priority groups.
It’s interesting to see how the various US states are comparing in vaccination rates. I wouldn’t have expected West Virginia or North Dakota as leaders.
It’s also interesting to see how things are going in Europe. Apparently the UK signed contracts with the providers a few months before the EU. The EU then threatened to implement export controls to give their member states priority. Cooler heads eventually prevailed, much to the benefit of international contract law.
And apparently the recent New York AG report on COVID indicates that Gov Cuomo’s performance did not match his preening.
Well, DH called this morning and we are going in about an hour to get the vaccine. I was prepared to wait for months which would have been ok by me. Truthfully, I am a bit nervous. DH not so much. It is quite a shock that we can get in right away!!!! I talked to the new doc a few weeks ago and she said it would be a while. Don't know what happened? Snow and below zero temps are forecasted for the next 5 days..... wonder if there is a correlation???
I think all medical decisions are risk vs benefit. If it means I can see my grandchildren, I will get the one dose one when available here. I think the other thing about all vaccines and medications is that they are usually one size fits all and that is going to affect some people totally different than others. My main concern is that it seems to be problematic if given to people with coronavirus antibodies. I believe I may have had it last spring but never got tested.
Well, DH called this morning and we are going in about an hour to get the vaccine. I was prepared to wait for months which would have been ok by me. Truthfully, I am a bit nervous. DH not so much. It is quite a shock that we can get in right away!!!! I talked to the new doc a few weeks ago and she said it would be a while. Don't know what happened? Snow and below zero temps are forecasted for the next 5 days..... wonder if there is a correlation???
Probably? All the vaccination clinics here got messed up so maybe they rerouted. I am glad you can get your immediately and fingers crossed for no reaction!
The technology has been around for 20 years
No. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the first to use mRNA. mRNA has certainly been studied for a number of years, but there haven't been vaccines in arms until the last few months.
What is an adverse reaction?
What percentage of adverse reactions would dissuade you from receiving the vaccine?
Where would you get that data from?
What other objective criteria would be used in making your decision to receive the vaccine?
I'm looking at: https://www.factcheck.org/2020/12/a-guide-to-modernas-covid-19-vaccine/
My personal comfort level is 6 months of data (widespread data, 40 people in phase 1 study is not sufficient for my comfort level).
A good portion of folks report soreness/flu like symptoms, which is to be expected. I'm concerned about the cases for anaphalaxis. Anything more than 1 in 1000 would concern me. I'm also concerned that if the rna does not degrade as its supposed to, that it would be equivalent to a long lasting covid case and do organ damage. I don't know if the spike protein itself causes any damage, or if the damage is specifically from the body's reaction to the protein. So if the injected dose continues to have the body making this protein indefinitely, what happens? This is why I'm choosing (well not actually choosing since it isn't readily available to my age group) to wait a few months to see if these questions have answers.
40 people in a phase 1 is fine.
Phase I studies of a new drug are usually the first that involve people. Phase I studies are done to find the highest dose of the new treatment that can be given safely without causing severe side effects.
Phase II trials further assess safety as well as if a drug works. The drug is often tested among patients with a specific type of disease. Phase II trials are done in larger groups of patients compared to Phase I trials. Often, new combinations of drugs are tested.
Phase III trials compare a new drug to the standard-of-care drug. These trials assess the side effects of each drug and which drug works better. Phase III trials enroll 100 or more patients. Often, these trials are randomized. In the covid phase III trials there were many thousand individuals and they are double blinded trials.
Hubby used to work for Eli Lilly and heard a lot about clinical trials.
Jane, if they do not set up wait lists and have leftover vaccine from people who choose not to show up or those who change their minds, or there is extra in the vial (which is happening), they should use it for anyone available. Not one dose should be wasted. IN appears to have wait lists set up.
If a significant side effect that I care about only happens in 1 of 1000 people, then a trial of 40 people in unlikely to have it occur. That was my point in dismissing a phase 1 trial of 40 people.
Larger sample size = higher confidence level.
Jane, if they do not set up wait lists and have leftover vaccine from people who choose not to show up or those who change their minds, or there is extra in the vial (which is happening), they should use it for anyone available. Not one dose should be wasted. IN appears to have wait lists set up.
I'm sure the idea is to eliminate wasted doses; I've heard of people getting last-minute vaccinations in Portland.
My sister-in-law in Mesa AZ drove an elderly neighbor to a drive through vaccination center, after the neighbor was vaccinated they asked her if she wanted one too. Said she could be the neighbor's plus one.
Chicken lady
2-3-21, 7:17pm
Our school contact from the health department just asked my boss for an exact count. I opted in!
My mother got so frustrated trying to sign up she called her town's senior center. They are not having any luck either. The state's vaccine website is so convoluted they called in the town's IT professional and he couldn't get through it either. There is still no promised phone line to enroll. Epic fail by Governor Baker!
My mother got so frustrated trying to sign up she called her town's senior center. They are not having any luck either. The state's vaccine website is so convoluted they called in the town's IT professional and he couldn't get through it either. There is still no promised phone line to enroll. Epic fail by Governor Baker!
I'm sorry to hear that. I was able to book an appointment for my mother at one of the larger sites in a nearby town for next week. I found the website a bit clunky but not the worst I have ever encountered. Given the population though, I think they also need a non-computer based option for scheduling appointments.
happystuff
2-4-21, 10:55am
My mother, sister and bil in CA got their first round of shots last week. (All due to age and mom with added health issues). They are due for the 2nd done at the end of the month.
dado potato
2-4-21, 11:39am
leftover vaccine .
I heard that a hospital is a vaccination site. Their policy is to use all the supply every day. If there are no-shows from the waiting list, the doses are given to patients being discharged, regardless of age (>16).
dado potato
2-4-21, 11:53am
The state of Wisconsin reports on the number of vaccinations and the number of people who have received "the complete series" (2 shots). As of yesterday 117,367 people in WI had completed the series. That would be about 2% of the total population. As of 1/26 the state of WV reported 3% of their population had completed the series.
I gather that supply is short in every state.
Got first Pfiser shot yesterday. I have a sore arm (DH does not) and slept like dead last night. The same dose is given to everyone. I wonder if that made a difference? I am a small person and DH is a tall man???
I feel like I'm up against a rolling train here. I'm on a wait list for my first vaccine. I'm in group 1B (65+), who are currently being vaccinated here in WA. But there's not enough vaccine. So, by the time vaccine shows up, I'll be competing with those who are due their second one. I'm not too worried about it since I basically don't go anywhere but my solo office, see about 3 people a wk outside my home. But the process of this is so wacky and hard to find the patience for. I don't expect my first vaccine until March or April.
ApatheticNoMore
2-4-21, 4:50pm
My mom got her first vaccine, and my bfs mom is scheduled for one. Win. I was giving lectures "people need to hustle harder if they want a vaccine (those who are in priority lists that is, anyone outside of that getting them is a bit of random luck of being at the right place at the right time), you won't get it by sitting back and waiting to be contacted, do everything you can. A vaccine isn't just going to show up on your doorstep one day" etc. Ridiculous, but maybe true. But I was serious about hustle hard and pushed poeple, because new groups are opening up for eligibility (not the general public but teachers, food workers etc. here) so the over 65 have to rush before that hits. Heh ridiculous >8) And younger people with preexisting conditions that make them high risk are just plain entirely out of luck.
I'd be glad to have a teacher take my place in line. Like I said, I'm not too worried about it. But I just think this process is a bit ridiculous. I suppose there hasn't really been time enough to plan it adequately. Believe me, I do check every day to see if I can get in, but no vaccine means no vaccine.
I heard that a hospital is a vaccination site. Their policy is to use all the supply every day. If there are no-shows from the waiting list, the doses are given to patients being discharged, regardless of age (>16).
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have to be transported frozen and are thawed before being administered. They can't be refrozen so I understand places are just finding anyone nearby who hasn't yet received the vaccine and giving remaining thawed doses to them. Better than wasting it because of "protocol".
But the process of this is so wacky and hard to find the patience for.
It is wacky and they keep changing how (and why) it's done. In Minnesota, they opened up a Web site and phone lines for people to sign up for vaccinations; the Web site held up but the communication lines did not, so the following week they asked people to register via Web or phone and they chose to do a lottery of those who signed up -- fairer than prioritizing people who could wait on line for hours. That seems to be going well.
But now there are a couple of voices suggesting that second doses be delayed so people can get their first. Many unanswered questions, though, like how much protection is conferred by the first dose, whether getting the second dose after the manufacturer's recommended timeframe adversely affects immunity, and just how long immunity lasts anyway. Plus the finding that maybe those who had COVID-19 and survived have enough antibodies that they don't need as big a first dose or maybe not a second dose. Learning as we go along...
This is what you get when you leave it up to the states--a patchwork response. I hope that has changed, at least in part, since President Biden took office.
This is what you get when you leave it up to the states--a patchwork response. I hope that has changed, at least in part, since President Biden took office.
I'm curious to hear about what a good job the Federal government would do with a county entirely made up of hundreds of small islands, with no real hospitals or big pharmacies, and a handful of health clinics.
Heck, I'd be curious to hear about how the State government, dominated as it is by King and Pierce Counties, would manage....
I'm curious to hear about what a good job the Federal government would do with a county entirely made up of hundreds of small islands, with no real hospitals or big pharmacies, and a handful of health clinics.
Heck, I'd be curious to hear about how the State government, dominated as it is by King and Pierce Counties, would manage....
It would be a challenge, but we got off to an abominable start, so we'll probably never know.
I have no plans to be out in public any time soon, and I have four or five--maybe more--likely vaccination venues within a short drive, so I think I'm covered.
I'm curious to hear about what a good job the Federal government would do with a county entirely made up of hundreds of small islands, with no real hospitals or big pharmacies, and a handful of health clinics.
Heck, I'd be curious to hear about how the State government, dominated as it is by King and Pierce Counties, would manage....
How many counties like that are there in the country and what percentage of the population do they represent?
Chicken lady
2-4-21, 7:27pm
My parents and my aunt and uncle all got their second shots today.
A mobile unit from the health department is doing my whole school staff next Friday. My time slot will require me to dismiss my last (high school) class five minutes early.
This is what you get when you leave it up to the states--a patchwork response. I hope that has changed, at least in part, since President Biden took office.
The disservice is that the Fed said they were taking care of it. Then suddenly it's dumped on states who haven't been planning because supposedly they didn't need to.
This entire Covid response is Trumps' great disaster!
dado potato
2-7-21, 11:24am
what you get when you leave it up to the states--a patchwork response.
I found a tracker of the vaccinations in each state (link below, requires registration with your email). I am interested in how the states are doing, specifically the percentage of the state population that has been "fully vaccinated" (1 or 2 doses, as needed).
The patchwork of state efforts has produced a wide range of results, from most effective West Virginia at 5.7% to least effective Alabama at 1.7%.
Adding to the top 7 states (to date):
AK 5.1%
ND 4.6%
SD 4.4%
VT 4.2%
NM 3.9%
ME 3.7%
Adding to the bottom 6 states:
CA 1.8%
ID 1.8%
GA 1.8%
SC 2.0%
MS 2.0%
http://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution
I had signed up via Cook County’s website a few weeks back to be advised on availability. It turned out that it was only open at that time for health care professionals, but I answered the survey questions truthfully. I got a text back yesterday that I’m in priority group 1C and that I will get a text when the vaccine is available. My doctor’s hospital group also sends out updates once a week.
iris lilies
2-7-21, 12:49pm
I had signed up via Cook County’s website a few weeks back to be advised on availability. It turned out that it was only open at that time for health care professionals, but I answered the survey questions truthfully. I got a text back yesterday that I’m in priority group 1C and that I will get a text when the vaccine is available. My doctor’s hospital group also sends out updates once a week.
This seems to be what I signed up for in my city Dash I signed up to receive information notices. Information notices about when the vaccine will be available.
I did not, apparently, sign up to receive the vaccine because that does not appear to be doable for the city? I need to sleuth around to find out more.
Here it’s screwed up. There is one distribution system for Chicago and then one for the rest of the state.
The Chicago mayor was griping last week that health care workers who work in the city but live in the suburbs are getting the vaccine in Chicago as it’s taking vaccine away from Chicago residents.
iris lilies
2-7-21, 1:39pm
Here it’s screwed up. There is one distribution system for Chicago and then one for the rest of the state.
The Chicago mayor was griping last week that health care workers who work in the city but live in the suburbs are getting the vaccine in Chicago as it’s taking vaccine away from Chicago residents.
Yes, I knew the border issue would be a problem, city county borders, state borders. I could go across the state to wear one of my garden clothes friends already got her shush vaccine. I could go out to the county which is actually jurisdiction is separate county jurisdiction from my city which is a county.
I caught a bit of BBC last week and the European countries are fighting over vaccine doses. None of this is a surprise.
I have a diving buddy in his mid 20s who does something for work that I don’t quite understand. They’re classified as essential, which apparently puts them in 1B. Buddy’s 80 something year old grandpa with multiple medical conditions lives with the family. Buddy still lives with parents and siblings. Works at home. He is jonesing to get the vaccine however possible due to grandpa and wanted to be out and out. I’m constantly at him about it when he mentions it. I’m in my early 50s. I just shake my head at him.
Chicken lady
2-7-21, 5:27pm
I am eligible in my state as a teacher.
I live in county A and work in county B.
county A is arranging vaccination appointments for teachers only through their schools - which eliminates me.
county B allowed me to register on their health department website where I truthfully answered my age, gender, profession, county of residence, and work address.
The week before teachers became eligible, I got an email from county B telling me “you will, be eligible next week. Here are provider locations in a 5 county area and phone numbers you can call. You will need to show ID including proof of employment.” I tried that for 4 days after I became eligible and got “we have filled all available appointments at this time.” Then county B informed my boss that they would be bringing vaccinations to my school and requested that we sign up for slots - which of course I did.
Wide-ranging mobile units should be universally deployed, that would probably be at least a partial solution for bae's island.
Wide-ranging mobile units should be universally deployed, that would probably be at least a partial solution for bae's island.
We've got the island all set up, if only we could get our hands on the vaccine.
Just on my island alone, our process could handle 400 people a day with not a lot of stress, which would allow us to vaccinate our ~5000 residents in short order. However, without the vaccines in-hand, we're sorta screwed.
The other major islands in the county are similarly set up, and the outlying minor islands we could deal with fairly simply.
If we only had the vaccines.
Our county is expecting it's first shipment of vaccines targeting those of us classified as 1B next week, possibly tomorrow. For our purposes, classification 1B includes teachers and those of us 65 or older so both my wife and I are covered. My wife's school district is not expecting their share of the available vaccines until the end of the month and our governor advises that old guys like me can register for next available appointments on the state website, the one that's not expected to go live until sometime after Valentine's day.
We're slowly but surely getting there.
I am apparently 1B3 and registered, but no word yet on available vaccines--we registered on the state site.
Yes, I knew the border issue would be a problem, city county borders, state borders. I could go across the state to wear one of my garden clothes friends already got her shush vaccine. I could go out to the county which is actually jurisdiction is separate county jurisdiction from my city which is a county.
Yep, no surprise here that Oregonians are coming across the river here to get vaccine. Just like they come to get fireworks, and they move here but do not pay to have their car licenses changed.
The 20s diving buddy I mentioned earlier accompanied his grandfather and an ill uncle to get their first dose. Another family member was able to get grandpa and uncle scheduled at the last minute. Buddy attempted to get the vaccine when he was there. From what he told me, he got quite the talking to for trying to jump the line from the people administering the vaccine. His grandfather chewed him a good one, too. I was happy to hear that.
I have signed up on our county web site, nothing yet. But I got a phone # to use...I have a problem doing that as it goes to the community action place for poor, homeless. People I know HAVE gotten a vaccine there without a problem, but I just feel funny jumping the line. Seems wrong and I can wait.
Well, the good news is that they announced today out-of-the-blue that the Washington National Guard will be arriving in the islands next week with about 2000 doses, and teams of people to administer them.
In truth, they could have just sent one person with a suitcase with the 2000 doses, and we'd get it done, but I'm still pretty darn happy. Especially compared to the 0 doses we received this week, or the 110 we received the previous week.
Really mystified right now---I just spoke to a gentleman I know who is 98 and cannot get an appointment for his first vaccination. Good grief. He and his wife still live in their home---he only looks about 68 truly--he's amazing. But still! 98?
Really mystified right now---I just spoke to a gentleman I know who is 98 and cannot get an appointment for his first vaccination. Good grief. He and his wife still live in their home---he only looks about 68 truly--he's amazing. But still! 98?
A good thing to keep in mind when self-styled public health "experts" try to tell us what to do. Instead of looking at the motes in our eyes they should look at the beams in their own.
Really mystified right now---I just spoke to a gentleman I know who is 98 and cannot get an appointment for his first vaccination. Good grief. He and his wife still live in their home---he only looks about 68 truly--he's amazing. But still! 98?
The elderly who don’t live in a nursing home or assisted living seem to have kinda fallen through the cracks in some places.
Just got off the phone with my mother. She was told the only place she can get a vaccination is at a huge football stadium over an hour from home. I offered to drive her and my dad, using one of my vacation days if need be, but she said her bladder cannot handle that long a drive. She has given up on getting the vaccine in February and may try again in March, but I am worried our governor will open it up to other groups by then and those that should be first but are not aggressive will be last. Rumor had it the high school in her town would open as a site but it never happened, or maybe it was only for the teachers union members, who definitely fit the description of aggressive.
Jeppy: I think I would double-check on this, because that doesn't sound right to me. There are lots of locations between Springfield and Boston (I am assuming she lives somewhere in that range). It's hard to imagine there are only appointments available at one location that is so far away. I also thought they were adding appointments all the time.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-locations#find-a-location-using-the-map-
Thank you RR. I see some next week in her area and called her and asked her to have my brother who lives with them to help them try to enroll online. She said today she is so stressed out about signing up she doesn't even want to think about it. She had tried online earlier as well as making phone calls.
By the time I quickly told my mother and she logged on all the appointments were gone. She called her town's senior center again and they said they couldn't help her.
rosarugosa
2-10-21, 9:07pm
By the time I quickly told my mother and she logged on all the appointments were gone. She called her town's senior center again and they said they couldn't help her.
I heard they are adding a bunch of appointments tomorrow, so it may be worth checking again.
I took my mother today for her first shot, and under the new MA rules, I was able to get vaccinated too because I was accompanying her (it also has to be at one of the mass sites, does not apply for CVS, Walgreens, etc). I was very excited about that! Otherwise, it was a total sh!tshow. I hear that the site has been running like a well-oiled machine, but today some communications went out that there were extra vaccine available, and that people scheduled for later in the week should come today instead. This resulted in hundreds of extra people showing up and we had to stand out in the cold for an hour, and then it took another 50 mins once we were inside. But now that it's done I am relieved and so happy that I was able to get vaccinated sooner rather than later.
Teacher Terry
2-10-21, 9:53pm
One of the sites here is held in a huge parking lot manned by the National guard. It’s a well oiled machine and you never get out of your car.
What a hassle Rosa. No wonder you needed wine.
My brother is going to check twice a day for my parents.
rosarugosa
2-11-21, 6:39am
The site (Danvers Doubletree Hotel) was actually on channel 5 news last night because of things going so badly.
That's good that your brother is going to help with your parents. The process can certainly be frustrating.
I don't know why all the focus on convincing people to sign up for the vaccine and telling them it is safe when there is not enough supply. As more people get it, including people they know, some of the skeptics will come around, and as places reopen and events resume but only for the vaccinated that will also nudge people to get the shot.
While the elderly navigate a difficult system and wait out in the cold, the teachers unions in my state are demanding not only that their members jump to the front of the line but that they get to sit in their classroom and have the vaccine brought to them.
The elderly who don’t live in a nursing home or assisted living seem to have kinda fallen through the cracks in some places.
I'm seeing that a lot.
My parents still have not been able to find anything in their area. My mother needs access to a bathroom and cannot drive for an hour or wait outside for an hour. A friend called me last night to report openings in Chelsea, over an hour away. I thanked her but explained it would not work. I didn't say but thought that Chelsea is a drug infested slum and no way would I want to go there even in daylight, never mind direct a couple of elderly people there.
Chicken lady
2-13-21, 8:46am
The governor of my state decided we should sit in our classrooms and have the vaccine brought to us, so yesterday I went down to the science room where I got jabbed, and then across the hall to sit in a desk and be stared at for 15 minutes. All we could talk about was how weird it felt to all be in the same room. (Not actually all of us, a rotating cast of nine)
This morning I feel like I pulled my biceps muscle - the kind of muscle pull where you start to wonder if you tore something. I keep reminding myself it is not an injury and the nurse said it will get better if I use it. Also, my hand is a bit swollen (my ring was tight enough to make a groove and I took it off) and my elbow is stiff - but that is probably because the pain kept my arm still while I was sleeping.
I usually have a very sore arm for a few days after tetanus shots too. (Edited to add - not nearly this sore)
dado potato
2-13-21, 9:46am
Hang in there, Chicken lady!
Yesterday I received a robocall from the health clinic in our little town, which has a monopoly on vaccinations. It thanked me for signing up on the waiting list (people older than 65). It said supplies of vaccine are short, but people on the waiting list will be called when vaccine becomes available. It expressed optimism that more vaccine is expected to become available... but it could be weeks or months.
In my county (population 13,351 ... no Wal-Mart) 453 residents have completed the series of COVID vaccinations (roughly 3.4%) as of yesterday.
Teacher Terry
2-13-21, 11:02am
Here they are considering anyone that meets the public in their jobs essential which I find weird. So Construction companies can get them. I got mine last week and my kids get vaccinated this week. Lots of open appointments which tells me seniors that aren’t computer literate are losing out unfortunately. My arm is still sore 4 days later.
Chicken lady
2-13-21, 1:53pm
Construction workers are “essential” here, but they are in the next round (1c? 2b? I don’t know what comes next) I would be really happy if my Dd got vaccinated - looking at the behavior of her coworkers, she is at much higher risk than I am. I also would have put grocery workers ahead of teachers - their “customers” are far less compliant with mitigation efforts, they have higher community exposure, and they can less afford to miss work.
Open appointments are still extremely scarce here. We are paused at 65, certain disabilities, specific health factors, and teachers.
TT, which shot did you get?
Teacher Terry
2-13-21, 3:42pm
I got Pfizer. My sister in Illinois had a choice. Here you have to be 70 to qualify by age only.
iris lilies
2-13-21, 4:36pm
So now I’m registered with the city of St. Louis and also apparently in the state database. ? I’m gonna sit back and wait.
I happened to have a conversation with my physician few days ago and she asked me What I was doing to get the vaccine. I told her I was registered for information updates from the city of St. Louis. She said, with urgency in her voice, well you should try Mercy Hospital blah blah blah which is the big hospital near Herman. So fine whatever, I followed her instructions and ended up in the state database which is all they’re doing, registering people for a state database. They don’t have a vaccine either.
I’m not gonna be one of those people hunched over the computer refreshing websites five times a day. I’m registered. It’ll happen when it happens. If it doesn’t happen after several months, then I might push myself forward then
Iris lilies, My husband and I feel the same way. We're registered and will wait. I know several people who seem panicked and urgently scour to find a vaccine. They've mostly succeeded, but they are all pretty social....want to get out! We're happy to stay inside and I personally would like to see the teachers vaccinated and all those people who MUST work. We can wait. We're lucky to be healthy, able to stay in most of the time except for groceries, library book pick up and that's about it.
Teacher Terry
2-13-21, 6:40pm
I thought I was going to have to wait but it turned out I qualified in more than one working category. I really was worried because of my asthma so am very happy.
So now I’m registered with the city of St. Louis and also apparently in the state database. ? I’m gonna sit back and wait.
I happened to have a conversation with my physician few days ago and she asked me What I was doing to get the vaccine. I told her I was registered for information updates from the city of St. Louis. She said, with urgency in her voice, well you should try Mercy Hospital blah blah blah which is the big hospital near Herman. So fine whatever, I followed her instructions and ended up in the state database which is all they’re doing, registering people for a state database. They don’t have a vaccine either.
I’m not gonna be one of those people hunched over the computer refreshing websites five times a day. I’m registered. It’ll happen when it happens. If it doesn’t happen after several months, then I might push myself forward then
I’ll wait myself.
I am registered with my health care provider and will wait. Given the crazy winter weather, I wouldn't want to go out chasing other avenues.
Apparently Alaska has the highest vaccination rate of any state. Interesting article about the unique logistical hurdles faced in vaccinating people in a state without roads connecting everything. Sort of like Bae's county but with extra distance and cold weather thrown in to add excitement.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-09/why-alaska-is-winning-the-covid-vaccine-race?srnd=citylab
One of Zink’s favorite things to do now is scroll through social media to read vaccination stories from across the state: Fairbanks locals biking to their drive-up appointment in sub-zero temperatures; community health aides snowshoeing door-to-door with serums; a Homer boat captain gamely offering to transport nurses through aggressive chop on Kachemak Bay after winter weather grounded their plane, so none of the drug goes to waste. In those posts, she finds words of gratitude and relief and acts of resilience and solidarity.
We are signed up with the state and we wait and wait, no word. Both of us are eligible supposedly, but they are imposing another age cutoff and only vaccinating those 70 and over at this time. So right now, we are being passed over.
Honestly, I wish they would just do the teachers and the children and family members of children so they could get back to school. I think that's more important than vaccinating us.
CT opened eligibility to 65s on Thursday. I got my first shot Friday morning.
I had some luck. None of the news media here has done a very good job of explaining exactly what to expect when you finally qualified, so I went online (very) early Thursday morning I learned that there were two systems to navigate. The local towns are mostly running their sites through the CDC "VAMS" system (stands for vaccine availability systems or something like that). However, some local hospitals are also running their own sites. I first went to my local hospital site but couldn't get an appointment until March 13. I then went to the VAMS site and scored another appointment at a mass vaccination site on Feb. 28.
I was ready to settle for that, but just for giggles that evening I went back to the local hospital website, and lo and behold, there were appointments available for the following morning!
I guess the moral of the story is to be persistent and not take anything for granted. Of course, I canceled my other two appointments, so they are now available for someone else who may already have settled for something later.
Second shot set for March 7 :)
Teacher Terry
2-14-21, 10:55am
Tybee, I think after essential workers everyone 60 and above should be vaccinated because that’s the group with a high death rate from the virus. Our teachers are vaccinated. I kept looking at every site for a appointment as my younger friend did for her mom. Actually nothing was more important than getting the vaccine. My friend dying 2 months ago made that clear.
Our state just started into the 65+ group. The majority of the places I've checked are still only taking appointments for the 70+ group. I'm getting the impression that I will need to make a project out of it to get an appointment in the near future. I'm sort of like IL, where I'm not feeling a big rush and things will get easier. I do have a slight concern that at some point people will start getting the less effective vaccines that are still in the approval process. So far it looks like you get what you get and there are no choices.
My parents finally got an appointment for their first shots tomorrow 45 minutes from their house. I was hoping my brother who lives with them would go, help them navigate the process, and get a companion shot but he didn't. They didn't tell me in time so I could get off work. So now even after their second shot, assuming they are able to get one, I feel like I won't be able to visit them because I work among the public and could infect him. And he has some nutty ideas, one of them being a refusal to carry health insurance, so if he does get sick it could be serious for him.
he has some nutty ideas, one of them being a refusal to carry health insurance, so if he does get sick it could be serious for him.
He's an adult and refuses (not "can't get" or "can't afford") health insurance? COVID-19 can be a medically serious condition for any number of people. But if brother's issue is not the possible severity of the illness but the expense of treating it without health insurance, that decision is on him.
If you want to be super kind and minimize his exposure to you when you visit, fine. But to not be able to visit your parents (they're parents to both of you) because he won't protect himself?
Yes Steve, refuses. He is very left wing and does not like that a private company runs the state website where uninsured people go to find a policy.
Teacher Terry
2-16-21, 9:18pm
I wouldn’t not visit my parents because my brother was a moron. You never know how long you will have them.
SteveinMN
2-17-21, 12:12am
Yes Steve, refuses.
I'm with TT. Visit your parents. Don't waste the opportunity. They shouldn't be punished for your brother's nutty ideas.
Got our first dose of the Moderna vaccine today. Our second will be on St Patrick’s day, which should make it early to remember. We were in our state’s I think second earliest category due to being caregivers for a special needs child. We weren’t even aware of it until they contacted us.
frugal-one
2-17-21, 6:21pm
In this part of WI, the first was ages 75 and up and then ages 65+. We had the first dose on February 3rd. The next will be at week end.
I consider myself a lifelong lefty, but I wouldn't (old-timey saying here) cut off my nose to spite my face. I'd prefer a public option for health care, and I hate the intrusion of insurers into Medicare, but in the meantime, I'll go with the flow.
Things went smoothly today for my parents, but others are not so lucky. Some towns invested in freezers and other supplies to give the vaccine and the governor shut them off abruptly, saying if you can't give at least 750 shots a day you won't get any vaccines.
There was a school in my state called Governor Dummer Academy, later changed to the Governor's Academy because it didn't sound right for an educational institution. Maybe they need to go back to the original name, spell it Dumber this time, and it could memorialize Governor Baker.
rosarugosa
2-18-21, 6:46am
I'm glad things went smoothly for your parents, Jeppy. I was wondering how they made out.
happystuff
2-18-21, 10:49am
My mother, sibling and bil in CA got their 2nd shots yesterday. Yay!!
My state has finally directed vaccination access to my wife's school district, I think it is the last one in the county to qualify. She's scheduled to get her first shot on the 26th at the local high school and the second dose is scheduled for March 19th. She'll be getting the Pfizer version and it will be administered by Kroger.
Interesting reading the various experiences. I was in a local of a large chain pharmacy this morning and because the prescription area was quiet as I went by, I asked if it would be involved in the vaccine delivery. They expect to get their first supply in August this year.
No vaccinations here in Maine or in New Hampshire where we are for those who are 65-70, even those with complicating health conditions. I got a shingrex shot today in New Hampshire and the pharmacist told me her dad in Maine is 64 and has had a stroke and can't get one, and called his doctor to try to facilitate it, and the doctor did not even call him back.
So husband and I are eligible according to the schedule but there are no vaccines for us.
rosarugosa
2-18-21, 5:32pm
No vaccinations here in Maine or in New Hampshire where we are for those who are 65-70, even those with complicating health conditions. I got a shingrex shot today in New Hampshire and the pharmacist told me her dad in Maine is 64 and has had a stroke and can't get one, and called his doctor to try to facilitate it, and the doctor did not even call him back.
So husband and I are eligible according to the schedule but there are no vaccines for us.
That stinks Tybee, but at least the covid rates are pretty low in the 3 northern New England states, so that is one bright spot.
Tybee too bad you are not in Massachusetts. Regardless of age you can get a vaccine for such health conditions as being overweight and smoking. Pick up a couple bad habits and you are set.
dado potato
2-18-21, 8:36pm
I am on the waiting list at the local pharmacy and the local clinic. I believe that when a dose is available, they will call me and I can make an appointment to be jabbed.
Frankly, I believe social distancing, masking, etc., is my defense. I would be happy if my dear wife, or the teachers in the local school, or the school bus drivers, get vaccinated before me. In a couple of years I am sure there will be enough vaccine for everybody.
Meanwhile, solitude and forest bathing can be my portion.
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me
Amanda Kimbrough plays cello and sings the song so well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XftYpn29hPE
Teacher Terry
2-19-21, 12:56am
Tybee, so sorry you haven’t been able to get a vaccine. I feel very lucky.
Tybee, so sorry you haven’t been able to get a vaccine. I feel very lucky.
Thanks Terry. I have done everything they've asked for a year now. I haven't been able to see my grandson in two years. And they just keep changing the rules and now giving shots to others who by the CDC reccs come next, but they have none for us. I'm already isolated and depressed. So this is making me just want to give up.
Kenosha County, WI is limiting vaccinations to county residents only, I heard on the news. Too many people from IL were trying (or had gotten) their shots over the state line.
iris lilies
2-19-21, 2:11pm
Kenosha County, WI is limiting vaccinations to county residents only, I heard on the news. Too many people from IL were trying (or had gotten) their shots over the state line.
Someone in my neighborhood is crossing the Illinois line on Saturday to get a vaccine there. But she does teach in a school system in Illinois, so that’s reasonably fair and probably how she gets a shot to begin with.
frugal-one
2-19-21, 4:20pm
Saw in today's paper (Wisconsin) that 43% of those 65 years or older have had the first shot.
dado potato
2-19-21, 4:36pm
Saw in today's paper (Wisconsin) that 43% of those 65 years or older have had the first shot.
True, as of 2/19, 44.8% of the 65+ year old population in WI have received at least 1 dose.
9% of the 65+ have received the complete series.
Bayfield County is leading the pack on the complete series of vaccinations. 10.6% of the population >16 years old has completed the series.
Bayfield County is leading the pack on the complete series of vaccinations. 10.6% of the population >16 years old has completed the series.
That would make sense. They probably skew older than the general population due to the percentage of retirees in that area.
frugal-one
2-21-21, 2:56pm
We got the 2nd COVID vaccine yesterday... Pfizer. DH had no reaction whatsoever and initially I felt nothing but as the day wore on I felt like someone hit me in the arm with a baseball bat! I could not have dressed myself earlier today .. it was so painful. So, I took some Ibuprofen and it is much better. We both feel a bit tired but that is no big deal. I am glad it is over. It turned out much better than I could have hoped. DS and GD are coming in 10 days. Then I plan on getting a haircut and starting back at the gym. YLMV
We got the 2nd COVID vaccine yesterday... Pfizer. DH had no reaction whatsoever and initially I felt nothing but as the day wore on I felt like someone hit me in the arm with a baseball bat! I could not have dressed myself earlier today .. it was so painful. So, I took some Ibuprofen and it is much better. We both feel a bit tired but that is no big deal. I am glad it is over. It turned out much better than I could have hoped. DS and GD are coming in 10 days. Then I plan on getting a haircut and starting back at the gym. YLMV
That's wonderful, glad the reaction passed, and glad you got your shot!
There is a big disconnect here in what Fauci is saying:
- By summer 2021 everyone who wants a vaccine can get one
- People will need to wear masks into 2022
If vaccines don't stop covid and get us back to normal why risk taking them and deal with the side effects?
Public health officials have lost all common sense and turned into sadistic dictators who enjoy torturing people with masks.
frugal-one
2-21-21, 6:20pm
There is a big disconnect here in what Fauci is saying:
- By summer 2021 everyone who wants a vaccine can get one
- People will need to wear masks into 2022
If vaccines don't stop covid and get us back to normal why risk taking them and deal with the side effects?
Public health officials have lost all common sense and turned into sadistic dictators who enjoy torturing people with masks.
She's baaaaaaacccckkkkk!
frugal-one
2-21-21, 6:20pm
That's wonderful, glad the reaction passed, and glad you got your shot!
Thanks Tybee. I wish the same for everyone!
There is a big disconnect here in what Fauci is saying:
- By summer 2021 everyone who wants a vaccine can get one
- People will need to wear masks into 2022
If vaccines don't stop covid and get us back to normal why risk taking them and deal with the side effects?
Public health officials have lost all common sense and turned into sadistic dictators who enjoy torturing people with masks.
Do you really require hand holding on this? https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
Public health officials have lost all common sense and turned into sadistic dictators who enjoy torturing people with masks.
Go away.
I saw on the news since the Pfizer vaccine is proving 98.5% effective in Israel people there with a vaccine passport are living life normally, going places and not wearing masks. They are the most successful country in the world at vaccination but due to American exceptionalism our leaders refuse to follow their example. No vaccine is 100% effective. 98.5% is about as good as you can get, but nothing is good enough for those who derive power from scaring people.
I saw on the news since the Pfizer vaccine is proving 98.5% effective in Israel people there with a vaccine passport are living life normally, going places and not wearing masks. They are the most successful country in the world at vaccination but due to American exceptionalism our leaders refuse to follow their example. No vaccine is 100% effective. 98.5% is about as good as you can get, but nothing is good enough for those who derive power from scaring people.
How about some actual facts:
Israel (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/israel/) has administered at least one dose of the Pfizer Inc vaccine to more than 45% of its 9 million population, the Health Ministry says. The two-shot regimen has reduced COVID-19 infections by 95.8%, ministry data showed.
While shops were open to all, access to leisure sites like gyms and theatres was limited to vaccinees or those who have recovered from the disease with presumed immunity, a so-called "Green Pass" status displayed on a special Health Ministry app.
Social distancing measures were still in force. Dancing was barred at banquet halls, and synagogues, mosques or churches were required to halve their normal number of worshippers.
Teacher Terry
2-21-21, 10:22pm
I am incredibly grateful for the vaccine and willing to wear a mask until it’s not needed. It’s a small price to pay to get my life back.
The 86 year old senior friend I grocery shop for is getting her first shot next week. She said that two weeks after she gets her second jab, she's going back to doing her own grocery shopping. I've been doing hers since mid-April.
iris lilies
2-22-21, 11:57am
The 86 year old senior friend I grocery shop for is getting her first shot next week. She said that two weeks after she gets her second jab, she's going back to doing her own grocery shopping. I've been doing hers since mid-April.
Good for you!
The do-Goode’s in my neighborhood tried desperately to find people who needed their shopping done. Two large efforts and more than 20 volunteers waiting to shop for people and there are no takers for that service that we are offering free of course.
Good for you!
The do-Goode’s in my neighborhood tried desperately to find people who needed their shopping done. Two large efforts and more than 20 volunteers waiting to shop for people and there are no takers for that service that we are offering free of course.
Friend and I shared a music stand in choir for more than 10 years pre-Covid. There were other volunteers in my parish, but I don’t know if anyone took them up on the offer. Friend’s family was out of state. I was out of work and glad to have something to do.
Teacher Terry
2-22-21, 12:37pm
I wonder if some of the reluctance is that you would have to get cash to give to someone you don’t know so there’s a risk in that. Also with online shopping most people I know were doing pickup.
I wonder if some of the reluctance is that you would have to get cash to give to someone you don’t know so there’s a risk in that. Also with online shopping most people I know were doing pickup.
That’s not the only way to do it. I paid and then friend wrote me a check. Guess it’s different if you don’t know the person.
Teacher Terry
2-22-21, 2:04pm
If you are strangers someone is taking on the small financial risk.
happystuff
2-25-21, 10:37am
Knew someone who supervised a Senior Shoppers program for a local non-profit. They would shop for the person, deliver the products and would receive a check from the person for the amount. This person said they never had an issue with the payments, but that could also be due to the fact that it was an official program type thing instead of person-to-person. Kudos for all your help this whole time to your friend, Tradd.
catherine
2-25-21, 10:50am
Yes, that is so nice of you, Tradd. I'm sure it was much appreciated.
When it comes to the inability for IL's do-gooder friends to find people to shop for, it clearly didn't fill a need for whatever reason. Maybe the older people had family members or friends that were already helping them. Maybe they belong to a church where they have close ties with the members, like Tradd. People underestimate the value in being part of church community. Maybe they enjoyed getting out of the house and went during early "senior hours." Maybe there was an element of distrust of the volunteers, but if they presented themselves as a bona fide community organization, I don't think they'd be afraid that someone would just take off with their money. But maybe they would be. Who knows?
Yes, that is so nice of you, Tradd. I'm sure it was much appreciated.
When it comes to the inability for IL's do-gooder friends to find people to shop for, it clearly didn't fill a need for whatever reason. Maybe the older people had family members or friends that were already helping them. Maybe they belong to a church where they have close ties with the members, like Tradd. People underestimate the value in being part of church community. Maybe they enjoyed getting out of the house and went during early "senior hours." Maybe there was an element of distrust of the volunteers, but if they presented themselves as a bona fide community organization, I don't think they'd be afraid that someone would just take off with their money. But maybe they would be. Who knows?
Or maybe they were satisfied with their professional online delivery or pickup service.
catherine
2-25-21, 11:15am
Or maybe they were satisfied with their professional online delivery or pickup service.
That's right... I think most people would prefer to go the route whereby they don't have to ask others to do them a favor.
iris lilies
2-25-21, 11:18am
Yes, that is so nice of you, Tradd. I'm sure it was much appreciated.
When it comes to the inability for IL's do-gooder friends to find people to shop for, it clearly didn't fill a need for whatever reason. Maybe the older people had family members or friends that were already helping them. Maybe they belong to a church where they have close ties with the members, like Tradd. People underestimate the value in being part of church community. Maybe they enjoyed getting out of the house and went during early "senior hours." Maybe there was an element of distrust of the volunteers, but if they presented themselves as a bona fide community organization, I don't think they'd be afraid that someone would just take off with their money. But maybe they would be. Who knows?
You have hit on something here.
It is The New People in my neighborhood who seem to be anxiously quivering to “help” and I find that—jarring. It jars me out of my tidy world of boundaries where churchy people do churchy things like help the homeless and carry out poor people programs and provide Covid time shopping for those who need it. I secretly think The New People need to just go to church for god sake. Ha ha! In my neighborhood the church for all protestants is a Methodist church, and after a while those who are protestants regardless of what denomination end up going there because it’s quite open and relentlessly liberal. I love the Methodist Church and their peeps, but their point of view drives me crazy sometimes.
Anyway.
I admit that there is room for change and/or compromise here. Perhaps the new people will make a permanent arm of our neighborhood association to be a “social welfare helping arm. “It could evolve into that, I don’t know. Fortunately I am leaving in a couple years so I won’t have to see it. There’s nothing wrong with it inherently except that I am not convinced that division of focus will serve us well in the end. But maybe it will, who knows.
It's funny that the term "do-gooders" becomes an insult.
When aren't we all interested in doing good?
Teacher Terry
2-25-21, 11:41am
I have always helped people individually that needed it. Helping strangers without some type of organization probably isn’t going to work.
happystuff
2-25-21, 11:55am
It's funny that the term "do-gooders" becomes an insult.
When aren't we all interesting in doing good?
From what I have personally seen, we aren't "all" interested in doing good; and it seems to be used as a negative by those who aren't interested (generally speaking). Again, personal observation which is definitely subject to change as I see and experience more.
iris lilies
2-25-21, 11:58am
It's funny that the term "do-gooders" becomes an insult.
When aren't we all interesting in doing good?
I do mean it as less than complimentary because their efforts remind me of herd activity, group-think, going back to high school where THE group activity was rah rah rah ing for our team. I didn’t give a flying fig about our school’s sports teams and could not wait to get out of that environment.
Do-gooding for my neighborhood has traditionally been focused on buildings, infrastructure, and beautification, all goals which I embrace. I’m on the Board of Directors to that point and so am a do-Gooder in that regard.
When they (people in my neighborhood) have to cast about for persons to help, those efforts nearly always reach outside of our neighborhood boundaries. Too much much focus outside of our neighborhood boundaries is wrong. Those discussion of “how much” to “reach out” bore me because it isn’t as though we have everything inside our boundaries under control. We do not. We lost 70% of our revenue last year. Houston we have a problem.
The most ridiculous effort was last year’s plea for money to give to an organization that works in human trafficking. Fortunately, even the members of our dogooder section thought that was reaching a little too far outside of our charter. It was a Board member who asked for the money, though. Ugh.
catherine
2-25-21, 12:01pm
It's funny that the term "do-gooders" becomes an insult.
When aren't we all interesting in doing good?
I agree--it reminds me of the Fountainhead where Rand casts the ambitious, self-serving people as gods and the people in the helping professions as weak and banal. I hated that caricaturization. Then again, I'm not a fan of Ayn Rand.
I think your question is a highly philosophical one that belongs on the Spirituality forum. I don't have any answers, except like all good things, there is sometimes another side to a good thing. In IL's case, I think she's seen people who may have some ulterior motives for "doing good"--namely, seeing themselves as do-gooders. I remember one time our church had a gift-giving campaign for a couple of the needy families in town. So after everything was donated and wrapped, 3-4 people from the congregation went to present the gifts to the families.
I remember that they came back miffed because one of the families "didn't even say thank you!" So, is that why they did it? For the gratitude of people who are ashamed that they can't provide gifts for their own family? They probably felt gratitude, but what a position to be in as a parent, having a parade of church people march up to your door acting like Santa Claus pointing out your inadequacies.
When I think of "charity" I think of something organic--like the way Terry approaches it. To go spiritual on it, my understanding of Jesus is that when people approached him and asked for help, he helped. Otherwise he just led by example.
Yes, we are all trying to do good. Maybe we should just BE good.
iris lilies
2-25-21, 12:04pm
From what I have personally seen, we aren't "all" interested in doing good; and it seems to be used as a negative by those who aren't interested (generally speaking). Again, personal observation which is definitely subject to change as I see and experience more.
As I elaborate below, do-gooding on the basis of differing values is the problem.
When I join organization A with goals to benefit organization A, I want to work to benefit Organization A. I do not want to spend my resources supporting values attributed to Organization B. If I was on board with those values I would just join organization B. It’s pretty simple.
I could write a lot about hobby groups and public benefit organizations because we belong to a lot of them. Mixed values and unclear goals bug me.
These are really interesting responses, and thank you for elaborating. Maybe it is a spiritual question--but again, aren't they all spiritual questions? Maybe it's just where I am at in my personal life that they all seem to be.
iris lilies
2-25-21, 12:09pm
I agree--it reminds me of the Fountainhead where Rand casts the ambitious, self-serving people as gods and the people in the helping professions as weak and banal. I hated that caricaturization. Then again, I'm not a fan of Ayn Rand.
I think your question is a highly philosophical one that belongs on the Spirituality forum. I don't have any answers, except like all good things, there is sometimes another side to a good thing. In IL's case, I think she's seen people who may have some ulterior motives for "doing good"--namely, seeing themselves as do-gooders. I remember one time our church had a gift-giving campaign for a couple of the needy families in town. So after everything was donated and wrapped, 3-4 people from the congregation went to present the gifts to the families.
I remember that they came back miffed because one of the families "didn't even say thank you!" So, is that why they did it? For the gratitude of people who are ashamed that they can't provide gifts for their own family? They probably felt gratitude, but what a position to be in as a parent, having a parade of church people march up to your door acting like Santa Claus pointing out your inadequacies.
When I think of "charity" I think of something organic--like the way Terry approaches it. To go spiritual on it, my understanding of Jesus is that when people approached him and asked for help, he helped. Otherwise he just led by example.
Yes, we are all trying to do good. Maybe we should just BE good.
A little of Ayn Rand goes a long ways and those novels of hers are excrement.
But not surprisingly, I identify somewhat with some parts of libertarian ideals, sometimes. :-)
Teacher Terry
2-25-21, 12:09pm
When you are part of a organization doing good some of the volunteers are on a power trip and do it for recognition and the ability to boss others around. It has soured me on formal helping.
iris lilies
2-25-21, 12:10pm
These are really interesting responses, and thank you for elaborating. Maybe it is a spiritual question--but again, aren't they all spiritual questions? Maybe it's just where I am at in my personal life that they all seem to be.
And I see almost everything as an exercise in values these days. Maybe it is the place in life where we are.
The Chicago Teachers Union was almost on strike a few weeks back, saying they wouldn’t go back until a vaccine was available for everyone. Now they’re bellyaching at the Chicago Public Schools maybe going to require a vaccine for everyone to work in the district.
iris lilies
2-25-21, 12:13pm
When you are part of a organization doing good some of the volunteers are on a power trip and do it for recognition and the ability to boss others around. It has soured me on formal helping.
I will carry permanent resentment toward the person on the board of directors (who by the way is supposed to be sophisticated in working with volunteers and such) for bringing the sex trafficking ask to my board.
I do not agree with the idea of “well you can always ask, it doesn’t hurt to ask.” Because I think it DOES hurt to ask. I resent the acrimony and time and resources it takes to say no to a request. Negative energy is generated from debate resulting in a negative answer.
And I see almost everything as an exercise in values these days. Maybe it is the place in life where we are.
I think you are probably right! And believe me, I am only at this place where I am because of the end of life issues of my parents. I have been brought to this spiritual brink kicking and screaming, if you will.
A little of Ayn Rand goes a long ways and those novels of hers are excrement.
But not surprisingly, I identify somewhat with some parts of libertarian ideals, sometimes. :-)
Likewise to both. I read one or two of Rand's books when I was a callow youth: fortunately, they had no effect on me. Her characters were so clearly of the cartoon variety. :(
happystuff
2-25-21, 1:20pm
As I elaborate below, do-gooding on the basis of differing values is the problem.
When I join organization A with goals to benefit organization A, I want to work to benefit Organization A. I do not want to spend my resources supporting values attributed to Organization B. If I was on board with those values I would just join organization B. It’s pretty simple.
I could write a lot about hobby groups and public benefit organizations because we belong to a lot of them. Mixed values and unclear goals bug me.
Yes, I can see what you are saying and would definitely be upset if what I volunteered for was not what where my efforts ended up.
ApatheticNoMore
2-25-21, 2:03pm
Likewise to both. I read one or two of Rand's books when I was a callow youth: fortunately, they had no effect on me. Her characters were so clearly of the cartoon variety.
I liked them some (they were still too long and had too many boring speeches) when a callow youth.
But I think the independence stuff is mostly about breaking away from the parental unit, and not fitting in as a teen, when your haven't even reached the age of majority. Selfish, what 16 year old isn't already selfish, just by being, in their parent's view? They all are. Adulthood is a whole different ballgame though.
I liked them some (they were still too long and had too many boring speeches) when a callow youth.
But I think the independence stuff is mostly about breaking away from the parental unit, and not fitting in as a teen, when your haven't even reached the age of majority. Selfish, what 16 year old isn't already selfish, just by being, in their parent's view? They all are. Adulthood is a whole different ballgame though.
Yeah--the swill she wrote elevated selfishness to the level of moral supremacy.
Chuckling... I didn't feel interested in this thread originally because Canadian vaccine issues will be different.. I dropped in on post in #230's to find the discussion about the writings of Ayn Rand. Never would I have expected that deviation in a covid thread. Delightful!! I won't look back to see how it all happened as the humour of is is enough.
iris lilies
2-25-21, 4:26pm
Chuckling... I didn't feel interested in this thread originally because Canadian vaccine issues will be different.. I dropped in on post in #230's to find the discussion about the writings of Ayn Rand. Never would I have expected that deviation in a covid thread. Delightful!! I won't look back to see how it all happened as the humour of is is enough.
I can write for hours about hobby groups, organizations, how they operate, their goals and activity, etc., I’m on the board and an officer in several and it’s what interests me.
I sat through a 2 1/2 hour zoom meeting this morning for a national group. I have to say those garden club ladies are pretty damned organized and rigorous in their expectations. I like that! It is the local garden clubs that sometimes lose their focus. That’s why I don’t belong to a local garden club other than the design group which I love because it is so very focused on one thing: floral design. We don’t do anything else.
I just renewed my hort society membership today and it will continue to be as a distant member. Actually it was discussion on SLF (probably, you,IL) that helped me understand why I found small groups with few leadership skills so exhausting and now have withdrawn to a remote status in all of them. I am much happier, as are they, I am sure.
dado potato
2-26-21, 12:11pm
I had my first Moderna shot a little less than an hour ago. I feel gratitude that my turn came, and I appreciate the friendly and efficient people who did the job.
I notice a little brain fog, so I think I will not try to do anything that is mentally challenging today.
My wife got her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine about half an hour ago. I'm still trying to secure an appointment somewhere, anywhere.
Me too, Alan, we're unable to get them here even though we are eligible.
you can also drive to amarillo texas and get them there--my brother and sil did that. They have extras and don't care what state you are from.
Me too, Alan, we're unable to get them here even though we are eligible.
you can also drive to amarillo texas and get them there--my brother and sil did that. They have extras and don't care what state you are from.My wife got hers through her school. I thought I'd secured an appointment two days ago when I discovered that a local provider had 35 open appointments for 65 or older residents. I chose my appointment time online then went through the sign up process which took 3-5 minutes to complete. When I pressed 'Continue' to complete the process I was notified that my chosen appointment time and date were no longer available. When I went back to start again all 35 appointment times had disappeared and as of this morning there are still none available.
Yesterday I signed up through our county's Public Health Department to be notified when an appointment becomes available in their facilities for those aged 65 or older, but they advised that there were over 10,000 county residents signed up so far although they were only receiving 300 to 400 doses per week, so it may take 6 months or more to get to me.
As an aside, I was born in Amarillo Tx., but other than a drive through several years ago during a trip west, haven't been back there since 1955. I think I'll pass on that roughly 2500 mile round trip option, but will keep it in mind for our scheduled western ramble later this summer. ;)
Yeah, they were in Santa Fe, so it made a whole lot more sense for them.
iris lilies
2-26-21, 2:39pm
The random nature of these appointments is maddening.
A few minutes ago I read on Nextdoor that a local hospital is giving Covid shots to those in our ZIP Code. I called, reached a human who set an appointment for next Wednesday at 1 PM. Sounds like the real deal. I called two households in my neighborhood to make sure they knew about this.
I had planned to sit tight with the three online registrations I was on and wait for it to come my way, but it seemed lazy to not try this one source that seems to be targeting my ZIP Code.
They started checking IDs for our second shot. Only Indiana residents. First shot they did not care.
Amazing how strange the distribution is and what dates/times are available around the state. Even in our big city, there are more shots available downtown than there are in the suburbs or at the smaller hospitals. I have told many to check my zipcode and they got a shot in 1-2 weeks. Otherwise it is a month or more. (but I live within one mile of nine big hospitals from Childrens to Veterans, a medical school, and two trauma centers.
I am NOT ok with Oregonians coming across the river to my WA city and taking hard-sought and rare vaccine appointments. They sure as hell don't want us coming over there!
Process is extremely frustrating.
I'm not sure this will be helpful, but it may serve as an initial sort.
Good luck, everyone.
Vaccinefinder.org
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