Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update February 6 - A Day We've Been Waiting For

Our appointments for the first COVID vaccinations were at 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. yesterday, at the Sammons Community Center. This effort is being carried out by the Bell County Public Health District, and is staffed by city, county and health district staff as well as a wonderful team of volunteers. We showed up about 30 minutes early, not knowing how long it might take or what to expect. 

We were surprised and pleased at how smoothly everything went. We were met outside by a fire fighter, who found our names on the appointment list and checked them off. Then we were admitted to the building. Inside we were directed to a station where our names were, once again, confirmed and a few questions asked. From there we were led into a large room, with several stations staffed by healthcare workers. Within a minute or two we were each directed to one of those stations, where the vaccinations were administered. We received the Pfizer vaccine. The nurse who gave me my shot went online, with her phone, and scheduled an appointment for Dan and me to get our second injections. We were asked to stay in the building for 15 minutes, just to make sure there was no bad reaction to the vaccine. 

The whole process was well organized and efficient. As we left the building, we checked the time and found that we were actually leaving a couple minutes before our actual appointment time (because we came a bit early). 

According to the local newspaper, Bell County's two first-dose vaccination centers have administered 14.010 first doses through their 17 days in service. During the first two days of second-dose administration, Bell County has administered 1,466 second doses. The second doses are being given at the Bell County Expo Center and are conducted as a drive-through procedure.

Our appointment for our second doses is March 2, at 2:30 p.m.

It will take awhile for the first dose to "kick in." The nurse told me that at about the time we are due for the second dose, the first dose should be about 50% effective. Two weeks after the second dose they estimate a 95% effectiveness rate.

I am thankful to God and grateful to the hard-working health-care workers and volunteers for this gift of hope for returning to a more normal way of life. 

As we left the building, we got stretchy bracelets reading "I GOT THE COVID VACCINE" on the outside, and "BELL COUNTY PUBLIC HEATH DISTRICT" on the inside.

It's A COVID Birthday!!!

Yesterday was my birthday! It was #72, which was validated by Chris, Kelsey and the kids when they sent me an early morning, on-line Amazon birthday greeting and gift-card in the amount of ... you guessed it ... $72. 

Sitting by my breakfast plate - the breakfast having been cooked by Dan - was a sweet card from him.

Not long after that, the doorbell rang, and it was our special friends, George and Twilla. Twilla was not feeling well, so stayed in the car. George, however, stood at our door with his face-mask on, and handed me a red velvet cake and a gift bag. Inside the bag was a very cute apron, hand sewn by Twilla. 

In the afternoon Amazon delivered a cool gift to me, compliments of our good friends, Kay and Andy. It was a murder mystery game. I can't wait to play it. Solving mysteries and puzzles is one of my favorite things. But I am going to wait until we are able to get together with Kay and Andy, so we can play it together. 

I also got several birthday cards in the mail and a few birthday text messages, including one from my granddaughter, Clara! And speaking of grandkids ... I also received this greeting from grandson, Robert. It put the biggest smile on my face!

For dinner, Dan suggested we do a curbside pick-up meal from Olive Garden. Yum! It was really delicious, and made a perfect end to my birthday. So, despite isolation, it was a delightful day. My hope is that we can celebrate once again, maybe on March 28 instead of January 28, in the company of a few friends. With the COVID vaccines becoming more widely available, that might be a good date to shoot for.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update January 26 - GOOD NEWS

Bell County has approved COVID vaccinations to people in the 1-B category (those over 65 and those with qualifying chronic medical conditions). Dan and I are both over 65, which puts us in this 1-B category. 

Baylor Scott and White (our medical provider) says they will contact qualifying patients as the vaccine becomes available. So far, no call from them. Bell County Public Health has a website where 1-B folks can sign up for appointments, as the vaccine is available. I was constantly checking that site, and found it nearly impossible to snatch an appointment. Sometimes I would see an opening, but by the time I had filled in the registration form, the appointment was gone. FINALLY, one night about 10 days ago, I thought I'd give it one more look before bed, and I found a small batch of openings. I quickly signed both Dan and I up for February 1 appointments. Later we received a confirming email, saying they were moving us to February 5. I'm perfectly fine with that! So thankful to be on their list! It's like a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. 

We will still have to be diligent to get the appointment for our second dose, which should be administered about 28 days later. They say, though, that it's okay if you have to push that second vaccination farther out.

I'm not sure we'll know how to behave once we have gotten both doses of the vaccine. We are so used to isolating that it may feel "wrong" to be out in public once again. 

Snowfall in Central Texas

A winter storm was predicted for our area, for Sunday, but I said, "I'll believe it when I see it." Well, I saw it, and it was beautiful. It snowed nearly all day yesterday, and we had several inches of the white, fluffy stuff by late afternoon.

This morning the sky is blue and the sun is shining, but it is only 30 degrees, so the snow is still blanketing the ground. Snow is a treat for this part of the state. Schools are closed, as are some major roads, including sections of I-35. I'm glad I don't need to go anywhere, and can just stay home and enjoy the wintery scenery.