DAY 120: "Out Of Order"

      Thursday at the end of April: Time to reorder my monthly prescription medications. I open the URL for Bartell's Rx page. It looks different, but the general specifics are still there. I type and enter the number of my first med. 

     Error: "Please check the RX number and try again." 

     I try again. Error. I try a modified number. Error. I try a different number, typing carefully. Error: "If you are still having difficulty, please contact the pharmacy."

     Not to worry, I know I can always reorder by phone.

     I call the automated hotline, but this presents another unforeseen problem. As I enter the Rx number, my phone shows me all the digits I have dialed. For example, 104114. The automatic voice, however, reads back the number as 1041144 (an extra digit). "If this is correct, press 1; If this is not correct, press 3." 

     So I press 3 and try again, but again I get a similar response. It's not my shaky fingers, my phone reports the correct numbers as I have dialed them. The automated service is somehow in Error. 

     Not to worry: After further attempts fail, I'm given the option to contact the pharmacy directly, as I have done in the past. The line is answered, "Bartell's Pharmacy…?"

     I briefly explain the extra digits. "Can I just tell you who I am and order the meds through you?"

     CLICK… Silence. Momentary disbelief. The call hangs in an empty void. Am I on hold? Am I disconnected? "I guess that means No, then," I finally say to the nothingness.

     Curiously, one of my daily meds is 40 mg of Ziprasidone. Technically, that means I don't get angry anymore. I'm stuck on mellow. But I shouldn't be.

     I wait till later and start again. This time I'm successful. But I feel I've been punished because someone else's technology had so far failed. In fact, this is an old pet peeve of mine. Yours, too, probably. That's one of the reasons why our local Covid inoculation program seems so impressive (it actually works).

     Like you, my medications are important to me. And normally, Bartell's treats me very well; especially considering the years of horrendous service I experienced at Harborview's Outpatient Pharmacy.

     Should I complain? Spreading some awareness of the company's intermittently faulty tech should help clarify why calls like mine are received by those appointed to answer them. Just such an understanding became clear to me decades ago in my own work experience. It's like a big "Out Of Order" sign written in multiple languages, you can't miss it.

     Now where's my Ziprasidone, before I get cranky…?

DAY 114: "More Shots"

     It's looking like further vaccinations will be required for all of us. Too many anti-vaxxers, too many Red State re-opening policies, and too many coronavirus mutations are all conspiring to make the goal of herd immunity less & less likely.

     It wasn't so long ago that the previous mal-administration had justified allowing rampant infections in a misguided and deadly attempt to reach what Trump referred-to as "herd mentality." But now that we have it in our grasp, the same GOP mouthpieces have openly opposed widespread immunity, preferring instead to saddle Joe Biden's presidency with a wider share of the fatalities.

     Scientists & CEOs of Moderna, Pfizer, and BioNTech have each stated publicly that a 3rd dose of vaccine or even seasonal booster shots will be likely in the years ahead.

DAY 113: "Reaction Report, part 4"

     Feeling fine, one day after my 2nd vaccination…not exactly energetic, but clear-minded and perhaps a bit ambitious. I've had to contend with constant sinus problems all day, but my arm feels less sore than it did after the 1st Pfizer shot. I can't imagine that I dodged the nastier side effects by simply drinking electrolytes and taking vitamins.

     Steven, on the other hand, had his 2nd Moderna shot Wednesday: He reports that it all started with a headache; he slept for a while; then felt as if he'd been hit by a bus.

     The next day he was "praying for death." His headache was blinding, his arm was paralyzed, and his body aches made it hard to move. But no diarrhea, thankfully.

     Today, when the symptoms subsided, he had tinnitus and felt fatigued, but his appetite returned.

     Things are okay now.

DAY 112: "Vaccination Day, part 2"

     Earth Day, 11:20 AM. My appointment is in ten minutes. The line's grown extremely long since my first visit. Somehow, they manage to keep us moving at a brisk pace.

     My number is called. Nikki asks about my minor symptoms following the first shot 17 days ago (headache and sore arm). She says about twice as many people report bad reactions to their second Pfizer. Symptoms, if any, come on 12-18 hours later, and these last 12-24 for most folk. For aches & pains, I'm to start with my Acetaminophen. If it persists, take the Naproxen, an anti-inflammatory. But remember, inflammation is a proper immune response to the vaccine.

     I present my right arm again. "The more relaxed you are, the less you feel it."

     I'm also advised to photocopy my flimsy little "vaccination card," and to keep it safe in the meantime. I get no clear confirmation about the media's recommendations to drink Gatorade, et.al.. "It's always good to hydrate, isn't it?" But if the arm is sore, I'm to move it around a bit.

     We finish rather quickly, and Patrick with an accent instructs me to take a seat at chair #3. Maximum Occupancy is 99 (presumably at pre-Pandemic levels). 15 minutes later I am cleared for the exit. As before, the entire experience takes no more than half an hour from start to finish. All in all, it's an impressive feat.

DAY 106: "Reaction Report, part 3"

     Pete in Grant County got his 2 shots of Pfizer at Walmart. No side effects, no headaches, and no precautionary measures -- I'd heard that drinking sports beverages with electrolytes was recommended; something I failed to ask about when I got my 1st Pfizer on April 5th.

     Joel E. got his 1st Moderna shot yesterday. No serious side effects so far this evening, although he now thinks that it caused him some noticeable fatigue. The standard handout we all received warns of flu-like symptoms. Nothing in there about blood clots.

     Having been vaccinated will take away much of the fear we might have about returning cautiously to normal social behavior, whatever passes for normal these days. The probability of actually being shot with a military-grade firearm is picking up pace.

DAY 102: "Reaction Report, part 2"

     Stevo received his Johnson & Johnson shot on Good Friday. Saturday he had a headache and felt sleepy, but otherwise seemed okay. Tuesday he awoke with nausea, throwing up later in the day. His body ached and he drank three litres of water, eating very little. Wednesday, he felt better but still dehydrated. No fever or chills. Was it the shot or something he ate? He's still not sure.

     Bat's dad had the Pfizer shot, felt fine afterward. He has a theory that only the healthy people get sick.

     April 15th, everyone in Washington over the age of 16 becomes eligible for the Covid vaccination. Joel-E is getting his shot on that day. And my 2nd Pfizer is still scheduled for April 22.

     But what will happen to the kids, I wonder? They're at just as much risk as the rest of us, maybe more- so.

DAY 98: "Reaction Report"

     AJ received his vax through work (standing door security for a variety store near the mall). The store's pharmacy issued the shot Monday night at 8; it was the Johnson & Johnson single-dose edition.

     By Tuesday morning he was groggy, had a huge headache, sore muscles, and chills. "Everything hurt to move." Even standing was difficult.

     The headache worsened the next day, and he was unable to sleep. 

     He missed some work but he feels better now.

     St.Tom knows personally three unrelated people who each got very ill for a few days after their second Moderna shot.

DAY 96: "Phase Variations"

     Some 32 hours after my vaccination yesterday, my arm is still sore but my headache's gone.

     Currently, Washington State is in PHASE 3 of the Governor's Recovery Plan. But this applies only to social gatherings and commercial sites. As far as vaccines go, the State is in PHASE 1B, Tiers 3 & 4. Whoever dreamt up the use of these terms in common was NOT a skilled communicator.

     Beginning April 15, however, Covid vaccines will be available to everyone in Washington above the age of 16. On that date call 1-844-520-8700 to get on the waiting list.

DAY 95: "Vaccination Day, part 1"

     Arrived on time for my first vaccination at UW Medicine's Northwest Hospital location, E-Wing (with limited free parking). No one is admitted earlier than 15 minutes prior to their appointment.

     At Desk #1, I'm asked these questions: Any symptoms? Ever test positive for COVID-19? Is this your first or second shot? Then I go down the hall where I'm told where to stand, since it wasn't clearly marked along the way. 

     In no time I'm called forward to Desk #2: Name? DOB? Is this your first or second shot? Please take a number (mine is 44). I'm also handed a simple form where all my answers are NO, along with a plastic green folder to give to the vaccinator. I find out later that green means Pfizer and red means Moderna. I sit down as they call #38.

     Again in short time my number is called and I hand over my form & folder to Craig who takes me to a cubicle, one of 20 or so. Relax. Have you ever had an anaphylactic reaction to vax or meds? Have you had other Covid vaccines or treatments? No, no and no.

     I learn that Naproxen is ok. The recommendation to avoid Ibuprofen is "old data," so take it if it turns out you need it. Vaccines pooling up in the arm is also just a rumor, it's best to use your non-dominant arm (it will get sore, as mine did 6 hours later).

     I'm given handouts to read when I have time. The jab goes in, the arm stays loose & limp. 

     At worse, flu-like symptoms might develop after a day or two. A lack of side effects does not affect efficacy. A second appointment will be emailed to you, your second dose will be reserved. The facility services 650 people a day, up to 900 tops.

     At Desk 3, now, I'm assigned chair #4 in a makeshift waiting room, six feet apart from anyone else. 15 minutes later I show no signs of anaphylaxis. The gal's accent made it hard to hear the difference between "#2" and "#4."

     Then it's out the back door and into the sunny parking lot.