It sounds like our county will likely drop the mask mandate at the end of this month and move to "strongly recommending it" ::eyeroll:: We are at like 45% of folks receiving at least their first dose right now and that should be closer to 50% next week which is the threshold they had previously discussed. But we are in a major metro area and people don't just stay within their counties...plus people traveling here for sports tourneys and whatnot.
50% is pretty good though compared to rural areas of my state where they are declining vaccine doses due to lack of demand.
The mass vax clinic in my city (where I got mine) is now accepting walk ins, which is great for convenience but also maybe not a good sign? I just can’t put myself in a mindset where I would be ambivalent about getting it. I was so thrilled and relieved.
I wouldn’t be too concerned about it. It’s still tricky to book an appointment even if they’re available, especially if you’re trying to book for more than one person. Then there’s coordinating schedules, etc. Walk-ins are often easier for those who aren’t confident in their English, have unpredictable schedules, and don’t have reliable transportation, etc. We have friends who really want to be vaccinated and qualify for it, but can’t seem to schedule a dose for all the reasons—they’re excited about walk-in clinics becoming available.
Besides, any doses administered in an ambivalent arm is one more vaccinated person. 🙃
I am back from my second dose at one of the mega sites. The first time I went, the parking lot was packed, people were waiting to be let in, it was definitely more crowded.
This time, the lot was less than half of what it was on my first dose day. I did not have to wait for my time slot to be called, and I sailed through the whole process.
I am hoping that it is because it was later in the day on a Friday vs. a Monday morning the first time and not because people just aren't getting vaxxed.
I ran into some friends while out walking this week and we had the vaccine/mask talk: all three fully vaccinated, outdoors, new state guidance...is it really safe to walk near each other for 10 min while on the same route without pulling our masks on?
Such strange times we are living in to have these conversations.
If everyone is fully vaccinated you could be indoors without masks on and still be following CDC guidance.
Yes, and outdoors is even safer, but it still feels kind of surreal to be having these conversations. I think the past year has warped my world view.
@@@ (b/c I can’t remember if adult children need an @)
My next door neighbor is in ocean city with her (adult) daughters. One of whose was posting on FB last weekend that she has covid pneumonia in both lungs. And her MIL is in the hospital with covid pneumonia. Ugh. Between this and the discussion I had with neighborhood maskholes, I HATE MY NEIGHBORS.
I feel like I am tattling. But seriously people?! i just want to scream.
@@@ (b/c I can’t remember if adult children need an @)
My next door neighbor is in ocean city with her (adult) daughters. One of whose was posting on FB last weekend that she has covid pneumonia in both lungs. And her MIL is in the hospital with covid pneumonia. Ugh. Between this and the discussion I had with neighborhood maskholes, I HATE MY NEIGHBORS.
I feel like I am tattling. But seriously people?! i just want to scream.
knowing where you live....yyeaaaaaah. Over here it goes the other way and I get dirty looks while running if I don't pull up my mask even if I'm WELL over 6 feet away from people. (It's a 10 foot wide path! I actually usually do because I don't want o make people uncomfortable, but occasionally I forget) Amazing how those prevailing opinions shift over relatively small geographic areas!
Post by mrsukyankee on Apr 24, 2021 8:11:53 GMT -5
We haven't ever had a mask mandate outside. That's not saying much for early days (as we had a high number of losses early on) but as the person I listen to the most has said they really aren't necessary for most outdoor things (minute possibilities), it made me feel better. We do still try to socially distance some but as we have such a low number of transmissions right now, it feels quite okay.
We haven't ever had a mask mandate outside. That's not saying much for early days (as we had a high number of losses early on) but as the person I listen to the most has said they really aren't necessary for most outdoor things (minute possibilities), it made me feel better. We do still try to socially distance some but as we have such a low number of transmissions right now, it feels quite okay.
You know Americans: Never let science get in the way of theater.
I also get dirty looks when I’m more than 6’ away from someone on a trail without a mask despite not having an outdoor mandate & science routinely suggesting that passing someone at a distance outside is minuscule risk.
@@@ (b/c I can’t remember if adult children need an @)
My next door neighbor is in ocean city with her (adult) daughters. One of whose was posting on FB last weekend that she has covid pneumonia in both lungs. And her MIL is in the hospital with covid pneumonia. Ugh. Between this and the discussion I had with neighborhood maskholes, I HATE MY NEIGHBORS.
I feel like I am tattling. But seriously people?! i just want to scream.
knowing where you live....yyeaaaaaah. Over here it goes the other way and I get dirty looks while running if I don't pull up my mask even if I'm WELL over 6 feet away from people. (It's a 10 foot wide path! I actually usually do because I don't want o make people uncomfortable, but occasionally I forget) Amazing how those prevailing opinions shift over relatively small geographic areas!
When we first started looking over there, I took H to Wilde lake to walk. 3 minutes in he commented on how everyone was taking masking and the pandemic so seriously.
And since this is P&CE, I’d just like to add I’m feeling that sellers over there are suffering from some sort of cognitive dissonance. All capitalists when it’s their pocket. Social justice until you get an all cash offer. Sorry for the disgression, but I couldn’t help myself and needed to get that out somewhere.
I just received a text from our state's emergency notification system. (Covid updates, state of CT.) Based on CDC & FDA rulings, they are now going to begin administering the J&J vaccine again!
This was the vaccine of choice for our local health department, as they have been accessing low income communities with pop-up locations and vans w/walk up service. I am SO HAPPY they can go into these communities once, vs. hoping people will have the ability to return at a random date and time for their 2nd dose.
“With sorrow—for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection—we dissent,”
The university system of Maryland announced yesterday that all students, faculty, and staff will be required to be vaccinated for fall semester. Predictably, social media has a bunch of "my body my choice" type comments, but I think they are largely from parents and people who aren't even personally affected by this.
I do wonder if it will ultimately impact enrollment or staff turnover. I imagine it could go either way - maybe MORE students will enroll if they can feel safe in having a normal campus experience? I know I will feel more comfortable as an employee of that system if everyone around me is mandated to be vaccinated.
Selfishly I am hoping this might mean ditching masks at work sooner rather than later. I love that masks have their purpose in protecting public health, but I do not love sitting at my desk all day wearing one. I know it is unlikely we'd stop wearing them before fall, which is totally fine, but it is daunting to think of going into work every day for many months or even years without being easily able to eat, drink, be understood on the phone, or use my face to communicate with coworkers.
I have been watching the situation regarding employers' rights to require masks and/or vaccines with interest. We are a very small office, and we are looking to hire someone. We have all been exceptionally careful, take Covid precautions very seriously, and are getting vaccinated. We dont want to hire an anti-masker or anti-vaxxer. Frankly, it tells me a lot about someone's world view, and we also don't want to have to mask in the office all day because of one person who refuses to get vaccinated.
I've had 2 interviews so far where they were otherwise good candidates but we passed because they were anti mask AND anti-vax. (Why are they always the same damn people?) It's frustrating.
The university system of Maryland announced yesterday that all students, faculty, and staff will be required to be vaccinated for fall semester. Predictably, social media has a bunch of "my body my choice" type comments, but I think they are largely from parents and people who aren't even personally affected by this.
I do wonder if it will ultimately impact enrollment or staff turnover. I imagine it could go either way - maybe MORE students will enroll if they can feel safe in having a normal campus experience? I know I will feel more comfortable as an employee of that system if everyone around me is mandated to be vaccinated.
Selfishly I am hoping this might mean ditching masks at work sooner rather than later. I love that masks have their purpose in protecting public health, but I do not love sitting at my desk all day wearing one. I know it is unlikely we'd stop wearing them before fall, which is totally fine, but it is daunting to think of going into work every day for many months or even years without being easily able to eat, drink, be understood on the phone, or use my face to communicate with coworkers.
I was thinking about this the other day. If this wasn’t a requirement and I was in college and had to go in person I would have not gone. It really would have derailed my life.
I would 100% chose to attend a college that required this over one that didn’t. I am sure I am not the only one that would feel that way.
I am back from my second dose at one of the mega sites. The first time I went, the parking lot was packed, people were waiting to be let in, it was definitely more crowded.
This time, the lot was less than half of what it was on my first dose day. I did not have to wait for my time slot to be called, and I sailed through the whole process.
I am hoping that it is because it was later in the day on a Friday vs. a Monday morning the first time and not because people just aren't getting vaxxed.
Idk about other places, but our 2nd dose clinics always have shorter lines and less wait because the process goes much faster than first doses. There’s no follow up appointment to schedule, and the second time around people generally know the drill, anticipate what the screening questions ask, know where to go, etc. they just flow smoother, in small ways that add up to a lot of saved time. We don’t seem to have notably higher no-shows. Hopefully the same may be true where you were.
Post by sillygoosegirl on Apr 24, 2021 21:02:21 GMT -5
liftskatemeditate - at my previous employer (UCSF Medical Center), during flu season you were required to show proof of vaccination (they'd put a special sticker on your badge) or wear a mask throughout flu season. This seems no different to me. Granted, this was like 7 years ago and such things really weren't that controversial at the time...
Requiring a mask seems no different than other dress code requirements. And then you can exempt people who have shown proof of vaccination.
I saw over the weekend per Axios that about 50% of adults have received at least once vaccine dose. Of course now I can't find the link.
But what really worries me is the massive second wave of infections in India esp. because of the double mutant identified and their slow down of vaccinations. The death rate is climbing and my family has felt that first hand. It's really awful.
liftskatemeditate - at my previous employer (UCSF Medical Center), during flu season you were required to show proof of vaccination (they'd put a special sticker on your badge) or wear a mask throughout flu season. This seems no different to me. Granted, this was like 7 years ago and such things really weren't that controversial at the time...
Requiring a mask seems no different than other dress code requirements. And then you can exempt people who have shown proof of vaccination.
I also work for the UC system but on the academic side and this year we were required to show proof of flu shot in anticipation of returning to campuses. If you had medical or religious reasons not to get it, you could file that with HR. Otherwise, it was required.
My IL's are not only Trumpers, anti-vaxxers, but also religious zealots. Apparently SMIL has been following Kirk Cameron's 100 days campfire revival on FB and then they drove from Missouri to Georgia to go to his house for one that was open to the public to meet 500 of their new closest friends. So, mid 70's, been able to get a vax for nearly 2 months now, and then goes to this.
@
We live 2.5 hours from them, haven't seen them since November 2019, and have absolutely NO plans to do so in the future. I already told DH they will not be visiting the kids until they're fully vax'd. If that means forever, so be it. My kids have two normal grandparents within 30 minutes of them that see them regularly now. I only grew up with one set and turned out just fine. I'm sad for them, and for DH as this isn't the grandparent he imagined his dad to be, but i will not expose my kids to their crazy or their germs.
Post by litebright on Apr 25, 2021 10:31:16 GMT -5
I volunteered at our local large vax site yesterday, which is in a former Nordstroms at the mall. Apparently about 3,500 people had appointments. It is a huge operation and it was very neat to see it from both sides, having gotten vaccinated there and now volunteering.
It was a long day on my feet, but it felt really good to help. I was on the assistance unit, helping anyone who needed or was in a wheelchair, who was older or had mobility issues (crutches/boots/canes, etc.), to get them into a priority line so we could get them in and out faster and in some cases to escort them all the way through the process. So you get to chat/interact with people more than most of the volunteer positions. It was all very positive and people were so grateful for assistance.
I am back from my second dose at one of the mega sites. The first time I went, the parking lot was packed, people were waiting to be let in, it was definitely more crowded.
This time, the lot was less than half of what it was on my first dose day. I did not have to wait for my time slot to be called, and I sailed through the whole process.
I am hoping that it is because it was later in the day on a Friday vs. a Monday morning the first time and not because people just aren't getting vaxxed.
My first dose was at a clinic 25 miles from my house because I couldn't find anything closer. I tried.
However, after my first dose, I was able to make an appointment at the CVS half a mile away from my house for my second dose. So, I am making plans to receive my second dose at the CVS half a mile away from my house, and I am cancelling the second dose appointment at the clinic 25 miles away from my house.
I had a similar experience: first dose was 1.5 hours away (rural health department with tons of appointments), second at Walgreens down the block. Was a relief to not have that drive again!
Post by InBetweenDays on Apr 26, 2021 12:22:49 GMT -5
I got my second Pfizer dose yesterday! My arm hurts quite a bit today and my back muscles feel like I lifted weights recently (but haven't in the past few days). I'm a little groggy and tired but that is really it. I'm working this morning and am going to take the afternoon as a sick day to just relax.
I am ready for the masks outdoor mandates to be lifted especially in hot climates. Luckily in Texas this is not in place. But I feel some states need to scale that back a bit. Obviously be reasonable if you are in a crowded situation but doing a physical activity like jogging or hiking it seems excessive.
Maui just announced that their 2nd test (the one they are implementing upon arrival) will not be required for those people from the mainland who are fully vaxed. Perhaps moves like this from USA tourist destinations could help more people to get vaccinated but then again there is always Florida.
3 days post Moderna 2nd shot and I am only left with a sore arm. That first 48 was rough for me but I was able to do p90x last night so I bounced back quick.
Post by InBetweenDays on Apr 27, 2021 10:18:25 GMT -5
If you had a swollen lymph node after the vaccine, did you contact your doctor? Or no since it is very likely due to the shot? I have a slightly swollen lymph node in my left armpit. I know it wasn't there a week ago, and I got the second Pfizer shot in my left arm two days ago. So the rational side of me knows it's from the shot, but the health anxiety side of me can't help but worry.