We did it! We got our second vaccines yesterday and the feeling of relief nearly brought tears to my eyes. It’s not over by a long shot. We still need to wear masks and keep doing what we’ve been doing because…we could carry the virus to others. The vaccines are 95% effective, so there is still a chance of catching Covid, however small. We are a long, long way from herd immunity, so the more of us who get the vaccine…the quicker life can get back to normal.

I will repeat this here, in case there are negative comments forthcoming. I am not afraid of Covid…but I sure do have a healthy respect for its capacity to wreak havoc with your health and end your life. I do not live in fear. I rest in knowledge. There is NOT a biochip in it. No one is going to try to control my mind. It is not the mark of the devil. It’s a vaccine…period. I’ve been vaccinated for a dozen different diseases in my life. This is no different. 

I am SO grateful for the scientists who did the research in the decade leading up to the pandemic. Something like this was inevitable, although it certainly could have been handled better from the get go. I think a lot of lives could be saved. But, this is where we are now…this is what we have to work with. If they have to create boosters for variants…fine. I’ll take those, too. I am not afraid. This is what I did for a living…clinical pharmaceutical research coordination. I trust the science.

My friend Diane got her shot yesterday morning and she called me to warn me about what to expect. When we went for our first shot, it was the first vaccine clinic. We got in and out in record time…far under an hour. We were supposed to go back last Thursday, but the clinic was canceled due to snow. So, this week they were not only doing #2 shots…they were also doing #1 shots and all the people they had to reschedule from last week. It was crazy.

They directed us into short parallel lines in the parking lot. Then, one row at a time was directed out to join a long line that circled the parking lot, swung around and looped through to the second lot. At that point, we were given a clipboard to fill out our information and walk into the clinic. Inside was very quick and simple. We were directed to the first empty table. Our information was recorded, and we were directed to the inner room. There, a volunteer took us to a table where someone was seated with a line of vaccines in front of them.

In our case, we had a nice young doctor from the clinic in our small town. Because I have a history of an allergic reaction to a medication, I had to carry a pink card with me and wait an extra 15 minutes afterward. We carried on conversations with others seated nearby and the time passed quickly. Our appointment was at 3:24 and we walked out the door at right around 6:00. A lot longer than the first time, but thanks to Diane, we were prepared with snacks. And I took my knitting with me. It was really quite pleasant. Any time I get to sit and chat with my fella is a good day!

We went to Sam’s afterward and picked up some groceries and stopped for a salad from Wendy’s on the way home. I took a couple of Extra Strength Tylenol and hopefully that will take care of it. By evening, I could feel that I’d had the injection…just like the first one. I’ll let you know  what side effects, if any, that we experience.

This is a huge step in getting this under control. It feels good to do something that will benefit us all!

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“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV