It’s toilet paper all over again. Are you still working down your stock of paper supplies acquired 6 months ago in a frenzy? Did you know that there is plenty on the shelves now….. and probably at less cost? Don’t be embarrassed, we all did it. What I refuse to do however is playing out currently, queuing up for hours for the vaccine. On new years day the local news showed a line of cars down Route 1 in St. Augustine that started 4:30 AM. It goes for miles and at 9 AM they haven’t started vaccinating yet. Are diapers involved? A friend thought he was clever and went on Sunday at 4 AM but there were hundreds of cars ahead of him and they ran out before getting to him. A “deputy” from the health dept was interviewed- obviously from her home yesterday who said that since sitting on the phone for hours wasn’t working they would roll out an email sign up.. duh. Obviously that is bust and they decided to just vaccinate first come, hence the line up of hopeful recipients. Of course, if you know me, I’ve written to the Governor, Senators and health depts several days ago. A plan tor success needs to hatch- NOT the flat footed “health depts” working from home in a dither. Bring in the military, send the vaccines to hospitals for storage, provide staff to jab the needle into arms and let’s get this show on the road.
The vaccine is sitting waiting for the roll out that is stuck. So that’s my crank today- you are not surprised at my ire for poor performance are you? So here’s the deal. Please don’t sit for hours in your car lined up in the hopes when they get to you there is still a dose. Let things settle down and when the pharmacies get it and more sights are involved it will be smooth. It’s not as if you are headed on a cruise as soon as you are inoculated. After dose 1 you will be about 50% protected in 12 days, then 90% about 2 weeks after the second dose so we are still talking a few months.
Patience is required, so as I said a few weeks ago- you got this, just from going to Disney. But you don’t have to rush to be first in line next week because frankly they haven’t figured it out. (PEOPLE GET OUT OF THE TUB AND GO TO WORK!). Ugh. Today I asked the Governor to get the military involved.
When I did call the health depts , they said everything is closed til Monday- sure take a break for the holiday its not as if there is a pandemic. 8th grade computer wiz kids would have had this knocked out quickly. In spite of my disgruntled tone, I am still preaching patience. If you are over 65 expect to sign up in the next month. If you are undergoing active cancer treatment, check with your oncologist. Many patients on chemo should not get the vaccine while their immune system is compromised, and so the medical oncologist needs to advise you. Hopefully you’ve already gotten the flu shot for the year because you need a few weeks between the vaccinations- you can’t get them together.
The good news is that it is in the government’s interest to get you vaccinated and so they will work out a system and as more companies are approved and produce, you will get vaccinated….. don’t be an anti vaxer please; if you read this you actually care about yourself and loved ones and know that good health and strength do not come from osmosis. The effort is worth it. It’s just not necessary to sit in your car for five hours. Have faith. You and your loved ones will get the vaccine and in a few more months life will improve… I didn’t say return to normal and your patience will be rewarded. Keep calm. Help is on the way.
PS: When you do get the vaccine avoid alcohol since it reduces the immune system and the vaccine may be less effective!