Saturday, March 13, 2021

One whole year

Yesterday afternoon Gregg and I received our second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination. What a relief to know that in two more weeks we'll be fully protected from this dread virus.



It's been almost exactly one year since all this began. I'm glad I didn't know at the time exactly how long the pandemic was going to drag out; I distinctly remember thinking that in a few weeks it would be under control and life would get back to normal. Haha!

I'm thankful for science and the worldwide effort it took to get effective vaccines developed and distributed in such a short amount of time. Well, short is relative but you know what I mean. With all the loss of life and all the suffering, I'm also grateful that neither we nor anyone we're close to and love have gotten seriously ill or died. (I should qualify that and add the word yet so as not to tempt fate). 

So far the side effects from the second shot have been mild. My arm started to hurt sooner this time and was (and is) terribly sore. I had crazy dreams all night and when I woke up this morning I felt jittery and weak and out of sorts, kind of like when you're recovering from a bout of the flu. A good dose of Motrin helped a lot and as I sit here typing this, I feel mostly fine. Maybe a little tired. Gregg felt totally normal this morning and went to work as usual. His arm didn't even get sore this time.

It's strange to think about being able to do social things again soon. I feel a bit gun shy about it, to be honest. The first few times I meet up with other vaccinated friends without masks and without social distancing, I think I'm going to be uncomfortable. After a full year of forced vigilance and fear of getting sick, I can't imagine being able to immediately turn off the anxiety. And some things are probably over forever, like blowing out candles on birthday cakes. It's definitely going to be a "new" normal. I wonder what that will look like?

Still, the President has said that he wants vaccines offered to all adults without exceptions by May 1st, and we're on track to be able to celebrate a normal Independence Day holiday. That sounds good to me! The fourth of July seems like a reasonable target for a return to normalcy if everyone has a chance to get vaccinated starting in May. 


23 comments:

  1. I am so happy for you both. Feeling a bit more hopeful lately.

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  2. jen, please take down the card photo; it has your birthdate on it and you may have the date stolen by evil people. I like the new pix of marco.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Anne Marie! I hadn't thought of that. Done.

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    2. just trying to protect you from idiots, dear!

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    3. Jennifer, I totally agree with Anne, because there's a lot of idiots out there!

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  3. That is great news Jennifer but I know what you mean about feeling "gun shy". Will normal life ever be fully resumed?

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    1. My book club is planning to resume meeting in person on April 21. All of us will have been vaccinated by then and it's going to be strange (but wonderful) to see them all again in person sans masks.

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    2. that will be FABULOUS! something to look forward to!

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  4. Yep. I'm feeling gun shy too and besides that, even thinking about going into a store or shop with a lot of people makes me crazy-anxious. I have to get over that. I guess.
    Maybe I'll just be a hermit for the rest of my life.

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    Replies
    1. I don't miss shopping, I can tell you that. Crowded public places aren't my favorite.

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  5. Congratulations to you and Gregg! I'm so happy for you that you now have had both shots! Just wondering - did you have the second shot in the same arm as the first one? I've heard some people say they don't use the same arm for each shot in hopes of reducing a stronger reaction in the same arm. I don't know if it actually makes a difference or not. You two have a great weekend!

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    1. We both had the shot in our left shoulders, same as last time.

      You have a great weekend, too!

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  6. It will soon be coming up on a year since I was laid off. It will also be some time till I'm vaccinated I suspect, and even after that, I don't intend to jump back into my generally full social calendar, like these idiots and idiot states. Im not to worried about side affects. I never seem to get any and all the gin Im sure will fend them off, lol!

    I also don't rule out what else mother nature has up her sleeve....

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    1. Like you, I don't rule out another pandemic as much as it pains me to admit it. I sincerely hope this isn't a preview of our future. :(

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  7. My arm was sore and I was tired, so I napped all day. Nothing to write home about.

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  8. Congratulations to you both!

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  9. Your anxiety for the future is, I think, common to all of us. Some things will never be the same. I'm pleased to see that you now use the word 'President' without any accompanying expletives!

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  10. I am pleased to hear that you have had your second jab, especially as you work in a school, and Greg has health problems. I had my first one 23rd `Jan, but won't get the 2nd for another 5 weeks ! ( I am much older than you!) It is so different throughout the world how this vaccine is being given. Many over 70s are still waiting for a first one!

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