To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.

I felt a bit worried about going around the system by going to North Dakota, but then I kept thinking about if I got COVID I could potentially waste the gift of my transplanted kidney. It was hard to see my 65 year old very healthy friends getting the shot, while I, at 64, could not. While we were in ND getting my shot, we saw another Minnesotan there for theirs. A child with severe disabilities. Why does that child have to wait in Minnesota while all the healthy 65+ are getting their shots so they can get back to going out to eat, etc. I don’t understand why they rolled it out the way they did. But I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to get the vaccine.

@mollyv- Hi Molly. It's nice to meet you. I know that I would feel guilty too, but I agree that your gift needs very careful care. I've read this saying a few times-"The best vaccine that you can have is the one that you can get." Your time is up to stop worrying.

Will you go back there to get your second dose?

I just received the Moderna dose 2. I think about what might be different for me now. Am I free to eat in restaurants, go to a crowded church service? For me, the incredible advantage of the vaccine is that the reaction to COVID, if I'm exposed will not result in severe illness or death. I'm not so concerned about restaurants, etc. I will still mask up, social distance, use discernment for my family and social interactions. Yesterday, only 6.3 percent of our nation is vaccinated. Not enough to take that huge, ultimate sigh. Little sighs, little by little!

@estrada53- Good morning. Congratulations on your second dose! You will still need to wear masks and wash your hands and social distance. There hasn't been enough time for researchers to determine whether you will still shed covid if you are carrying any on you, or for how long after it will last after the last dose. Be very careful with public places. I'm so glad that you are cautious!

Yes, I will go back to North Dakota for the 2nd shot. I’m all scheduled.

What kind of different recommendations from drs did you get?? Im curious

You bring up a good point when you say, "Why does that (severely disabled) child have to wait in Minnesota while all the healthy 65+ are getting their shots so they can get back to going out to eat, etc.". I think the most vulnerable among us lack advocates, transportation, money, education, resources, votes...

One of them told me I should wait because the vaccine has not been tested for our cases others said even the vaccine has not been tested on our cases we can take it because it been tested for old people 65 and above. I decided to take it..

@mollyv I do not fit the parameters for getting the vaccine right now, but am due to start treatment for multiple myeloma in March. I appealed to the governor, senators, state representatives, and county commissioners. No one would help. So I took myself to the next county south, and showed up for a first responder/teachers vaccination event, at the fairgrounds, in blowing snow/rain. A pre-school teacher told me about the event. At first the registration table wasn't going to let me process through, so I started raising my voice, asking them to put themselves in my shoes. Had to get the medical dr to sign me off on it. He was more than happy to. On the second dose, the medical dr applauded my efforts to be proactive. They have to develop some guidelines for special circumstances!
Ginger

@estrada53
Hi,
I agree with you. My daughter and I both had our second Pfizer vaccine with no ill effects...we both have great immune systems. A friend with a compromised immune system and other health problems also had no reactions after the second dose. They still don’t know why people get different reactions no matter what their health is like. With that being said we don’t do anything different than before receiving the vaccines and still take precautions.

Here in Florida we opened early and resumed our usual activities earlier than some states. Our schools have been open most of this year and it is business as usual for the most part...not always a good thing. My local gym does not and never did require any of their staff or patrons to mask up. My senior gym classes are spaced out and most of us wear a mask going into the facility and setting up our equipment before removing the masks. Some of my class chose not to vaccinate and the age span in our class is late 60s to 80.

Personally my family and I have continued to eat out and shop but continue to take precautions and we have scheduled a short plane trip to another state next month. That will be my only excursion out of town however. If you looked around this state and saw the number of people out and about you would say “What pandemic?”. My daughter and son in law went to a church last month...some spacing but only about 1/3 wearing masks. They didn’t return.

None of us are complacent after receiving the vaccine...we are just carrying on as usual since our governor opened everything. But I see mask violations everywhere and the only places that are being cited seem to be the bars in busier places where younger people congregate. There are some towns that do post mask requirements. In busy shopping areas with restaurants and small stores I would say most people do not mask up while strolling the streets. That freaks me out a bit...I can’t tell you how many times I have held my breath when coming too close to someone lol. My grandchildren...all young adults.....always mask up and are careful because it was drilled into them.

The say masks will continue for most of this year but 2021 has to be better than 2020.

Stay safe

FL Mary