Safe

My dad and aunt shared how grateful everyone was when the polio vaccine was developed. People lined up to get vaccinated because they had lived with the risk of polio, and knew polio was the real safety issue — not the vaccine. That experience shaped my dad/aunt’s quick willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dad and Auntie Molly — and Sparkle — at the Berkeley Marina

Those of us who have not grown up with the serious risk of disability and death from preventable diseases lack that perspective. We have to trust that, yes — science works, and can keep us safe. Lucky Socks can only go so far.

I trusted.

I got my second vaccine yesterday. I prepared to feel crappy but so far, I am okay. My arm is REALLY painful when I move it but that seems to be it (so far). I started taking Tylenol 2 - 3 hours post-vaccination, and the pharmacist said it is okay to switch to ibuprofen after 24 hours so I will do that.

I am not a Big Fan of unnecessary vaccines in people or animals. The puppies will be lightly vaccinated for diseases that could kill them — just like I am now fully vaccinated for a disease that could kill me or someone I care about.

Covid already did kill someone who mattered — MANY of those someones. On April 6 it will be one year since Covid took Clark away from the world.

If you know his wife, now would be a great time to step up your support.

There is potentially more shuffling of placements going on behind the scenes. Let me just say this about that: Grief finds me and I must respond — it is just how I am hardwired.