h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Not sure if things are going to plan. The news is a bit up and down as to whether we are winning the fight.

The next few weeks will be interesting, after schools fully open. I think there's no doubt that cases will rise again. Having declared the 'irreversibility' of their plans, how much of a rise in cases etc is going to be tolerable, to not backtrack, or to be able to open further?

The "cast in rock" roadmap we have here has proven to be quite flexible time and again, leading to a lot of confusion. I think it is politics at work.

I've been reading about the success of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines at preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

The U.K. may not be getting those vaccines, but I have read that the U.K. is leading the world in vaccines per capita.

In the U.S., our president has promised enough vaccine dozes for every adult by the end of May.

Well. we're whizzing through on first doses, but you might have read that UK unilaterally decided to delay 2nd doses for 12 weeks instead of the 3 recommended. (Although there does seem to be some evidence that AZ is better with 12 week gap.)
In terms of percentage of population with both doses, we're not doing especially well.

Having said that, even having the first doses done appears to be making a difference.

First dose only gives you 72% protection, apparently.

The second dose brings you over 90%.

Don't ask where I read that.

I live in Texas...
Do I need to say more?

Have you been vaccinated?

The president promises enough doses of vaccine to vaccinate every adult in the country by the end of May.

Can it be done? Will it be done?

They have just started on the over 60's here, having presumably comleted the older ones.
My first dose is Monday

Massachusetts is at the same stage. I'm scheduled for the first dose on March 22.

I have just two weeks to go until my second dose.
I qualify because I'm an obese cancer patient.

Did the first dose give you any unpleasant side effects?

My sister had no trouble with either dose, but her husband didn't feel very well for quite a while.

A friend in my trailer park (she is 60) developed a red welt three inches long and two inches wide at the site of the injection. It gave her a tingly sensation.

No ill effects other than a slightly bruised shoulder.

Neither of us (70,68) had any symptoms or discomfort,he had the Astra Zenica I had the Pfizer. They have got on to the 50s plus in this town now so matters are moving along.

We both had AZ (ages 69 & 66). Mr T just a bit washed out next day. I had sudden onset of headache & fever 12 hours after jab, shivered all night. Got up next morning bit giddy, sudden bout of nausea. Not pleasant. Took paracetamol which kept symptoms under control that day & felt a lot better next day. Bit of fatigue & giddiness persisted a few days.

Much better than getting COVID.

First shot of AZ today, no definite symptoms but I do seem to be alternatly hot then cold.

I read that as a "shot of Arizona" before I got the context.

"L.A.!? What the hell am I doin' in Louisiana!?" - Meat Loaf as Travis W. Redfish, _Roadie_ 1980

LOuisiana? If it's February or March, maybe you're there for Mardi Gras?

"Not that LA, THE L.A.!" - Kaki Hunter as Lola Bouilliabase.

So far no significant side effects,24 hrs after the jab,
the effects seemed to kick in rather quicker than others have said.
I felt like I was heating up whilst I was still walking home from the doctors and had to take my coat off because I was too warm,(about an hour after the Jab as I had picked up some shopping on the way) so I was probably the only person on the road in a short sleeved shirt. also a slightly fuzzy head (like a slight hangover)but otherwise nothing really bothersome.