There have been a few tweets about Margaret Keenan today. including the usual idiots I don't know what's wrong with these people. Having a bit of fun is okay, but some people need to be dropped in a very deep hole that is filled in with cement.
There have been a few tweets about Margaret Keenan today. including the usual idiots I don't know what's wrong with these people. Having a bit of fun is okay, but some people need to be dropped in a very deep hole that is filled in with cement.
The seniors round here are all daft as a brush. The rules for the shops are that until 11am you can only go to the store if you are 65 or over. After 11 it's open to everyone. This isn't so much to do with infection containment but rather to allow more vulnerable folks to be able to actually buy toilet roll & yeast etc. before all the yahoos try to stock-pile it. What invariably happens is that the shops are practically deserted until 11am at which point the seniors all start rocking up. I was at the post office today. Bang on 11. There were 5 people in the queue & I spent 30 minutes getting parcels posted to various places. Coming out, the queue was at least 50 people long, all standing in the rain & 80% were seniors grumbling about having to wait behind the non seniors.
Here's an email (slightly edited) I received from my doctor yesterday about current vaccine status in Washington state:
We know all of you have questions about Covid-19 vaccination and we hope this email provides helpful information and perspective.
You have no doubt heard exciting news regarding highly effective (95%) Covid-19 vaccinations from manufacturers including Pfizer and BioNTech (granted FDA "emergency use authorization" (EUA) status on December 10th) and Moderna (likely to apply for EUA status soon). Both are thought to be very safe (short term side effects of fatigue, injection site soreness, headaches and low-grade fever reported). We strongly support you receive a vaccination when it becomes available.
There are understandable questions about how the distribution will proceed. Washington State will receive its first allotment in mid-December and the second in late December, but the distribution schedule has not been finalized by the state or the local Departments of Health. However, as far as we can tell, it is likely to follow a timeline similar to the CDC recommendations, as outlined below (although of course, this is an uncertain and dynamic process with numerous complexities that may delay availability).
FIRST PHASE:
Tier 1A (beginning mid-December through late January): healthcare workers and first responders such as police officers, firefighters, EMTs and others.
Tier 1B (beginning late December to mid-January): people living in nursing homes
Tier 1C (beginning early February through April): people over 65 years of age and people of all ages with co-morbid medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease) that place them at moderately-significantly higher risk (see link below, excepting pregnant women and children under the age of 16, in whom the vaccine has not yet been studied).
SECOND PHASE:
(Beginning early April): “essential workers” including teachers and childcare workers; and those in other critical roles whereby working from home is not an option.
THIRD PHASE:
(Beginning early May and into Summer): all other adults.
For those who have already had COVID-19, there will likely be a recommendation that you receive a vaccination as well, although timing has not yet been determined. Until then, you should have some protective immunity as a result of your prior illness.
Given that there will be very limited allocations to Washington State initially, it is still uncertain when it will be available in private clinics but we have applied to be an official distribution center--we will let you as soon as vaccinations are available at SMA or any other locations, such as hospitals, pharmacies, etc. We realize that there are likely to be many questions over the coming weeks and months and we will do our best to keep you informed of the latest developments.
You may rest assured that we remain your advocates in navigating this process successfully.
As always, we hope you remain safe and well during the holiday season.
Yeah, about all those nice, little, intimate indoor gatherings.
This seems like household is the default. Retail just seems too low (assuming it includes grocery stores). Likewise, restaurant/bar patrons are probably not admitting it and then it just goes down to household. Prison is probably low because fewer people are in them, but if you are your odds aren't great. I don't see nursing homes on the list... similar to prison spread?
Good to have data, but hate that I question it immediately.
Yeah, about all those nice, little, intimate indoor gatherings.
This seems like household is the default. Retail just seems too low (assuming it includes grocery stores). Likewise, restaurant/bar patrons are probably not admitting it and then it just goes down to household. Prison is probably low because fewer people are in them, but if you are your odds aren't great. I don't see nursing homes on the list... similar to prison spread?
Good to have data, but hate that I question it immediately.
Yes, this data seems very incomplete and some of the categories have numbers that just don’t wash. You are right to ask questions!
I have a problems with the contact tracing apps in that the data stems from how many people have actually installed it & have bothered to make sure their bluetooth is even switched on so it can actually communicate. Then there's the communication. How often have you tried to pair blue tooth devices & been unsuccessful? Last week I dug up 2 of my previous Moto X phones to get photos off them & neither wanted to pair with my computer. 1 paired with my current Moto but the other didn't want to know. With the app, it's got to effectively "talk" to other users without even pairing. So questioning the data is perfectly valid as it can be painting a completely false picture which is absolutely no use to anyone. I have the Hungarian app installed on my phone (Virus Radar). Had it for a few weeks now & have encountered exactly 0 people who have tested positive in all that time after doing numerous post office, shopping & general errands for various people who are either unable or are frightened. To me that's statistically improbable given the infection rate here. I (rather macabrely) am actually looking forward to the day it shows at least 1 person. Monday I am going to the doctor's to get a medical conformation that I am fit to drive so I can switch my English license for a Hungarian one. I will be watching the app with interest while I'm in the waiting room
I have a problems with the contact tracing apps in that the data stems from how many people have actually installed it & have bothered to make sure their bluetooth is even switched on so it can actually communicate. Then there's the communication. How often have you tried to pair blue tooth devices & been unsuccessful? Last week I dug up 2 of my previous Moto X phones to get photos off them & neither wanted to pair with my computer. 1 paired with my current Moto but the other didn't want to know. With the app, it's got to effectively "talk" to other users without even pairing. So questioning the data is perfectly valid as it can be painting a completely false picture which is absolutely no use to anyone. I have the Hungarian app installed on my phone (Virus Radar). Had it for a few weeks now & have encountered exactly 0 people who have tested positive in all that time after doing numerous post office, shopping & general errands for various people who are either unable or are frightened. To me that's statistically improbable given the infection rate here. I (rather macabrely) am actually looking forward to the day it shows at least 1 person. Monday I am going to the doctor's to get a medical conformation that I am fit to drive so I can switch my English license for a Hungarian one. I will be watching the app with interest while I'm in the waiting room
Did you meet someone & qualify for the free minivan? Little Steven or Stephanie on the way? I kid, I kid! I saw a news report about that. Probably propaganda from someone/anyone.
I have bee listening over the past few weeks to see if the sound of ambulance sirens is really increasing in frequency or if it's just my imagination. I am now certain there is an increase. I have also been keeping my eye on whether the mobile morgues are back at the nearest hospital. I'll be right by it today and will be curious to see if they're back, too.