They say that it’s always good if a couple have things in common. Miss Terry and I have many things in common, from the type of music we like to the kind of television shows and movies we enjoy, the books we read, traveling, and things like kite flying and fishing. Something else we have in common is that we have both been hit by ricocheting bullets, although that was decades apart and not the topic of today’s blog. Today is going to be about us getting shot together.
No, don’t worry, we’re not engaging in armed robbery or insurrection or anything like that. Yesterday we went out to the Volusia County Fairgrounds and received our first round of Moderna COVID-19 vaccination shots.
I have to say that I was very impressed with the way everything was done compared to what I’m seeing on the news and hearing from friends in a lot of places around the country. The folks here did a good job.
Our appointments were in the 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. time slot yesterday. We arrived at the fairgrounds at 2:38, and they had a very efficient setup, including signage of where to turn in. Someone walked up to the van and greeted us, asked to see our appointment slips, and then directed us to follow a line of vehicles ahead of us. We were stopped a little farther on, where they greeted us again, asked if we had any allergies or if either one of us had had any kind of vaccinations in the last 90 days or had had COVID-19. It was all handled very safely, us wearing our masks and the people working there all masked, too. They would come up to the driver’s window, stay far enough away for safety, ask their questions, and get our answers, and direct us to continue following the vehicles ahead of us.
At the next station, someone asked to see the medical and consent forms I had printed out from the Internet and we had filled out ahead of time, and before long, we were up to one of several shade shelters where they were administering the vaccinations.
The nice lady who was doing ours came to my side first, wiped my shoulder down with an alcohol swab, and I never felt her give me the shot. The next thing I knew, she was putting a Band-Aid on me. Then she went over to Terry’s side of the van, vaccinated her, we were given cards for our follow-up appointments and sent to a parking area to wait at least 15 minutes in case there were any reactions. There were none, and 54 minutes from the time we pulled into the fairgrounds, we were pulling out. I was impressed.
While we’re relieved to get the first vaccinations out of the way, I feel guilty with how easy it was for us, from making the reservation the first time we tried, to getting in and out of the fairgrounds in such a short time and not having any discomfort whatsoever from the shots. I wish it was that quick and easy and comfortable for everybody else.
Since we hadn’t been out of the house in quite a while, we took the long way home, driving down Interstate 4 to Daytona Beach and cruising down International Speedway Boulevard to see what businesses were open or closed. We were surprised that except for one or two small restaurants, everything else seemed to be open and doing well, and our favorite Chinese buffet was open for takeout and delivery orders.
Back at home, my son Travis called to ask how we were feeling and if we had any weird reactions. I said that neither one of us had any pain or discomfort and that the only thing different I had noticed was that my new third nipple was lactating. Travis sometimes regrets asking me questions, and I don’t really blame him.
Thought For The Day – Kisses have germs and should be hated, but you can kiss me because I’m vaccinated.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Fantastic. I got my appointment letter for the 2nd shot from the VA in the mail yesterday. Yay!!!!
I got my first Moderna shot a week ago. Like you Nick, I didn’t feel it. No noticeable reactions to the shot, but I did notice a little soreness at the injection site for about two days. I’m scheduled to get the second shot in four weeks, but they’re saying on the news that with the vaccine shortages around the country the second shot can be given up to six weeks later with no apparent problems. Easy peasy! 🙂
My husband and I received our vaccinations at our local Publix in Brevard County. Like you, we feel a little guilty about how easy it was for us to get the vaccine and to make an appointment. Hopefully the more this is done, the more efficient the process becomes.
Congrats on being shot together. At least there was no blood letting. Now you’re half way to being safe.
We’ll be waiting probably until summer before it’s available.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It’s about time.
Awesome, Nick. I’m happy for you two! My wife and I are a few years younger, we’re not on a list yet. We’re hoping for late next month. Thanks for the report, I hope ours goes that well! Oh, just about a year ago we cruised past the track, too, after a tough day at the flea market LOL. We had lunch at P.F. Chang’s, and it was pretty good.