I am now part of NHS Lothian's Lateral Flow staff testing programme and am armed with a box full of little vials and swabs to stick up the porcine snout twice a week for the foreseeable future.
I don't know whether I'd have had the option to refuse, but I don't really mind: I suppose it's a tiny bit of discomfort for the general good.
I've been doing them for a few weeks. I wouldn't mind the discomfort if I didn't have the sneaking suspicion that the tests are more bio-security theatre than practical utility.
But let's not fall for the Post hoc, ergo propter hoc fallacy. ("After this, therefore because of this" -- because B happens after A, then A must be the cause of B.)
My oldest brother G is in care, and his Enduring Power of Attorney person has been sent a form asking for permission to have him vaccinated (Pfizer). She passed the request onto my youngest brother K who has fallen into conspiracy land and said the that the vaccine isn't safe enough and could kill him.
He then asked for my opinion (yes! do it yesterday, if not sooner) and asked me to contact our middle brother D in the US for his opinion. I have gathered more info about how he would be handled at the care home if unvaccinated (solitary confinement in his room if there are cases of Covid in the community). I have sent an email to D explaining all this now I'm waiting for his response.
I'm not sure why I'm posting this here except that I'm worried as I don't know D's stance on this and I really want G to be protected. I hate the possibility of him being shut in his room alone as it would be so bad for his physical and mental health, (but I don't see what else they could do to protect him if he were unvaccinated.)
I don't know how to even begin to talk to K about this. Maybe I should have put this in the prayer thread.
Presumably your bother appointed the Enduring Power of Attorney person to avoid all this too-ing and fro-ing between the family members?
That is certainly why I arranged my own Lasting Power of Attorney.
It sounds as though your brother's attorney is abrogating her responsibility in this matter.
That is so stressful. I will pray, even if it is not in the prayer thread.
I had a conversation with my son the Giraffe (as he is known on these boards) last night and realised how much the pandemic and lockdown is taking its toll on him. He doesn’t believe the vaccine will make life safe, is getting his news from unreliable sources, is sure there will be nothing in life but repeated waves and lockdowns, and says he has nothing to look forward to. So we had a good long chat about vaccines and how they work, what they do and don’t do, and devised some short-term looking forward. Life is so difficult sometimes, and yet the world is still beautiful.
I think its harder for young people to have a perspective that things come and go as they have less experience of life and change. My 20 year old was very surprised in March when I booked a UK holiday in August, he didn't think we would be out of lockdown and needed reassuring.
When I was a teen the stress was about nuclear war.
When my daughter was in high school in the 1980s, some of the boys said that it didn't make any difference what they did because nuclear war would destroy everything. Forty years later, I wonder what became of them.
I think it's criminal to frighten children and young people this way.
I think it must be harder for people so young that the pandemic is likely to make up at least 20% or more of their lives before it ends. Not surprising if they can't imagine life past it--my son is I think wandering in post-high-school never-never-land, as "real university" isn't like this...
Yes, this is where the Giraffe is. And on the whole he is facing his many challenges well, but sometimes they seem to coalesce and catch up with him. Thank goodness that the shinty team are allowed to begin practice again after a year off. https://youtube.com/watch?v=gNi1fph5QNg That means he finds his place in the village again (from which I am about to rip him, as we move in two months).
Edited to add, if you watch that video, my village plays in the blue and white stripes and are the best, not only because I live there, but because they have won the Cammanachd cup most often.
I feel sorry for my sister's grandchildren, who range in age from a few weeks to nearly nine years.
The middle one, Archie, who just turned two, really hasn't known anything else, and both his birthdays have been during lockdown, so no parties or any interaction with people his own age.
On that same subject, the lady who runs the pre-school nursery in Our Place's hall tells me that they're full...so at least some Small People are able to have a more *normal* life.
Our Place runs a mums'n'toddlers coffee and soft play in the church several mornings a week. That's been able to start up again with limited numbers, appropriate social distancing, etc. The comment was made in the church newsletter that for some of the babies, it was the first time they had ever sat on the floor with another baby of their own age... something I took completely for granted when my own were that age.
Yes, and it is important. Actually more important that birthday parties, as they don’t really understand them or birthdate till they are at least 3 (though they would be fun for Auntie @Piglet!).
In better news I just got in from taking a funeral where the graveside was MOBBED by illicit Masons (illicit as we are still limited to 20 for service and committal and we already had that) and came home to a phone call from the health centre moving my second dose of vaccine from late May to next Wednesday! When I read about shippies having to phone round to get slots I bless our system.
I don't suppose there was any point in reporting the Illicit Masons to the police, as most of them were probably coppers, anyway (or else businessmen/Polly Titians with policemen on their payrolls).
Got the rest of the church down to get their second shot. Mr Lamb spent the morning calling round to see how everyone was. As expected, no real issues. (Vietnamese churches are like that; if the pastor DIDN'T call (having arranged the vax drive in the first place!) people would be mightily offended.))
Got the rest of the church down to get their second shot. Mr Lamb spent the morning calling round to see how everyone was. As expected, no real issues. (Vietnamese churches are like that; if the pastor DIDN'T call (having arranged the vax drive in the first place!) people would be mightily offended.))
Would they also be languishing under all sorts of Hideous Side-Effects if Pastor Lamb didn't call?
But of course they would! Terribly, terribly dreadful side-effects, which you (reproachful look at pastor) didn't even care enough to find out about. The worst side effects. Side effects like nobody has ever had ever.
(Seriously, a small Vietnamese church is built on relationships and behaves in many ways like a very large extended family, with flounces and complaints and incredible acts of love and chicken soup brought to your door when you're sick. I just ordered up a cubic yard of cowshit (okay, garden mix) as a gift for one family for their garden. It's somewhat in recompense for the mangoes, etc. they have been sending home to my son on a regular basis. Which they did because they feel related to us, and we have helped with their immigration paperwork, etc. And so on, and so forth.)
They make me laugh. But it's also pretty wonderful to be among people who actually give a shit what happens to me--and expect the same in return.
But of course they would! Terribly, terribly dreadful side-effects, which you (reproachful look at pastor) didn't even care enough to find out about. The worst side effects. Side effects like nobody has ever had ever.
(Seriously, a small Vietnamese church is built on relationships and behaves in many ways like a very large extended family, with flounces and complaints and incredible acts of love and chicken soup brought to your door when you're sick. I just ordered up a cubic yard of cowshit (okay, garden mix) as a gift for one family for their garden. It's somewhat in recompense for the mangoes, etc. they have been sending home to my son on a regular basis. Which they did because they feel related to us, and we have helped with their immigration paperwork, etc. And so on, and so forth.)
They make me laugh. But it's also pretty wonderful to be among people who actually give a shit what happens to me--and expect the same in return.
They sound like a proper family, indeed. You and Mr Lamb are clearly greatly blessed!
In better news I just got in from taking a funeral where the graveside was MOBBED by illicit Masons
Well, d'you know, this is the second time this week I've heard of that - Masons arriving at a funeral to Do Their Thing For One of Their Own; and it being quite difficult. My father was a Mason and we had none of that - they simply contacted my mother after his death to make sure she was ok financially and to let them know if there was anything they could do to help.
That does sound refreshingly like Family, @Lamb Chopped .
Invite for the second jab in its bright blue envelope. A Saturday at a downtown conference centre as was the previous, but at least I have a 2.30 slot rather than 5.30 like last time.
It was all a little different for me as an NHS worker...
Our Head of Unit was told slots were opening up & he booked us in for them for the first jab (we got confirmatory email once slot booked). For the second jab we had a text message with a link to a website where we booked our own slots (which when you don't have a smartphone means manually copying a URL - can't remember if invite to book also came via email or no, but definitely came via text). Confirmation of slot came by email again after we'd booked it.
My local surgery uses text messages. We had a message a few weeks back to say that second jabs would be 11-12 weeks after the first, and please do not book anywhere else as they have already ordered the vaccine.
Next text message last Thursday inviting me to make an appointment for second jab, with reminder on Friday morning as I had not actually made an appointment by then. Now booked in for next Saturday, exactly 11 weeks after the first jab.
I had a phone call from my surgery saying my appointment for the second jab has been brought forward 2 weeks so mine is on Saturday too. Mr Bee had his second last Saturday and had no side effects at all.
I'm still waiting on my first jab (probably June).
Yes, so is my daughter, and the checker wasn't giving imminent dates when I checked. (She doesn't fit into any of the little boxes for being vulnerable, so she isn't!)
Had my second AZ vaccination yesterday - no repeat of the side effects from last time - at least so far. Mr RoS had his second Pfizer today. No discomfort either time.
Elder son just scrapes into the latest tranche, and has his first on Saturday. His wife has had her first, and her parents have had both of theirs
Eldest and second eldest grandsons have had their first (one disabled, one a young carer). That leaves Younger Son and his wife unvaccinated, but hopefully next in line when the over 45s have all been called. Her parents have had their first and must be due their second any day now.
Youngest three grandkids remain unvaccinated,
I do wonder about the extent to which all this is fraying the NHS.
For the first time in 6 years, Mr F's appointment was missed off the consultant's list. Caught up 4 days later, but then the essential prescription - which had 'Taxi to patient' in big red letters on it - was still sitting in the pharmacy when it should have been delivered.
I do wonder about the extent to which all this is fraying the NHS.
For the first time in 6 years, Mr F's appointment was missed off the consultant's list. Caught up 4 days later, but then the essential prescription - which had 'Taxi to patient' in big red letters on it - was still sitting in the pharmacy when it should have been delivered.
I have been referred to a neurologist. Wait time for the first appointment? 52 weeks.
I do wonder about the extent to which all this is fraying the NHS.
For the first time in 6 years, Mr F's appointment was missed off the consultant's list. Caught up 4 days later, but then the essential prescription - which had 'Taxi to patient' in big red letters on it - was still sitting in the pharmacy when it should have been delivered.
I have been referred to a neurologist. Wait time for the first appointment? 52 weeks.
O dear. That's far too long...
Following my brain surgery in May 2016, I'm supposed to have an MRI scan (at King's College Hospital, London) each autumn.
The last one was done in September 2019, but 2020's never happened - the Neuro-oncology peeps have been very good in keeping in touch with me by telephone, though, and when I last spoke to them a few weeks ago, they said that they were running more than 6 months late...
I have to have a CAT scan in connection with a diagnosis I'll keep to myself for the moment. I called yesterday to schedule it, and was given an appointment a week from today. I guess I'm lucky to have a good Medicare Supplement provider.
I have to have a CAT scan in connection with a diagnosis I'll keep to myself for the moment. I called yesterday to schedule it, and was given an appointment a week from today. I guess I'm lucky to have a good Medicare Supplement provider.
You are.
Our NHS is excellent and free at the point of use. But the wait times, especially post Covid, are excruciating.
If things get really bad I shall be treated in Germany, and pay. Heidelberg is famous for medical tourists, I’ll just become another. But I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that if my physiotherapist can work miracles ...
Off to get shot #2 right now! Mine's Pfizer. The first shot, I had aches and a fever for the better part of the next day, and my whole upper arm and lymph nodes were swollen and sore for 4 days! I'm hoping this won't be as bad. I had COVID in November - for me, it was like a flu but worse than any flu I've ever had. I guess people who have had COVID are having stronger reactions to their first injection, but I haven't heard whether that's also true of the second, or whether that tends to go better. Here's hoping!
I'm just annoyed that the weather here is much colder than it was 2 weeks ago. It means I have to wear layers and therefore have to partially disrobe when I get there (there being Ford Field, where the Detroit Lions play, and they've got a clinic for this set up, being run by army medics - it flows pretty smoothly).
Comments
I've been doing them for a few weeks. I wouldn't mind the discomfort if I didn't have the sneaking suspicion that the tests are more bio-security theatre than practical utility.
He then asked for my opinion (yes! do it yesterday, if not sooner) and asked me to contact our middle brother D in the US for his opinion. I have gathered more info about how he would be handled at the care home if unvaccinated (solitary confinement in his room if there are cases of Covid in the community). I have sent an email to D explaining all this now I'm waiting for his response.
I'm not sure why I'm posting this here except that I'm worried as I don't know D's stance on this and I really want G to be protected. I hate the possibility of him being shut in his room alone as it would be so bad for his physical and mental health, (but I don't see what else they could do to protect him if he were unvaccinated.)
I don't know how to even begin to talk to K about this. Maybe I should have put this in the prayer thread.
That is certainly why I arranged my own Lasting Power of Attorney.
It sounds as though your brother's attorney is abrogating her responsibility in this matter.
I had a conversation with my son the Giraffe (as he is known on these boards) last night and realised how much the pandemic and lockdown is taking its toll on him. He doesn’t believe the vaccine will make life safe, is getting his news from unreliable sources, is sure there will be nothing in life but repeated waves and lockdowns, and says he has nothing to look forward to. So we had a good long chat about vaccines and how they work, what they do and don’t do, and devised some short-term looking forward. Life is so difficult sometimes, and yet the world is still beautiful.
When I was a teen the stress was about nuclear war.
And
The reporting of war mongering from Russia is Really not helping some young people.
Whilst gardening yesterday I overhead passing youngsters talking about “When the next war starts....”
I think it's criminal to frighten children and young people this way.
Edited to add, if you watch that video, my village plays in the blue and white stripes and are the best, not only because I live there, but because they have won the Cammanachd cup most often.
The middle one, Archie, who just turned two, really hasn't known anything else, and both his birthdays have been during lockdown, so no parties or any interaction with people his own age.
In better news I just got in from taking a funeral where the graveside was MOBBED by illicit Masons (illicit as we are still limited to 20 for service and committal and we already had that) and came home to a phone call from the health centre moving my second dose of vaccine from late May to next Wednesday! When I read about shippies having to phone round to get slots I bless our system.
I suppose the Illicit Masons* assumed the virus belonged to the same lodge, and would leave them be?
* they're a very exclusive branch ...
Cynical? Moi?
Interesting to see who is a Brother!
Still, labourers, joiners (and possibly even a worker-in-stone or two) would seem more in keeping with the mediaeval origins...
Would they also be languishing under all sorts of Hideous Side-Effects if Pastor Lamb didn't call?
(Seriously, a small Vietnamese church is built on relationships and behaves in many ways like a very large extended family, with flounces and complaints and incredible acts of love and chicken soup brought to your door when you're sick. I just ordered up a cubic yard of cowshit (okay, garden mix) as a gift for one family for their garden. It's somewhat in recompense for the mangoes, etc. they have been sending home to my son on a regular basis. Which they did because they feel related to us, and we have helped with their immigration paperwork, etc. And so on, and so forth.)
They make me laugh. But it's also pretty wonderful to be among people who actually give a shit what happens to me--and expect the same in return.
They sound like a proper family, indeed. You and Mr Lamb are clearly greatly blessed!
That does sound refreshingly like Family, @Lamb Chopped .
Our Head of Unit was told slots were opening up & he booked us in for them for the first jab (we got confirmatory email once slot booked). For the second jab we had a text message with a link to a website where we booked our own slots (which when you don't have a smartphone means manually copying a URL - can't remember if invite to book also came via email or no, but definitely came via text). Confirmation of slot came by email again after we'd booked it.
Next text message last Thursday inviting me to make an appointment for second jab, with reminder on Friday morning as I had not actually made an appointment by then. Now booked in for next Saturday, exactly 11 weeks after the first jab.
Yes, so is my daughter, and the checker wasn't giving imminent dates when I checked. (She doesn't fit into any of the little boxes for being vulnerable, so she isn't!)
Elder son just scrapes into the latest tranche, and has his first on Saturday. His wife has had her first, and her parents have had both of theirs
Eldest and second eldest grandsons have had their first (one disabled, one a young carer). That leaves Younger Son and his wife unvaccinated, but hopefully next in line when the over 45s have all been called. Her parents have had their first and must be due their second any day now.
Youngest three grandkids remain unvaccinated,
For the first time in 6 years, Mr F's appointment was missed off the consultant's list. Caught up 4 days later, but then the essential prescription - which had 'Taxi to patient' in big red letters on it - was still sitting in the pharmacy when it should have been delivered.
I have been referred to a neurologist. Wait time for the first appointment? 52 weeks.
O dear. That's far too long...
Following my brain surgery in May 2016, I'm supposed to have an MRI scan (at King's College Hospital, London) each autumn.
The last one was done in September 2019, but 2020's never happened - the Neuro-oncology peeps have been very good in keeping in touch with me by telephone, though, and when I last spoke to them a few weeks ago, they said that they were running more than 6 months late...
You are.
Our NHS is excellent and free at the point of use. But the wait times, especially post Covid, are excruciating.
If things get really bad I shall be treated in Germany, and pay. Heidelberg is famous for medical tourists, I’ll just become another. But I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that if my physiotherapist can work miracles ...
Seriously though, prayers ascending that it doesn't show anything you don't want to see.
I'm just annoyed that the weather here is much colder than it was 2 weeks ago. It means I have to wear layers and therefore have to partially disrobe when I get there (there being Ford Field, where the Detroit Lions play, and they've got a clinic for this set up, being run by army medics - it flows pretty smoothly).