Covid vaccination status?

[doorknob60]

Interestingly, within the past couple days I've started to notice that the few lingering things that still smell/taste weird (I had a mild case back in November) are finally starting to return to normal.  For instance, I recall posting a while ago about how honey-nut cheerios started tasting funky to me, but now I'm having some as I type this and it tastes closer to how I remember it.  Not sure if this is related to getting the initial dose or just pure coincidence (I'm almost 5 months removed now, and there seems to be a wide range on when people's full sense of smell & taste returns).

I had a mild case in December, and got the first Pfizer dose last week, and I've noticed something similar. I'd say my sense of taste and smell has been 40-50% of "normal" for the past couple months, but starting a couple days after the shot, it's improved a little bit. Not all the way, but I'd say it's more like 60% of "normal" now. I thought it was a coincidence too, but if I'm not the only one noticing that, maybe there's something to it. Whatever the case may be, I'm not complaining.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I got a mild case recently. The "after symptoms" were much more annoying than the original symptoms; I had two days of chills and aches, and then the COVID nose, breathing hiccups, and extreme fatigue set in. The burning plastic smells went away after a week and the fatigue after about 10 days, but the COVID lung stuff hasn't fully resolved yet.

[interstatefan990]

COVID will never go away completely. It's simply too transmissible and deeply rooted in our communities. Eventually we will reach a point where humans and the virus can coexist peacefully. Outbreaks will flare up every so often in individual areas, and when that does happen, mask-wearing and vaccinations will be instituted in those areas.

Also keep in mind that the 1918 flu lasted until 1920, and it hasn't been two years yet.

The 1918 flu pandemic only went away because it literally tore through a third of the world's population and killed over 50 million people. It ended because of non-vaccine herd immunity. You can't really compare it to this pandemic.

[Max Rockatansky]

COVID will never go away completely. It's simply too transmissible and deeply rooted in our communities. Eventually we will reach a point where humans and the virus can coexist peacefully. Outbreaks will flare up every so often in individual areas, and when that does happen, mask-wearing and vaccinations will be instituted in those areas.

Also keep in mind that the 1918 flu lasted until 1920, and it hasn't been two years yet.

The 1918 flu pandemic only went away because it literally tore through a third of the world's population and killed over 50 million people. It ended because of non-vaccine herd immunity. You can't really compare it to this pandemic.

The Spanish Flu killed WAY more people, those 4% mortality rates being projected in early 2020 were way off the mark with COVID-19. 

Speaking of vaccines today was the first day that I could have gotten my second dose.  Give I'm on vacation and my wedding anniversary was yesterday I decided to hold off until next Thursday.  Apparently with Pfizer vaccine the recommend timeframe from the second dose is 28-42 days after the first dose.  I rather risk feeling like crap on a working day instead of when I'm off.

[cl94]

Dose 1 of Pfizer happened this morning at the state mass vaccination site up in Plattsburgh. This is one of New York's few drive thru sites and it was a very efficient operation. I was in and out of there in about 25 minutes, including the mandatory waiting period.

A state trooper was stationed at the entrance to make sure everyone had the necessary paperwork. I then drove to the next station, which was a National Guard member taking temps. Next, I drove into a tent where paperwork was checked and I received information sheets about the vaccine. We then lined up outside a warehouse behind overhead doors. When my door opened, I drove in and up to a table, where someone took my paperwork. While my paperwork was being processed, a nurse asked health questions and administered the vaccine while I remained in my car. I then had my contact info verified, was handed a slip of paper showing what time I could leave (15 minutes after the vax), and was directed outside to a holding pen. 15 minutes later, I was free.

Vaccinations were conducted in https://goo.gl/maps/Gihsj6RsWeMbeJ4R6this building[/url], which has been spruced up.

[kphoger]

Speaking of vaccines today was the first day that I could have gotten my second dose.  Give I'm on vacation and my wedding anniversary was yesterday I decided to hold off until next Thursday.  Apparently with Pfizer vaccine the recommend timeframe from the second dose is 28-42 days after the first dose.  I rather risk feeling like crap on a working day instead of when I'm off.

See, I'm the opposite.  I scheduled both of my shots specifically to disrupt my work and church schedules the least:  Friday evening for both.  If I'm going to be sick from side-effects, I'd rather let my wife go grocery shopping without me than have the only person at work who knows what how to do my job cover for me there.  However, I've already asked if the only other drummer at church is available that Sunday morning, just in case.

[kphoger]

A state trooper was stationed at the entrance to make sure everyone had the necessary paperwork.

Cool!

[Max Rockatansky]

Speaking of vaccines today was the first day that I could have gotten my second dose.  Give I'm on vacation and my wedding anniversary was yesterday I decided to hold off until next Thursday.  Apparently with Pfizer vaccine the recommend timeframe from the second dose is 28-42 days after the first dose.  I rather risk feeling like crap on a working day instead of when I'm off.

See, I'm the opposite.  I scheduled both of my shots specifically to disrupt my work and church schedules the least:  Friday evening for both.  If I'm going to be sick from side-effects, I'd rather let my wife go grocery shopping without me than have the only person at work who knows what how to do my job cover for me there.  However, I've already asked if the only other drummer at church is available that Sunday morning, just in case.

For context, the vaccines are being administered as a program sponsored by my job.  Logistically it would be infinitely easier to just walk out my office door to the vaccination site rather than making a 36 mile drive on my time off.  Besides, I have so much unused vacation and extra staff right now that I really ought to find any legitimate reason to take as much time off as possible.  I almost hit our vacation cap last year because I had two vacation cancelled due to other staff members getting sick or told to quarantine, I'm not going to be so selfless this year.

[kphoger]

Fair enough!  Similarly, I pee in a cup twice a year for work, and I always make sure to do so while I'm on the clock.  My co-worker does so on her days off.

[jeffandnicole]

...Apparently with Pfizer vaccine the recommend timeframe from the second dose is 28-42 days after the first dose...

The recommended time frame is 21 days.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/second-shot.html

You can get it up to 42 days after the 1st, but it's heavily recommended to get it as close to that 21st day.

[Max Rockatansky]

...Apparently with Pfizer vaccine the recommend timeframe from the second dose is 28-42 days after the first dose...

The recommended time frame is 21 days.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/second-shot.html

You can get it up to 42 days after the 1st, but it's heavily recommended to get it as close to that 21st day.

I see, either way it will be within that 42 day window handily.  I'm more after the passport aspect of a vaccination then it being a genuine health concern anyway.  After my wife caught COVID and had antibodies for five months I figured that I've been exposed enough to have some kind of decent immunity.

Now I'm wondering why the base I got my vaccine at was saying 28 days instead of 21?  I wonder if that was a supply thing?

[vdeane]

Are you sure you got Pfizer?  Moderna has a 28 day interval.

[cl94]

Dose 1 of Pfizer happened this morning at the state mass vaccination site up in Plattsburgh. This is one of New York's few drive thru sites and it was a very efficient operation. I was in and out of there in about 25 minutes, including the mandatory waiting period.

A state trooper was stationed at the entrance to make sure everyone had the necessary paperwork. I then drove to the next station, which was a National Guard member taking temps. Next, I drove into a tent where paperwork was checked and I received information sheets about the vaccine. We then lined up outside a warehouse behind overhead doors. When my door opened, I drove in and up to a table, where someone took my paperwork. While my paperwork was being processed, a nurse asked health questions and administered the vaccine while I remained in my car. I then had my contact info verified, was handed a slip of paper showing what time I could leave (15 minutes after the vax), and was directed outside to a holding pen. 15 minutes later, I was free.

Vaccinations were conducted in this building, which has been spruced up.

[Max Rockatansky]

Are you sure you got Pfizer?  Moderna has a 28 day interval.

Yes, that's what is on my registration package.  My CDC card also says to return for a second dose on/after 4/8/21. 

[Scott5114]

I think it is much more likely that business models that rely on congregation will be defended through indemnification.  For example, if you choose to watch a movie in the theatre, your ticket may be sold subject to the condition that you don't sue the cinema chain if you catch covid on the premises.

I'm sure that, if such things happen, they won't single out COVID specifically–rather, any illness.

I would go farther and expect this sort of indemnification to happen in state law in more "business-friendly" states.

[ftballfan]

I have an appointment for a shot on Saturday morning. It'll likely be J&J as the place I have an appointment at (Family Fare) is listed as having J&J only. My sister has an appointment tomorrow at a different Family Fare than the one my shot will be at.

[Duke87]

I also continue to stand by my prediction upthread that we won't use vaccine passports.  I think it is much more likely that business models that rely on congregation will be defended through indemnification.  For example, if you choose to watch a movie in the theatre, your ticket may be sold subject to the condition that you don't sue the cinema chain if you catch covid on the premises.

This will depend on the jurisdiction.

New York is already specifically requiring that, in order to enter a venue of large congregation, you must produce proof of vaccination, a negative rapid test collected within the last 6 hours, or a negative PCR test collected within the last 72 hours.

But that's New York - most states will not do this, and many are already seeking to specifically prohibit businesses from imposing such requirements for entry.

[1995hoo]

Speaking of vaccines today was the first day that I could have gotten my second dose.  Give I'm on vacation and my wedding anniversary was yesterday I decided to hold off until next Thursday.  Apparently with Pfizer vaccine the recommend timeframe from the second dose is 28-42 days after the first dose.  I rather risk feeling like crap on a working day instead of when I'm off.

See, I'm the opposite.  I scheduled both of my shots specifically to disrupt my work and church schedules the least:  Friday evening for both.  If I'm going to be sick from side-effects, I'd rather let my wife go grocery shopping without me than have the only person at work who knows what how to do my job cover for me there.  However, I've already asked if the only other drummer at church is available that Sunday morning, just in case.

I scheduled mine based on what time would make it easiest to ensure I would be able to get there without disruption from work, and in both cases that's 8:45 AM on Monday (first dose last week, second one a week from this coming Monday). I figure it's easier to get up and go get this done prior to signing onto work for the day, whereas if I start work and then try to take a break to head over, there's more chance of something coming up that will make it hard to break away, delay me, etc. If the price of that is feeling crappy later and disrupting my work day, oh well.

[hbelkins]

I think it is much more likely that business models that rely on congregation will be defended through indemnification.  For example, if you choose to watch a movie in the theatre, your ticket may be sold subject to the condition that you don't sue the cinema chain if you catch covid on the premises.

I'm sure that, if such things happen, they won't single out COVID specifically–rather, any illness.

I would go farther and expect this sort of indemnification to happen in state law in more "business-friendly" states.

But how much of that will hold up? Every baseball ticket to a Reds game that I ever attended when I was a kid had an indemnity clause printed on the ticket -- user assumes all risks associated with the game of baseball including but not limited to being struck by balls, loose or broken bats, etc. -- and people were suing if they got hit by a foul ball line drive and winning.

I don't think it would necessarily be possible to prove exactly where you got the virus if you did get it. Everyone claimed Herman Cain got it when he attended the Trump rally in Oklahoma, but that was never proven. One of my first cousins caught it and she has no idea where or how. She wore a mask and had no known contact with anyone who'd had it.

[kphoger]

So then, what is your expectation if we assume that the threshold (whatever number it is) will never be reached in America?  Never return to normal?

If we never reach herd immunity, then eventually we get a vaccine-resistant variant, and we're in pretty big trouble then.

So is that a yes?  (not to imply you're the one I originally asked the question)

If we never reach herd immunity we shouldn't return to normal but given that some states essentially have already returned to normal or very close to it, that's not what will happen.

If I'm correct, only one human disease has ever been eradicated by herd immunity in recorded history, so I don't think that's a realistic plan.

COVID will never go away completely.

I think this is probably correct.

[NWI_Irish96]

So then, what is your expectation if we assume that the threshold (whatever number it is) will never be reached in America?  Never return to normal?

If we never reach herd immunity, then eventually we get a vaccine-resistant variant, and we're in pretty big trouble then.

So is that a yes?  (not to imply you're the one I originally asked the question)

If we never reach herd immunity we shouldn't return to normal but given that some states essentially have already returned to normal or very close to it, that's not what will happen.

If I'm correct, only one human disease has ever been eradicated by herd immunity in recorded history, so I don't think that's a realistic plan.

COVID will never go away completely.

I think this is probably correct.

Herd immunity does not equal eradicated. Herd immunity means that we have reached a point where there is an upper limit on how quickly it can spread.

[kphoger]

Herd immunity does not equal eradicated. Herd immunity means that we have reached a point where there is an upper limit on how quickly it can spread.

But you'll still get variants–just not as fast.  What's your goal if not eradication?

[NWI_Irish96]

Herd immunity does not equal eradicated. Herd immunity means that we have reached a point where there is an upper limit on how quickly it can spread.

But you'll still get variants–just not as fast.  What's your goal if not eradication?

Eradication is the goal, but herd immunity is a level you reach on the way to the goal. Herd immunity also puts us at a level where variants are going to become very rare.

[cl94]

Herd immunity does not equal eradicated. Herd immunity means that we have reached a point where there is an upper limit on how quickly it can spread.

But you'll still get variants–just not as fast.  What's your goal if not eradication?

Eradication is the goal, but herd immunity is a level you reach on the way to the goal. Herd immunity also puts us at a level where variants are going to become very rare.

This is where the slow rate of mutation and the effectiveness of vaccines against the variants is key. The influenza virus mutates fast enough that you need a new shot each year because the variants are too different and even then it's a crapshoot. The COVID vaccines aren't like that (at least at this point). As long as the main COVID vaccines retain their effectiveness against the variants, containment (if not eradication) is possible.

[Scott5114]

I don't think it would necessarily be possible to prove exactly where you got the virus if you did get it. Everyone claimed Herman Cain got it when he attended the Trump rally in Oklahoma, but that was never proven.

Kevin Stitt was maskless in the same section as Herman Cain and got it too, becoming the first governor to catch it. So it seems likely, though difficult to prove, that someone at the rally had it and gave it to both Cain and Stitt, or one of them gave it to the other.

One of my first cousins caught it and she has no idea where or how. She wore a mask and had no known contact with anyone who'd had it.

I've read that in the UK, where there are far more lockdowns and observance of social distancing protocols, that contact tracing has led them to believe that people there often pick it up doing grocery shopping. Someone's standing in front of the meat cooler staring vapidly at the different cuts of meat, you squeeze by them to grab a thing of ground beef, and...