Today my company begins our "Return to Work" plan for the folks that have been working from home. (there are positions that couldn't be done from home, so some folks have been on site thru everything)
I go back today.
We have temperature checks, mask mandates (unless separated by 6 feet or a wall that goes to the ceiling), and so forth in place. They tried introducing an app for daily health questionnaires - I think other locations might be using it, but mine isn't (yet). We have had several vaccination clinics at work, available to all employees (and some clinics that prioritized folks that had to be on site earlier). Our county allows anyone over 16 who works or lives in county to get vaccinated, so if folks missed the clinic at work, they can get a shot at the county clinic.
The cafeteria is open, although with limited options (it's been open for all but the worst of the shut down - again, we had folks working on site). No re-fillable cups allowed anywhere, so they have disposable available.
It all sounds lovely, except.... We have a bunch of anti-maskers and covid-deniers. And the company was handing out gaiters at one point, early on in the pandemic, and of the folks who do cover their face, many are only doing so with a single layer of one of those gaiters that are nearly a year old at this point...
And, case numbers and hospital numbers are rising locally. Being on the border of IL/IA has some affect, I'm sure (IA has basically no mitigations anymore)...
It should be interesting to see how the next few weeks go. This is phase 1, of several planned phases. I requested that I be included in this phase - I have tasks piling up that are more easily done if I can be on site regularly, so I did request to be in the first phase going in. I have packed up my home office, and am bringing my wagon with me to haul it all in to the office, hopefully in only 1 or 2 trips from the car (each trip out to the car requires an additional temperature check...).
Today is the day everyone 16+ is eligible for vaccines here. I’m split between how this is going to go. As of right now, there’s one option for booking appointments on the vax search site. The clinic where I’ve been helping finally added an online option to register to be called for appointments. I’m guessing we’re going to walk in to a HUGE list of people to call, but many will already have appointments. The clinic director is actually worried that we’re going to have more doses than we can fill very soon.
I believe I got the Covid Arm. One week exactly from when I got moderna it showed up. It doesn't hurt. Just looks like someone punched me. I think it's just par of the course and I shouldn't worry as it will resolve itself, right? It doesn't itch or anything.
I’m super happy for everyone and families who have been able to get the vaccine and it’s like a weight is lifted watching life cautiously improve at home even from thousands of miles away.
**PDQ - Rant ahead and tw @ mentioned** I’m also having a pity party for my family and colleagues here in Hong Kong who have been weathering this storm for more than 14 months literally stuck on an island. Over promises of vaccines in January has led to dashed hopes of travel and family reunions with many literally stuck. It has gotten old having to constantly worry about local government policies that force separation of families, and more - children from parents if a close contact or family member tests positive. A positive case with a close contact gives you no choice to quarantine at home but rather gets you a one way ticket to a mandatory two week stay at a sparse government quarantine camp where you are stuck in room, not made for families or children, no ability to leave the designated one room facility you are assigned, without a kitchen and in many cases - no Internet or hot water. Daily medical surveillance is required. If you test positive you have no choice but to be sent to an isolation ward at a hospital, even if you are asymptomatic, while your family gets sent to a government camp. Travel is impossible unless you want a mandatory 21 day stay at a designated government quarantine hotel with incredibly tiny rooms, a government bracelet to track your location and temperature, and often no fresh air - all at your own expense, making the quarantine restrictions the longest and some of the harshest in the world. The local government has also instituted “ambush lockdowns” where the local government surprises you at night, forces you and your family to wake up late at night to do a COVID test, and won’t let anyone come to or leave the residential building until a negative test is produced. Aggressive contact tracing has led to more than 40,000 people sent to a government camp over the past 14 months. If anyone tests positive at work or in your building, a mandatory government compulsory testing notice goes out for your work place of residential facility. If you don’t test, you face steep fines and/or imprisonment. Whole classes of very young children have recently been sent to camps or hospitals if a parent accompanying their child or student in class tests positive, at times, with no parents. It’s heart breaking to watch. I feel like testing here is not used defensively because people are scared of the consequences if you test positive.
I guess the trade off is the infection rate and mortality rate has remained relatively low but it has come at a tremendous cost. Mentality really is inconvenience and sacrifice of a few for the benefit of many. Reflecting on more than a year of this I’m not sure I could deal with this again given the constant stress of having my kids separated from me if I happen to get sick or be labeled a close contact if you happen to take the wrong taxi to work on a given day. It’s so draining and like trying to dodge an invisible bullet every time we leave our apartment.
But then I see the pictures of my friends and their families at home and that gives me hope that the light at the end of the tunnel will be here soon for us too. At least there is hope right?
Post by eponinepontmercy on Apr 5, 2021 8:53:37 GMT -5
Apparently, DH's best friend and his wife, who have been the most paranoid about the virus (she was a major germaphobe before this), will not be getting the vaccine because "they don't want to be lab rats."
Have I mentioned they are driving to Florida from NJ for vacation this month? But that's okay because they rented a house and will be on a beach away from people.
toutsuite, I’m so sorry. That sounds extremely traumatic for the people, and really, for everyone.
I have one coworker who was quite vaccine hesitant early. She has come around, in vaccinated, and it trying to get her family vaccinated now. I know I should be happy, but the way she is talking about it now... just look that bitch getting her vaccine like she owns the place. So... yeah... totally BEC. And I feel bad about it. But she is also always up in everyone health business. And she got very annoyed that management didn’t send out a mass email when someone’s relative passed. Total bitch eating crackers.
We got our second shots on Friday (Pfizer). I was very nervous. No real reactions other than sore arm and fatigue though. Oh and I had ungodly heartburn all day on Saturday. Unsure if that was related or not.
Apparently, DH's best friend and his wife, who have been the most paranoid about the virus (she was a major germaphobe before this), will not be getting the vaccine because "they don't want to be lab rats."
Have I mentioned they are driving to Florida from NJ for vacation this month? But that's okay because they rented a house and will be on a beach away from people.
100+ million Americans have gotten first doses already. That's a shitload of lab rats scientists have to keep track of.
J&J DONE! So so so so relieved and happy! I was the first person to get it at the Wal Mart location we went to. It was quiet and a relatively smooth process despite computer issues.
Post by picksthemusic on Apr 5, 2021 9:17:01 GMT -5
I discovered yesterday that my SIL will not be getting vaccinated because her 'doctor' (a naturopath that I believe is a quack) told her she was allergic to something in it. This is a second-hand conversation, however, so I'm not sure which one she was referring to, nor do I think she really knows). I'm not exactly surprised, but it is so infuriating.
We got our second shots on Friday (Pfizer). I was very nervous. No real reactions other than sore arm and fatigue though. Oh and I had ungodly heartburn all day on Saturday. Unsure if that was related or not.
Lucky. I got my second Friday and almost to the minute at hour 12 I went from absolutely fine to sure I was dying. I spiked a fever and everything hurt and I couldn't stop shaking from chills. It was a rough night. Then about 12 hours later that all went away but I was exhausted. I slept on and off from 10 p.m to about 6 p.m Saturday. I'm glad I got it though and would take this anyday.
I believe I got the Covid Arm. One week exactly from when I got moderna it showed up. It doesn't hurt. Just looks like someone punched me. I think it's just par of the course and I shouldn't worry as it will resolve itself, right? It doesn't itch or anything.
I got it too. 8 days after the shot. I had a small bruise at the injection site for the first week and then overnight it turned into an angry red spot. Raised, itchy, warm to the touch. It spread out for about 3 days and then started to resolve on it's own.
Apparently, DH's best friend and his wife, who have been the most paranoid about the virus (she was a major germaphobe before this), will not be getting the vaccine because "they don't want to be lab rats."
Have I mentioned they are driving to Florida from NJ for vacation this month? But that's okay because they rented a house and will be on a beach away from people.
100+ million Americans have gotten first doses already. That's a shitload of lab rats scientists have to keep track of.
I don't know why DH didn't just lie to me about it. I'm not too surprised that they feel this way, but he could have pretended. LOL
I believe I got the Covid Arm. One week exactly from when I got moderna it showed up. It doesn't hurt. Just looks like someone punched me. I think it's just par of the course and I shouldn't worry as it will resolve itself, right? It doesn't itch or anything.
My mom got it pretty badly after her first Moderna shot. She reported it to vsafe and asked the pharmacist where she got the shot. They said it’s been fairly common for them and you can do things like ice or antihistamine if you’re itching, but otherwise it’s pretty harmless (but annoying).
Post by InBetweenDays on Apr 5, 2021 9:29:45 GMT -5
I got my first vaccine dose of Pfizer yesterday!!
I'm not eligible until 4/15 when they open it up to everyone. But we were over at my sister's for outdoor Easter. She volunteers frequently at a vaccine clinic and asked them if I could be put on the list for any extra doses. They rarely have extra doses, and when they do they first call people on a wait-list of eligible people. Both yesterday and the day before they had extra doses AND couldn't find enough eligible people who wanted them. They had 5 extra doses and I got one!
Post by Velar Fricative on Apr 5, 2021 9:39:26 GMT -5
I'm suddenly noticing a bunch of nurses coming out of the woodwork on social media talking about how they're a nurse and are refusing this vaccine. No one I know personally, just from reading comments on news Facebook pages (I know, I know). But still, we have to admit that plenty of people get their news from Facebook and they'll see that so-and-so is a nurse and must know what they're talking about. Ugh.
That sounds awful, toutsuite. There has got to be a middle ground between that and not doing anything. Either extreme is terrible.
I agree. I feel bad for complaining because we haven’t had to deal with the death rates seen in the U.S., Europe, or elsewhere but again, we have dealt with the other extreme which has also come at a great cost. I’m not sure which is better, but I do agree a middle ground would be best however that could be implemented.
I'm suddenly noticing a bunch of nurses coming out of the woodwork on social media talking about how they're a nurse and are refusing this vaccine. No one I know personally, just from reading comments on news Facebook pages (I know, I know). But still, we have to admit that plenty of people get their news from Facebook and they'll see that so-and-so is a nurse and must know what they're talking about. Ugh.
My sister’s BFF is a nurse. She got it, but she told my sister not to.
@@@@ My sister is 7 months pregnant. She got Pfizer last week. I’m so glad she didn’t listen to her friend.
I discovered yesterday that my SIL will not be getting vaccinated because her 'doctor' (a naturopath that I believe is a quack) told her she was allergic to something in it. This is a second-hand conversation, however, so I'm not sure which one she was referring to, nor do I think she really knows). I'm not exactly surprised, but it is so infuriating.
My MIL and a whole segment of my H’s family also aren’t getting vaxxed because of a naturopath’s vague reasons. Something about iron? IDK
toutsuite I'm sorry. That sounds so difficult. I hope the vaccine rate picks up soon.
Me too. Unfortunately, the Sinovac vaccine has been met with a lukewarm response after several individuals either died or had some significant negative consequences (no surprise since accurate data on that was never published) which has deterred many from getting vaccinated. BioNTech (Pfizer) just today had enough doses delivered to replenish a bad batch detected earlier in the month which caused efforts with that vaccine to be put on pause. Hopefully the government can get that sorted and order more of the BioNTech vaccines to vaccinate a larger number of the population. I’m not sure how realistic that is to do before, say, the end of the summer.
I'm suddenly noticing a bunch of nurses coming out of the woodwork on social media talking about how they're a nurse and are refusing this vaccine. No one I know personally, just from reading comments on news Facebook pages (I know, I know). But still, we have to admit that plenty of people get their news from Facebook and they'll see that so-and-so is a nurse and must know what they're talking about. Ugh.
This is a "thing" in my circle as well. I've taken to suggesting on their posts that they speak to their doctor/reach out the the health department to get information regarding the vaccine and to get answers for any questions or concerns they may have. I remain hopeful that, even though they're in the medical profession, maybe it's rooted in some easily addressed misinformation or just an emotional response that needs to be talked through. Mostly, I just hope anyone reading the post and thinking, "Hey, that sort of makes sense to me," might see my post and say, "You know, she's right. I should talk to my doctor."
I'm not silly enough to believe everyone will be convinced to get the vaccine or that everyone will be able to. But I'm hopeful that if they're speaking to someone they trust and not just blabbing on Facebook, they can make the best decision.
ETA: A success story to bolster spirits, I have a friend who is a nursing student. She was EXTREMELY against receiving a covid vax and was using her social media accounts as a platform for anti-vax rhetoric. I quietly worked on her for a while, just replying to her posts with a link here or there, a simple, "I hear you, but here's some info..."
When I received my vax, I posted to Facebook and Twitter about my experience, my eligibility, the appointment process, etc. She was the first reply - "Can you help me get an appointment?"
BINGO!!!
I'm honestly mad my measured responses to her got me somewhere. It's really cutting into my hypothesis that "yelling on Facebook" is the way to get my point across, lol.
I'm suddenly noticing a bunch of nurses coming out of the woodwork on social media talking about how they're a nurse and are refusing this vaccine. No one I know personally, just from reading comments on news Facebook pages (I know, I know). But still, we have to admit that plenty of people get their news from Facebook and they'll see that so-and-so is a nurse and must know what they're talking about. Ugh.
I haven't seen outright vaccine refusal, but I do know someone who is a nurse who is telling people not to get the J&J vaccine because it doesn't work.
ugh @darkangel, i'm so sorry. that sucks. i heard so many people experience the same thing and i figured that's what we were in for too. i (well, both of us) take a lot of allergy meds so i have no idea if that helps like...lessen the body's immune reaction/response? no idea.
I discovered yesterday that my SIL will not be getting vaccinated because her 'doctor' (a naturopath that I believe is a quack) told her she was allergic to something in it. This is a second-hand conversation, however, so I'm not sure which one she was referring to, nor do I think she really knows). I'm not exactly surprised, but it is so infuriating.
I have a Facebook "friend" from high school who posted her doctor told her not to get it because she's allergic to the preservatives in it. I gently pointed out to her that there are no preservatives in Pfizer or Moderna. I'm sure it hasn't changed her mind but I'm at least hoping others will see my response to her post and realize there is no need to worry about the preservatives.
ugh @darkangel, i'm so sorry. that sucks. i heard so many people experience the same thing and i figured that's what we were in for too. i (well, both of us) take a lot of allergy meds so i have no idea if that helps like...lessen the body's immune reaction/response? no idea.
I was not sure what to expect because I have a number of autoimmune issues and am on different meds for each of them. After shot one I felt nothing but a sore arm and tired and wondered if my meds just suppressed my immune system response to the vaccine and then worried about if I was like not going to end up with a good protection built up. But this time made up for that lol. I do hope though if we need annual boosters that they will be more mild.