Words & Banter

Millions Of Vaccines. Thousands Of Questions.


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io


I'm so relieved there's a COVID-19 vaccine. And in record time, no less! But now I have a thousand questions.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io


You and millions of other people. And, probably many of the same questions. However, since neither one of us will be in line to get any of the first vaccinations, you will have plenty of time to get your questions answered.


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io


Yes, I know. It's only fair that healthcare workers and first responders get top priority, along with employees and residents of long-term care facilities, like nursing homes. But how will we know when it's our turn?


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io


Patience, grasshopper. It will be months before either one of us is eligible, which will give them time to figure out the notification system. And, I am guessing each state will have their own system.


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io


Well, that'll be confusing.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io


Maybe for national record keeping, but why would you care about your eligibility in a state other than the one in which you are a resident? It is not like you own multiple homes.


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io


Fine. But knowing what's happening in other places is important. For example, we learned from the UK that people with severe allergies shouldn't take the vaccine. I'd be curious as to how they define "severe" allergies. I doubt it, but does sneezing and watery eyes count as "severe"? Since I have what I think are "normal" allergies, should I take a Claritin or other allergy relief drug in advance of getting the vaccine?


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io


Excellent questions and I am confident all of your questions will be answered. The drug companies will be keeping records as will state and national health organizations. Not to mention, all the hospitals, pharmacies, and doctor's offices that will be vaccinating people. By the time we can get vaccinated, there will be lots of data available.


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io


OK, but I wish there was a place to get all my questions answered. And answered honestly, without political bias or marketing angles.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io


You can always go to the CDC's site. But there are other useful sites out there, and I am sure more will be developed, although some may limit your free visits. I recently joined Medium so I could continue to access Every COVID-19 vaccine question you'll ever have, answered. (Thank you, Bryan Walsh at Axios, for the heads-up on the resource.)


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io


Good to know. Does it mention whether the vaccine's really going to be free for everyone?


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io


I am sure it does, but I have not checked. Please tell me that you are not planning to send your thousands of questions to me.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io


Hello. You still there?


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io


Yes. I just didn't know how to answer your question. Or, at least, not honestly.
Design by Sawyer Pennington, Underlying photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

I have a confession to make, which I’m sure will make you roll your eyes.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

Interesting caveat and probably true.


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

Every time we talk with Jackie (Aguilera) from the Mayor’s Office of Adult Literacy and hear what she’s doing in the world of adult education, I feel like I’m back in school and having to take copious notes.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

I am more than happy to send you “homework assignments” as I come across relevant articles and research.
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Photo by michaelmjc on iStock

Is it a way to meet people, share memories, or help the environment? Or is it about bargain hunting? As we've talked about before, garage sales can be about so much more than just getting rid of things you no longer want



Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

Thanks for the accounting of your garage sale. But, given how many hours you spent preparing for it, and then the actual sale itself, did you calculate how much you “earned” on a $/hour basis?


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

No, all I know is that it seemed to take forever to go through everything in Mom’s house and decide what to keep, what to sell, what to donate. And what to trash. As far as the garage sale, I’ll give you your half the next time I see you.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

Keep my half. You did all the work. I did not even offer to help.


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

And that was a big help. Thank you.
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Design by Sawyer Pennington, Underlying photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Remember summer reruns on TV? Well, this month’s column is a first … it’s a “rerun” of our July 2020 column, except we added the word “CRITICAL” in the title. Because, four years later, we feel it’s very sad (and scary) that our sentiments about our country’s leaders having the strength, courage, and conviction to be independent thinkers are still relevant (maybe even more than before). So, the Fourth of July may be behind us, but Election Day will be here before you know it.



Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io



I keep forgetting to ask you, since Sawyer is away at camp, what did you do for July 4th?



Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io




Well, it was a very different Fourth of July. No kids. No barbeque. No fireworks.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io



I know most of the fireworks were cancelled, but is your barbeque grill broken?


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io




No, this year I decided to declare my "independence" from doing a big holiday grocery shop, major prep work, and cooking outdoors in Texas heat.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io



I wish there were more people willing to declare their independence.



Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io





Somehow I don't think you're talking about me making an easy pasta dish in the comfort of my air-conditioned house vs. standing over a hot barbeque on a hot day.
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