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Weekly coronavirus-related chat, questions, and minor updates - week of April 12
This thread is posted weekly, and is intended as a place for more-casual discussion of the coronavirus and questions/updates that may not warrant their own dedicated topics. Tell us about what the situation is like where you live!
American teacher here, nodding furiously.
I actually had a lot more written out in response to this, but I promised myself I wouldn’t rant in these threads anymore like I used to, so, suffice it to say that I am nodding furiously.
A similar article from The Atlantic [1]:
[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/04/end-hygiene-theater/618576/
The US is "pausing" use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in response to 6 reports of blood clots from the over 6.8 million doses administered so far.
It should be noted that it's a recommendation, not a mandate.
(Though I think it's a monumentally stupid decision in any case)
This was a real bummer as both the SO and I were scheduled to get this on Friday. We were super excited to get it and be done with it in one go. Fortunately, we were able to book appointments for today and I got the Moderna while she got Pfizer. It's now a race to see who will have the worse side effects!
Who won?
It's a tie. We both can't raise our arms above shoulder level without some discomfort nor can we sleep on them. Thankfully no severe symptoms and the only inconvenience we have is cancelling our gym appointment.
America has pandemic senioritis
I got the Moderna vaccine on Thursday! I was super excited.
Oddly, As it was being injected I had a metal taste, like when getting contrast for an MRI. In the car afterwards, my tongue then my gums started going numb followed by nausea and blurry vision. After an hour it all cleared up. I was a bit scared and will discuss it with a doctor before getting the second shot.
My husband gets the Pfizer tomorrow!
That's just part of the microchip installation process, no need to worry. The default resolution must have taken a second to automatically adjust to the system, hence the blurry vision.
Several health professionals pretended to give the vaccine so they could (allegedly) sell it on the black market.
I heard of a few people dying from covid after being immunized. Maybe that's a coincidence, maybe not.
A "nurse" was arrested selling fake vaccines in a parking lot.
Welcome to Brazil.
That is terrible!
I assume this news isn't in English, but is it online?
One in English: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-police-idUSKBN2AH2Q5
Try these with Google Translate (these are just a few):
https://g1.globo.com/mg/minas-gerais/noticia/2021/03/30/falsa-enfermeira-suspeita-de-participar-de-vacinacao-clandestina-e-presa-pela-pf-em-bh.ghtml
https://g1.globo.com/sp/sao-paulo/noticia/2021/04/12/filho-diz-que-auxiliar-de-enfermagem-simulou-aplicar-vacina-em-idosa-na-zona-sul-de-sp-e-pede-providencias.ghtml
https://g1.globo.com/ba/bahia/noticia/2021/04/13/video-tecnico-de-enfermagem-e-flagrado-ao-nao-aplicar-vacina-em-idosa-na-ba-ela-foi-imunizada-apos-familia-prestar-queixa.ghtml
I'm summarizing multiple incidents. Hard to find that in English.
My grandfather got his first COVID vaccine, which was an AstraZeneca shot. Given he has heart problems and is in his mid 60s, this is pretty good news for my family.
AZ/Oxford Calculations
We have actually already gotten our shit together according to the stats:
https://twitter.com/trevortombe/status/1379230905382895621?s=19
And another update from yesterday too, with more comparative rankings:
https://twitter.com/trevortombe/status/1382512366730977281
So, while the criticism over how long it took for the vaccinations to get started up here is well deserved, we've more than caught up since then, and the still constant stream of negativity/criticism mostly seems to be politically motivated at this point, IMO. And I think this reply to the updated post on twitter also nailed another aspect of it too:
I've seen people in the US talking about their teenage children being able to go get vaccinated now. My dad in BC is in the 71-75 age group and hasn't been able to get his first dose yet (but I think he's finally getting it this weekend).
There's really no comparison between the US and Canada's vaccination progresses. We're improving, but we're extremely far behind.
Are they really that far behind Ontario? Both my parents (aged 65-70) received their first dose about a month ago, and I (turning 40) should be able to get mine within the next few days, since booking of appointments for my age group starts at midnight tonight.
Yes, BC seems to be doing poorly compared to the rest of Canada too. Here's their current timeline for "general population" vaccines: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/plan#general-population
Unless they really speed it up, I don't think a 40-year-old in BC could expect a vaccine until June.
Yeesh. That sucks. Our initial official Provincial government estimated timeline looked similar here too, but with the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine, being administered through local pharmacies, the eligible age groups have been rapidly dropping over the last few months.
People who got/want the J&J vaccine: how did/does the lower efficacy factor into your decision?
I was initially hesitant about the J&J, but was a lot less concerned after this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3odScka55A
I got the J&J shot 15 days ago in Ohio.
Thank you for sharing this. I'll admit, I was feeling frustrated when people I care about were choosing to get the J&J vaccine, thinking they weren't making the safest choice. My partner has a health condition that significantly increases their risk of complications from the virus, so it's been a supremely anxious time for us. While we have been almost completely isolated--apart from trips to the grocery store, and socially-distant interactions with only one other person for the last 13 months--we've watched as our loved ones traveled domestically and internationally, moved across the country, invited a steady stream of workmen into their homes, and met people without observing appropriate precautions. Some of them got sick. Some of them are still suffering from long-COVID.
It was most interesting to me to note when and where the clinical trials took place, as obviously this could have a huge impact on the results. It makes sense that people should get whatever vaccine they are offered/comfortable with. It's difficult to adjust to feeling comfortable with other peoples variable acceptance of risk when their actions and choices can have such a huge impact on others, especially vulnerable populations, but I am relieved to let go of at least some the resentment I've been harboring.
There's a lot of resentment, I think I'm going to be working through it for awhile. I hope I can hold my shit together the first few times I run across someone IRL that was either anti-vax or "COVID was a hoax", because my first instinct is going to be to punch them in their unmasked mouth for being the reason why I had to stay in my house for a year.
The most frustrating has been the waiting. At least now I can do something to protect myself (vaccine) from other people's bad choices besides disconnecting from 95% of society.
I’m counting down the days now to feeling comfortable going back out into the world. I’m (sadly) presently most excited about going to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned.
I feel like I did a small amount of good recently when, in conversation with a representative from an online store, I was able to educate them about vaccine safety and efficacy. They had asked how I was doing, and because of the pandemic, I’m feeling extra eager for genuine connection anywhere I can get it, so instead of my old standard “I am well, how are you?” I shared that I was thrilled to be just about to get my second dose of the vaccine. They were under the mistaken impression the vaccine contains the virus and wanted to know about what side effects I experienced. I hope wherever you are, Britney, you’re feeling a lot better about getting vaccinated!
And the nice thing about the assholes of the world is that they’re much easier to spot these days, and therefore easier to avoid. Or punch 🤜 💥
The world's biggest vaccine producer is running out of Covid-19 vaccines, as second wave accelerates
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Brazil’s virus outlook darkens amid vaccine supply snags
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Lateral-flow tests: What are the risks and benefits?
(Lateral flow tests for COVID are sometimes called "antigen tests" or "rapid tests." This technology is also used in home pregnancy tests.)