Post by timorousbeastie on Feb 2, 2021 16:52:51 GMT -5
I got my shot yesterday. I volunteered to work a vaccine clinic, where they then give all volunteers a shot. Thanks to chemo I received in my early 20s, my lungs are in pretty bad shape, so a COVID infection likely would not end well for me. So having the ability (and the privilege) to get the shot now when my state isn’t showing signs of opening up availability to preexisting conditions any time soon is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Working the clinic was honestly one of the most rewarding things I have been a part of in a long, long time. My job was to stand outside in 25 degree weather while it was snowing (thankfully not nor’easter snow, just steady flurries all day), helping people with their paperwork while they waited in their cars. I think ~700 people came while I was there. Every single person was so happy to be there, even after waiting an hour or more in the car line. One couple told me “You’re helping save our lives, so we wanted to give you this lotto ticket.” It was a “Cash for Life” scratcher (no, I did not win cash for life, but I definitely teared up at the sentiment). I get to volunteer again when I get my second shot, and I can’t wait. If anyone has the opportunity to volunteer with a vaccine clinic (even one that doesn’t provide the vaccine for volunteers), I would highly recommend it.
Post by turkturkleton on Feb 2, 2021 18:02:42 GMT -5
I've mostly stayed out of these threads since vaccine distribution became a thing in the US/UK, because they've honestly been a bit infuriating. Most posters were livid when those GOP Congressmen/women were getting their shots after publicly denying COVID. And yet, the US as a whole is doing exactly that--it denied the virus over and over, and now it's one of the first countries getting it's shots.
I live in a country that had incredibly strict lockdowns for quite some time. We still have cities/states going into lockdown as cases pop up. Our external borders have been closed since March. Meanwhile, the US did nearly nothing to stop the spread of the virus, didn't stop their citizens from traveling and spreading it, had several leaders (including the President!) vehemently deny COVID's very existence and reject the science of the virus. And now a good majority of the existing vaccines are going there. Our country was supposed to begin vaccinating our healthcare and border workers this month, but our supply has been delayed due to global shortages. We can't even begin to vaccinate our vulnerable populations because the US and UK have needed so many doses, and there's a finite amount that can be manufactured right now.
I live in a fairly wealthy country that has already ordered (and will likely receive) enough vaccine does for everyone to be fully vaccinated in 2021. There are so many more countries that will be put to the back of the line when wealthy countries demand they get more and start throwing their money around. It's the same issue as the wealthy white people going into poorer, majority minority neighborhoods and taking those doses, just on a global scale. So many people who are not in the most at-risk categories have justified their getting vaccines at the expense of other Americans who are more vulnerable; it feels like the rest of the world doesn't stand a chance.
I qualify due to work. So happy to have started this so I can avoid stressing about the anti-maskers and covid deniers at work (some of whom I have to work quite closely with...).
Things appear to be a bit of a cluster, organizationally, with vaccine sign ups for my county. Here's hoping I can get my second shot within the 4-6 week window from this shot. The county only has an online sign up, and they have done very little to ensure a timely second shot. The last two online sign ups were fully booked within a few minutes of opening up.
I got my shot yesterday. I volunteered to work a vaccine clinic, where they then give all volunteers a shot. Thanks to chemo I received in my early 20s, my lungs are in pretty bad shape, so a COVID infection likely would not end well for me. So having the ability (and the privilege) to get the shot now when my state isn’t showing signs of opening up availability to preexisting conditions any time soon is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Working the clinic was honestly one of the most rewarding things I have been a part of in a long, long time. My job was to stand outside in 25 degree weather while it was snowing (thankfully not nor’easter snow, just steady flurries all day), helping people with their paperwork while they waited in their cars. I think ~700 people came while I was there. Every single person was so happy to be there, even after waiting an hour or more in the car line. One couple told me “You’re helping save our lives, so we wanted to give you this lotto ticket.” It was a “Cash for Life” scratcher (no, I did not win cash for life, but I definitely teared up at the sentiment). I get to volunteer again when I get my second shot, and I can’t wait. If anyone has the opportunity to volunteer with a vaccine clinic (even one that doesn’t provide the vaccine for volunteers), I would highly recommend it.
I volunteered on Wednesday last week (did not get vaccinated, though) and I totally agree about how rewarding it was! It was so amazing to be able to do something that is going to help end this thing! I volunteered an hour away from my home, which is hard for me to do much due to work, so I'm trying to get signed up as a volunteer here in my county because I want to volunteer more!
turkturkleton, something I’ve been wondering, and you kinda touched on... do people in other countries blame the US for this still going on? I can’t help but see how other countries (like NZ) got it under control. And I wonder if we did, would it have settled? Are we the reason it’s still circulating all over the globe?
turkturkleton, something I’ve been wondering, and you kinda touched on... do people in other countries blame the US for this still going on? I can’t help but see how other countries (like NZ) got it under control. And I wonder if we did, would it have settled? Are we the reason it’s still circulating all over the globe?
Based on discussion with my Mom this disease was always going to be a big problem in developing nations, particularly Central and South America and India. Countries do not have enough money to pay their populations to stay at home, they do not have the infrastructure to work from home, and residents do not have any savings to support extended stay at home. They also have very dense cities, multigenerational households, and cultures that heavily rely on on family help to support children and the elderly.
Now, when we’re looking at how all of this seeded and keeps cropping up, absolutely the US shares a big piece of the blame. Canada has to have a somewhat porous border with the US due to shipping and those border areas are where our numbers are at their worst. That also corresponds with our most heavily populated areas, but there’s no way that Canada can fix Covid if there is so much spread in the US.
Canada is also struggling with major vaccine cancellations and delays. We are working on securing manufacture within our own borders since it looks as though the EU is making moves to further restrict our supply. As of right now, we will not be vaccinating anyone under 65 until after September. This puts us at huge risk with these new variants, hence the flight and border restrictions that have been put in place.
I have a question for work. Once employees are fully vaccinated, do they still need to quarantine for an exposure etc.?
I know in the last post some schools have stated that teachers do not have to quarantine. However, I am waiting to hear something more official on this from the CDC or my state or local health department or others in my industry (which is not schools).
My sister is a ER doctor and fully vaccinated for a few weeks. Her BF got covid (not vaccinated yet) abd her work made her quarantine for 5 days and test before going back.
Today I learned that one reason that flu is so seasonal is that schools are big spreaders so it goes up when school is in session (fall winter spring) and goes down in summer (and that inverts in the southern hemisphere)
I know several others have already replied, but my lymph nodes swelled up starting 5 days (if I recall correctly, or maybe 4?) after my first dose of Moderna and stayed swollen and painful for 2-3 days. I get my second tomorrow, so I'm not sure what will happen there.
Keep me posted, would you? I assume that’s what this is - it’s a little tender to the touch, slightly larger than a pea, and it moves. Sitting right on my collarbone.
Mine were in my armpit and only on the vaccine side. I'm not complaining since I'm very grateful to have gotten the vaccine, but it was the most painful vaccine experience I've had, in case that helps reassure you that the vaccine could be causing yours, as well.
turkturkleton , something I’ve been wondering, and you kinda touched on... do people in other countries blame the US for this still going on? I can’t help but see how other countries (like NZ) got it under control. And I wonder if we did, would it have settled? Are we the reason it’s still circulating all over the globe?
I can't speak to blame or anything like that, though I've seen a good deal of anger since the news reported that our vaccine rollout is going to be delayed due to supply issues, when it's obvious other countries are still receiving doses. We have a nation-wide rollout plan and the infrastructure in place for the first stages, so watching the US, in particular, distribute vaccines in such a slapdash way is certainly not helping.
I see a lot of people in my country feeling like we're being punished for doing the right thing and making sacrifices to stop COVID in its tracks. I'm sure that's an idea that people here can empathize with, because it's a common complaint on this board. There seems to be a disconnect between having that feeling in your own life and realizing that your country as a whole may be doing that to most of the world, even if you as an individual are not responsible.
Post by turkturkleton on Feb 3, 2021 0:30:10 GMT -5
I'm not unhappy that people in the US/UK are getting aid in the form of the vaccines. Those countries have been ravaged due to incompetent and malicious governance, and the individuals working essential jobs and taking the associated risks deserve to be protected. But they are certainly not the only places hit hard, even if the case and fatality rates are lower elsewhere. When you read story after story of wealthy people who are working from home indefinitely getting their vaccines because of their connections, or a job-related loophole, or the privilege to travel to other areas with doses meant for more at-risk communities, it gets harder to have sympathy about the disparity as a whole.
My husband works with a group of non medical first responders that are on a special project where they are the ones that are sent to confirmed covid+ homes. Out of 12 of them that were identified for vaccines, only 6 wanted one. I cannot wrap my head around this.
Now, when we’re looking at how all of this seeded and keeps cropping up, absolutely the US shares a big piece of the blame. Canada has to have a somewhat porous border with the US due to shipping and those border areas are where our numbers are at their worst. That also corresponds with our most heavily populated areas, but there’s no way that Canada can fix Covid if there is so much spread in the US.
Canada is also struggling with major vaccine cancellations and delays. We are working on securing manufacture within our own borders since it looks as though the EU is making moves to further restrict our supply. As of right now, we will not be vaccinating anyone under 65 until after September. This puts us at huge risk with these new variants, hence the flight and border restrictions that have been put in place.
The bolded stood out to me since the population of Canada is so small compared to the US (a little over 1/10th), I'm surprised the Biden administration isn't reaching out to ensure critical essential workers in Canada can still be vaccinated. It would only mildly delay our rollout and while the whole world needs vaccines the relationship between Canada and the US is different than any other.
Scanning news reports there looks to be a wide range of estimates for when Canada can be vaccinated, with some saying as early as September to be fully vaccinated and some saying later dates. Fingers crossed the current projections are pessimistic.
ETA: Never mind my ranting, apparently the problem is on the Canadian end of the US-Canadian Partnership. From Vox last week: In the meantime, Canada depends on COVID-19 vaccine imports, a situation further complicated by that fact that Health Canada needs to vet facilities where vaccines are developed: right now, the country gets all of its Moderna and Pfizer doses from vetted European sites, and can’t accept those made in the U.S.
And while Canadians are getting half the expected Pfizer doses, the European Union will still get 92 percent of ordered doses between now and February 15, according to reports.
bee20 I can’t find the Vox article you quoted. I would be interested in reading it since I hadn’t heard that information previously. My understanding is that when Canada approached Moderna and Pfizer we were told what plant we would be provided vaccines from and made our plans accordingly.
Canada has had a really hard time with the US during all of this, particularly since 45 initially tried to cut off our entire N95 supply point in March of last year. We have been doing a lot of diplomacy to maintain supply chains all around. While the current shipments from the EU are being allowed this week, we now basically have to ask permission and exert pressure every week to secure our doses moving forward. That seems untenable. But who cares, it’s just Canada. ETA: Please note I am bitter as hell this week. Covid sucks for everyone. I am truly happy for every person who gets a vaccine. I know that the rollout has been an unequal shitshow in the US. I think I’m just struggling personally. We had a little morale boost in December and then 6 weeks of full lockdown locally for me. I’m in marriage counseling now. My grandma and ILs are super depressed. I am struggling in every way imaginable. It’s the dead of winter and I can’t even get out to do fun winter activities that make it worthwhile to live here since they are all closed. This is me being actually pessimistic and screaming into the void.
Y'all--my arm feels like an alligator tried to rip it off. OMG, it's every flu shot I've ever gotten rolled into 1. I don't have any other after-effects (1st dose), but damn, it hurts so much.
I think the concern about people feeling bad after shot 1 and subsequently not getting shot 2 is real.
Y'all--my arm feels like an alligator tried to rip it off. OMG, it's every flu shot I've ever gotten rolled into 1. I don't have any other after-effects (1st dose), but damn, it hurts so much.
I think the concern about people feeling bad after shot 1 and subsequently not getting shot 2 is real.
which kind did you get? i'm getting my first dose in a few hours and i'm a little nervous
Pfizer. I took some Tylenol and it feels a bit better, but good grief, that was intense.
which kind did you get? i'm getting my first dose in a few hours and i'm a little nervous
Pfizer. I took some Tylenol and it feels a bit better, but good grief, that was intense.
I got my first Moderna shot yesterday, and I would say my last TDaP hurt more.
I even slept on that arm last night. It aches still, feels a bit tight/sore, so I assume the muscle is a bit swollen, but otherwise, so far, that's it for me.
The first set of vaccines are scheduled to be in the country this month! We ae part of the COVX scheme and will be getting teh AStra-Zenica vaccines. The first set have been reserved for health care workers which is wonderful as they have taken on so much risk, andw e often cant access/afford the necessary protective items for them.
We were originally told April for our first shipment so this is good news for us.
jeaniebueller I have had both doses of Pfizer now and had only very mild tenderness in my arm both times. It really seems to vary a lot between people.
Yesterday I had a low fever (100-101) and was pretty tired but no other major effects. Back to normal today.
Breaking—Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine not only protects people from serious illness and death, but also substantially *slows the transmission by nearly 2/3rds* (pre print).
“The study by researchers at the University of Oxford is the first to document evidence that any coronavirus vaccine can reduce transmission of the virus.
Researchers measured the impact on transmission by swabbing participants every week seeking to detect signs of the virus. If there is no virus present, even if someone is infected, it cannot be spread. And they found a 67 percent reduction in positive swabs among those vaccinated.
The results, detailed by Oxford and AstraZeneca researchers in a manuscript that has not been peer-reviewed, found that the vaccine could cut transmission by nearly two-thirds.”
I read that a “secondary finding” of Moderna was that it reduces infection likelihood by 2/3. And of course serious illness/death by 95%. But if infection likelihood is only cut by 60% (still good of course) it seems fairly likely that someone could be a carrier. Am I understanding that right?
Breaking—Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine not only protects people from serious illness and death, but also substantially *slows the transmission by nearly 2/3rds* (pre print).
“The study by researchers at the University of Oxford is the first to document evidence that any coronavirus vaccine can reduce transmission of the virus.
Researchers measured the impact on transmission by swabbing participants every week seeking to detect signs of the virus. If there is no virus present, even if someone is infected, it cannot be spread. And they found a 67 percent reduction in positive swabs among those vaccinated.
The results, detailed by Oxford and AstraZeneca researchers in a manuscript that has not been peer-reviewed, found that the vaccine could cut transmission by nearly two-thirds.”
I read that a “secondary finding” of Moderna was that it reduces infection likelihood by 2/3. And of course serious illness/death by 95%. But if infection likelihood is only cut by 60% (still good of course) it seems fairly likely that someone could be a carrier. Am I understanding that right?
67% is high enough that it truly shouldn’t matter—as long as enough people are vaccinated (and we practice strict risk mitigation strategies until we reach that level)
I’m usually a Debbie Downer but this is really, really good news.
And I understand being bitter. I'm not surprised that the wealthier countries are putting themselves at the head of the line, but I am surprised they are shutting out even close allies. In the article it's saying Europe is limiting the export of vaccines made in its borders so it's not just the US and 45.
I read that a “secondary finding” of Moderna was that it reduces infection likelihood by 2/3. And of course serious illness/death by 95%. But if infection likelihood is only cut by 60% (still good of course) it seems fairly likely that someone could be a carrier. Am I understanding that right?
67% is high enough that it truly shouldn’t matter—as long as enough people are vaccinated (and we practice strict risk mitigation strategies until we reach that level)
I’m usually a Debbie Downer but this is really, really good news.
Right, I think it is similar to what you were saying the other day about none of us are protected until we all are (I’m paraphrasing). But as far as a scenario like visiting my parents — a vaccinated adult seeing an older unvaccinated parent, without masking, is probably too high a risk for my comfort level, if there’s like a 30% chance that I could be a carrier (as long as there are high levels in the community as there are now, also, is that how stats work, lol)
kittenponypony , data like this doesn't (IMO) give vaccinated people a free pass. but it means that our overall population (large majority unvaccinated) may be a little bit safer each week/month going about their essential activities. and that's amazing.
67% is high enough that it truly shouldn’t matter—as long as enough people are vaccinated (and we practice strict risk mitigation strategies until we reach that level)
I’m usually a Debbie Downer but this is really, really good news.
Right, I think it is similar to what you were saying the other day about none of us are protected until we all are (I’m paraphrasing). But as far as a scenario like visiting my parents — a vaccinated adult seeing an older unvaccinated parent, without masking, is probably too high a risk for my comfort level, if there’s like a 30% chance that I could be a carrier (as long as there are high levels in the community as there are now, also, is that how stats work, lol)
lol, no. If you otherwise had a 10% of being a carrier, after vaccine you have a 3.3% chance.
(30%ish would mean you had a base rate of close to 100% - ie. *everyone* is a carrier)