I'm happy that I got my Covid vaccine shot last Saturday. However, unlike many others, I do not have a sense of great relief and safety.
Here in Alberta, Canada there is a staggering amount of disorganization when it comes to distributing the vaccine. I got my shot when they opened it up for anybody over 75. Now I was disturbed, to say the least , to find out that in many senior residences and care centers, the residents have not received a shot. I feel badly for these people as many of them are not in good health. Why leave them in a very vulnerable condition and no vaccination? Most of these people are well over 75. My friend's 90 year old mother, who resides in a senior residence, got covid about a week ago.
I was maybe too hopeful and naive to think that the vaccine would prevent us from contracting covid! All kinds of statistics have been bantered around. We hear numbers such as 90% , 95% ! We don't really listen and understand what those numbers mean. I can't put numbers to things , but I now know that the vaccine may not necessarily prevent us from getting Covid-19 but may prevent a more serious illness from Covid. It may prevent us from death. It is compared to the flu vaccine we get every year.
Some people have expressed great relief when they get the first shot. I hope that sometime later , they are not disappointed. I don't share that great emotion. I know I'm better off having the covid shot. I'm just not sure how much better off I am with the vaccine.
One thing for sure is that we must still practice all the good habits to keep from getting and spreading the disease. So keep on wearing a mask, washing your hands and keeping your distance.
Having said all this I'm glad that I got the shot. I'm far better off with a shot than without a shot. I urge everybody to get the shot as soon as possible.
Yes the shot will save your life if you get Covid. Wash your hands , wear a mask:)
ReplyDeleteSo many ifs. We still have to work at it.
DeleteI'm surprised the senior residences have not all had their shots yet. Here it was people in the retirement homes and the medical workers that were first to receive the vaccine. I got my first shot last week and I am very grateful for it. I am with you in encouraging others to get it when it is available to them.
ReplyDeleteThe people in our senior residences were to get theirs first but it didn't happen.
DeleteI agree that we still have to be cautious. Thank you for the reminder because I was already wanting to see my children and grandchildren on the mainland. I needed the reminder from you and Dr. Fauci that we still need to be more cautious. It’s not normal yet.
ReplyDeleteRestaurants are open here but it's too soon.
DeleteI was releived to hear it protected us from the most serious effects of the illness. I know we still have to be cautious (masks, etc.) but I have to say that getting it has put a spring in my step!
ReplyDeleteIt also means that we may be able to limit things so that there is very little out there to spread.
DeleteSorry to hear about the disorganization. I think it's to be expected when they are trying to roll out the vaccine as quickly as possible. In BC things are taking a bit longer because they have taken time to do some planning and figure out how to get the vaccine to the oldest people first. The news has been telling us which ages can phone the number to register on what date and so on. Unfortunately the phone number where we phone to register has been difficult to get through to because so many people were trying to register. Despite the planning there are still issues.
ReplyDeleteThat's what happened here. We finally found a local drugstore that was giving shots and got an appointment. It worked very well.
DeleteHello
ReplyDeleteI did hear the vaccine will help, in the end you would or could get the virus. It means you will not get a bad case where you end up in the hospital. I will feel safer after getting the vaccine. I think they should have started with the elderly in the senior homes. Take care! Have a great day and a happy weekend!
I've known people who were very, very sick so I hope it cuts down on the very sick.
DeleteI get my second shot on the 23rd and am looking forward to it with a bit of trepidation, but I wouldn't miss getting it for anything. Glad to hear you're on your way to being fully vaccinated. :-)
ReplyDeleteThee seems to be debate about the best time to get the second shot.
DeleteMy wife is a healthcare professional that is giving the vaccine. Part of the problem is that even though the older people need it, in order to get full schedules to not waste the vaccine, they have to keep opening it up to younger people. It takes a lot of work tracking down people who need the vaccine and then many back out due to weather, other appointments, or simply got the vaccine else where. So if they have 100 doses to give out, they may end up calling 500 elderly people to fill that up or they can open up the ages brackets and call a fraction of that amount.
ReplyDeleteAnother problem here in our area anyway, is that the state decides who gets the vaccine and thus the distribution of it. My wife's clinic has 4500 80 year olds and above out of the 6000 that live in our county. Their clinic only gets 100 doses a week just like dozens of pharmacies, grocery stores, etc. These latter places don't have phone numbers so the only way to schedule is online and many elderly don't understand how to do that. My wife's clinic has contact information and regularly sets appointments but yet aren't given more than 100 doses a week because it isn't "fair".
It is chaotic for sure but it will eventually get done if we can all hang in long enough. I just hope everyone is taking notes for the next time a pandemic rolls through.
So we are our own worst enemy if we can't make the appointments to get the shots.
DeleteSeniors in residences were well protected here and among the first vaccinated. Our government and PublicHealth officer did a great job so far. Seniors 75 plus and young people in the service industry are being vaccinated now. Our turn is a month or more away.
ReplyDeleteSomebody knows how to organize there.
DeleteThe rollout is slow here, but from what I can see, it is well-targetted.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. The vaccine is not foolproof, but it will reduce the chance of contracting the virus and then reduce the chance of getting seriously ill if we do contract it. Of course, then we want something close to herd immunity to click in. I am getting anxious,but like you, I don't think that I will be over-the-moon ecstatic.
I also hope that the amount of virus out there to spread will be much less and so less chance of spreading.
DeleteI agree. We won't be getting it anytime soon. It lessens symptoms and reduces deaths.
DeleteYes! I got my first shot last Friday and looking forward to my second dose on April 2nd. Still planning on wearing a mask until it's really safe out there for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThey don't seem to be emphasizing that we still take precautions.
DeleteRed, well said. The distribution of the vaccine has been very complex down here in “the states” as well. I think it’s been a real challenge to governments everywhere to get the vaccine into arms. I especially like the way you closed the post with keep doing the right things and stay safe. Now is not the time to let our guard down.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have to continue to follow best practices.
DeleteYou are right to remind us all that getting a COVID shot may not create some kind of impregnable forcefields around us.
ReplyDeleteBut it will help and we need all the help we can get.
DeleteI got my first shot on Mar. 3rd and will get the 2nd dose in early April. I will continue to wear a mask when out to protect others. I feel hopeful, tho, that it will be safer to visit with others again. How nice that will be!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think things will open up for us.
DeleteSemoga wabah covid ini lekas berlalu..
ReplyDeleteHere they started vaccinating 85 and olders, now they're on to the 70s. Hopefully all the older people will get their shots first.
ReplyDeleteI also worry bout front line workers. they need to be safer.
DeleteIt'll be awhile yet.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be a while before we forget too.
DeleteI was not that relieved, either, after my first shot, more so after my second. However now that is has been nearly two weeks, I am feeling a sense of freedom. We ate out last night for the first time in a year. We felt almost giddy!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think we will have more freedom.
DeleteI have every confidence my vaccination and my own safety precautions will keep me protectd.
ReplyDeleteIf we do get covid I hope it's a mild case.
DeleteWhen I got my shot yesterday, the nurse told me that after the second dose I'd have about 85 percent immunity -- and even if I did get Covid, it would be much less serious. So, yeah, no vaccine is 100 percent effective, but we're much better off with it than without it.
ReplyDeleteStill no vaccination invitation received...
ReplyDeleteMost definitely we will keep wearing our masks and following all the other advice. We have had our first shot and will get our second soon, but realize it is not a given that we won't get the virus. We will be following those safety precautions for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteAs bad as this was and is, when you think about the 1918 flu, it's a miracle we have this vaccine ... along with the other know-how to avoid getting the disease if we're smart enough to take the advice.
ReplyDeleteHi Red. Thought of you when a cousin posted this on Facebook. With your birding experience you may already know about the red/yellow feather phenomenon. I apologize for putting it in comments but didn't know your email. Leslie in NJ
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/yellow-cardinal-illinois-rare-one-million/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6i&linkId=113098444&fbclid=IwAR2uCYl35sd9Rjv4rSPvKHBvsoMumNnHWdWE8WVG6k8IvzKxmq81P7s3geU
This is good advice, Red, and like yourself we have also received the second shot this past weekend. And, we too have no illusions that it will be the quick cure-all because masks and distancing are still in effect. It is amazing how many people have said they will not get the vaccine and that mystifies me considering the possible alternatives.
ReplyDeleteWe have had both vaccines now and I do feel better about the whole thing. Still wearing a mask and being careful. We have neighbors who refuse to get the vaccine. Sure wish everyone would.
ReplyDeletei am happy you got vaccinated dear Red !
ReplyDeletei share your concerns but only can hope that things work better for public