[Ricky Ricardo]

Last Friday afternoon, Popi got a PM hot tip from a HF member. They said that the Baldwin Park Kaiser Hospital was taking reservations for the Covid vaccine in category 1a and 1b. Popi called immediately but their Covid vaccine reservation line was closed for the day and would not open again until 8:30am on Monday. I called at 8:30 exactly this morning but got the message that the reservation line was still closed, so I put my phone on continuous re-dial. Finally, at 8:45 they answered the phone. They said, can you come in at noon TODAY, and even though Baldwin Park is 70 miles from our residence over very busy freeways, I said, "save me a place!" Because of my recent heart surgery, I am in 1b category and since Momi lives with me and my caregiver, she could get a vaccination too. We were both vaccinated today. To go into some necessary detail:
- this program is only available to Kaiser members
- vaccination was no cost.
- even though the hospital was busy, it was not packed. I took us about 30 minutes total, 15 minutes for check-in and waiting in line (Kaiser medical staff was given priority which was fine with us) and 15 minutes for eyes-on observation for any reaction ( nobody had any reaction while we were there)
- some of the medical professionals were there getting their SECOND vaccination!
- 5 vaccination stations were open and about 20/25 people sitting in chairs for observation after vaccination
- we received the Moderna vaccine. we will get a second vaccination in 28 days (February 5 for us)
- The first vaccination gives a 50% immunity after 28 days. The second vaccination gives a 98/100% immunity after another 14 days (for us Feb, 19)
- the appointment for our second vaccination was given on the spot
- we were given a vaccination card with date and lot number of the vaccine. First and second vaccinations MUST BE FROM THE SAME LOT (I was warned, don't lose your card)! The vaccination verification card may be required at some public venues in the future.
- the inoculation was 100% painless (Momi agrees)
- side effects: I have an uncontrollable urge to eat a donut (I may need a second dose tomorrow) Momi says she has a very mild headache (which is unusual for her) but took a Tylenol and it is gone. Nothing else, no sore arms.

Essential points: we were NOT vaccinated with a live virus or a dead virus. We were vaccinated with a manufactured inert clone of the virus which fools the body into producing virus antibodies for immunity. We were not inoculated with any microchip (a lie circulated by the anti-vaxxer crowd)

I want to thank the HF member who gave me the heads up. You know who you are! You have thrown me a lifeline and I owe you :hail:. HF is such a wonderful community, as good as family. The interesting thing is the human owners seem to take on all the characteristics of the Havanese breed over a period of time. So it really makes me wonder, WHO is teaching WHO?

I hope you will all be receiving news soon for your vaccination date. THIS IS A GAME CHANGER! I not only see a light at the end of the tunnel, I can see the end of the tunnel itself! Keep us all informed of your progress as we drag each other over the finish line.

Ricky's Popi

 

[Molly120213]

So happy for you and Momi!

 

[Mando's Mommy]

Fantastic news! So happy for you and Momi (and Ricky, too!).

 

[EvaE1izabeth]

Great news! Congratulations! I hope you are having a little celebration tonight

 

[ShamaMama]

Hurray! Everyone should post their vaccination dates in this thread ...

 

[Ricky Ricardo]

Mama of Shama, as an educator, if living in SoCal and member of Kaiser, you could have been vaccinated right alongside me today in Baldwin Park (near Pasadena). And honestly, I believe your calling in life is more important than me.

 

[Heather's]

YAY!!! So happy to hear you and Momi were able to receive the vaccine today. That was a long drive!
Great idea Annie... posting here when we receive the vaccine. It will be interesting. 😊

 

[Cassandra]

Fantastic! Great work and perseverance!

 

[Mikki]

My husband and I were vaccinated Jan 5th. The scheduled booster shot is February 2nd. Hoping to get the booster.

Side Effects: The next morning when I woke up I had a tiny headache that went away after getting up. My shoulder was sore if I pushed on the injection sight. The second day my husband said he felt kind of Yucky in the morning but that feeling soon passed. His shoulder was sore if he pushed on the injection sight. Side effects means the vaccine is working.

We received Moderan. Were given an appointment card with a return date and told to come back to the same place, at the same time.

Our daughter is a hospital employee and we knew the vaccine was being given to people in healthcare. Oklahoma combined Phase 1 & 2. I didn't call for an appointment but a friend Texted me and told me to call because they were make appointments for persons 70 and older, in addition, to healthcare employees and first responders.

I called and stayed on hold for about 20 minutes and at 4:52 p.m. made an appointment. The Health Dept closes at 5 p.m. Whew! Since then the Health Department has developed an Online appointment system. People in Oklahoma Register with the State Health Department providing information that places them in line according to the Phase they are in. They will receive an e-mail when the vaccine is available and based on when they applied (first come first served) and what Phase they are in, the Health Department automatically schedules them an appointment. Appointments now included people 65 and up, first responders and people with healthcare issues.

You can use multiple email addresses and ask for appointments in any county around the state.

While the Governor in Oklahoma is a Trumpster and hasn't been effective in controlling the spread go COVID, the Health Department has gotten its act together and appears to be well organized - at this time.

We recently purchased four Dyson Air Purifiers for our home. The grandsons occasionally attend in person classes. Mostly they are online or only attend two 3-hour school days a week when school is in session - Masked and they come right home. For the most part we are segregated in home but the Air Purifiers are just another small form of protection.

Initially, I was going to buy one for our bedroom because they're good for removing pollen and we have lots of Cedar Trees. But learned the Dyson HEPA filters will screen out COVID particles. The boys are together in the same room the majority of the time so if one of them becomes infected up the air purifier in their room is another line a defense and may help protect the other kid, as well as, mom and the grandparents.

If someone in the household becomes affected keeping them in one room with an air purifier helps protect other family members.

 

[morriscsps]

:whoo::clap2:

 

[Ricky Ricardo]

From the EPA:

When used properly, air cleaners and HVAC filters can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a building or small space. By itself, air cleaning or filtration is not enough to protect people from exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. When used along with other best practices recommended by CDC and others, filtration can be part of a plan to reduce the potential for airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors.​

Ricky's Popi

 

[Jackie from Concrete WA]

That's great news Popi! I should be eligible sometime this month from what I've been hearing on our local news. The problem is that they haven't indicated where to go or who to call for an appointment! I'm going to call my doctor's office and see if they are doing it or know who to call and where to go.

 

[EvaE1izabeth]

We have been changing our air filters more frequently and running our fan more often. While it hasn’t been recommended or proven to make a difference in transmission in the home, good ventilation and air circulation have been proven to reduce transmission in public spaces. In my mind, the worst outcome of running the fan and changing air filters more often (meaning when we’re actually supposed to!) is that we have better air quality in our house. We wear masks and limit our activity outside of the home, but both of my kids also have hybrid schedules. In Mikki’s case, where the filter actually can capture covid particles, maybe it won’t prevent transmission, but it also won’t increase the chances of transmission, so i can see the benefit of making the investment now. If we compartmentalize the science behind masks, they shouldn’t prevent as much transmission as they do. They ARE effective in reducing transmission, even though particles could theoretically pass through some masks. I think some of this is because science is complex, but I also think a small portion is we are more aware of our behavior when we’re wearing masks. Maybe changing my air filter won’t do a thing, but maybe the fact that I washed my hands an extra time after I changed it will. Or that reducing the dust in my home means I touch my face less. It may be flawed reasoning, but as long as I’m also following other guidelines, it helps me feel like I’m “doing” something, so I’m okay with it.

I’m looking forward to the vaccine! It seems like some of the distribution hurdles are beginning to settle here, which is good news.

 

[Milo's Mom]

My husband and I received our first injection of Moderna in Florida on Sunday without any serious side effects, other than sore arms. We are scheduled for the second injection on February 7.

 

[Ricky Ricardo]

My husband and I received our first injection of Moderna in Florida on Sunday without any serious side effects, other than sore arms. We are scheduled for the second injection on February 7.

Great news! On day two, I still have no side effects but Momi now has a sore arm at the injection site. It is not serious enough for her to take any Tylenol.

Ricky's Popi

 

[gelbergirl]

Terrific news!

 

[Dexter and Reia’s mom]

Yay🎉 that’s great news! Can’t wait for mine...

 

[ShamaMama]

1. Mikki - Jan. 5
2. Milo's Mom - Jan. 10
3. Ricky's Popi - Jan. 11

 

[Ricky Ricardo]

1. Mikki - Jan. 5
2. Milo's Mom - Jan. 10
3. Ricky's Popi - Jan. 11

The dominoes are starting to fall, so to speak. It's happening!

Ricky's Popi

 

[krandall]

I’m so glad to hear that you, Popi, and some of the others, are getting their vaccines! Unfortunately, MA is doing a terrible job.