Sunday, March 21, 2021

Half-way there

 Yesterday was momentous. 

I got part one of the COVID-19 vaccination. 

It's been a long time coming and I'm thrilled to have taken this step toward normalcy. 

A friend had told me Wal-Mart opened up a portal every night at midnight for a rolling week, and you could schedule an appointment a week out. She's a night owl, so offered to do it for me. Shortly after midnight last Saturday night/Sunday morning, she scheduled my appointment for 5:40 p.m. yesterday at a Wal-Mart about a dozen miles from my house. 

The pharmacy called about 3 p.m. yesterday to confirm I would still be coming and said I could come whenever I was ready. By 4: 15 I was vaccinated. 

I thought I would be getting the Moderna vaccine, but when I arrived, I was told they had switched to Pfizer. It made no difference to me, of course. 

Although I begrudgingly say anything positive about the Trump administration, I am appreciative for those who got things moving last year to make this thing happen. It is nothing short of miraculous that we have vaccines scarcely a year after this nightmare began. 

If Trump had not acted the way he did (like a big baby who didn't get his way), never acknowledging Joe Biden as the new president, Biden would have likely expressed his appreciation himself. 

But we'll not go into all that today. I am even more appreciative of President  Biden and his administration for expediting this process. 

To be sure, we are not back to normal yet. I suspect it will be another year before we go into crowds without giving it a thought, and all sports and concert venues are back to capacity. I might wear a mask in public the rest of my life, because I think it protects me from all kinds of stuff floating around in the air. 

It is also possible many of us will remain in the remote workforce. A lot of folks like it, and for most of us, it works. Patterns in work are cyclical, and I suspect we'll have a large segment of remote workers for a few years to come, and then will not be surprised to see more companies having people coming back onsite. 

I'm happy with whatever happens. I can ride this work-from-home gig into retirement (although Wife might not agree with that) or I can go back to an office. At my age, the longer I can work and build up my retirement account, the better. Plus, I am not ready to find other things to do to occupy my time every day. I'm a creature of habit. 

Anywho . . . . I'm half-way there. I'll return in 3-4 weeks for the second shot and shortly thereafter, I'll be hugging anyone who crosses my path. 

Calm down, I don't really mean that. But if you're in the neighborhood and you're longing for a warm embrace, stop by. 


7 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Hi - I am new to your blog as I lost my blog roll and my son reinstated it with some additions - including you. So pleased to meet you. I have been to the States many times in my younger days - now in my eighties I no longer travel. I had Pfizer and go for my second jab on Thursday of this week. I had absolutely no side effects whatsoever, not even a sore arm where the needle went in. But I have a carer for an hour each morning (my mobility is poor) and her husband had his jab on Friday and was quite ill all yesterday - icy cold and fatigued. He is a bit better todaybut not back to normal yet.

JayCee said...

Congratulations on Jab Number One! I am still waiting for mine but at least I have now been invited to register so hopefully not too long until I receive an appointment.

Kelly said...

Congrats on being halfway there, Bob!! I'm not sure what my son's GF in MN got (I think Pfizer), but I know that's what my younger daughter got. The rest of us (who've managed to get one) have gotten Moderna. Like you, I'd have been happy with any of them.

Hoping I can get shot two scheduled when I call the pharmacy tomorrow. I'll be eligible for it in about a week.

Slowly, but surely.

Ellen D. said...

That's a good way to put it! Half-way there - to where we aren't sure - but it is better than where we were! Thanks for getting the jab!

Jeff said...

I got my first shot last Tuesday and will have the second on April 13. Let's hope we soon have this virus in our rear view mirrors!

Debby said...

Sometimes, Bob, I find myself wondering if we will EVER go back to the way it was before the virus. I hope so. I feel like it's been forever since I walked down the street and smiled at someone and had that person smile back. Such a simple human exchange.

I am very glad you had your first dose. We hope to soon.

Ed said...

I am beginning to be optimistic that those like me, under 65 and with no co-morbidities will be able to get a vaccine sooner rather than later. I'm a little more optimistic and think the day will soon come where I don't where a mask for doing things like going into a restaurant or a store, but I will probably keep one around for the foreseeable future for going to plays and musical performances where we are seated in close proximity and for long periods of time.