TV NEWS CAUSES ANTI-VAX NEEDLE PHOBIA

In order to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, TV nightly news programs usually show someone getting a bloody shot in the arm. That’s supposed to help, but it makes everything worse if you have needle phobia. Consequently, after seeing such a scene, a person who has a deathly fear of needles will probably be less apt to get the Covid-19 vaccine. TV news causes anti-vax needle phobia.

Did you ever see anyone with a full blown case of needle phobia? I did. The person had scratched his eye and had to have some type of shot in the ER. I don’t remember if it was an antibiotic or tetanus shot. All I know that that when he stood up, he turned quite pale, and then fainted. The nurses caught him before he hit the floor. That person was my future husband. An otherwise robust, healthy individual who held an executive position and maintained his own home

It seems that about 10% of the population is afflicted with this phobia, otherwise known as trypanophobia.

Trypanophobia is the extreme fear of medical procedures involving injections or needles. It tends to be more common in children and may lessen as people grow older and gain more experience having medical procedures and injections involving needles. For some people, however, this fear can remain extreme and upsetting during adulthood.

In my husband’s case, he subsequently developed several medical problems that required injections. After awhile, he outgrew the phobia. And he was first in line the day seniors in our area were offered Covid-19 vaccinations.

Most people don’t have needle phobia, but that doesn’t mean they enjoy getting a shot. I still have to grit my teeth and close my eyes while getting my annual flu shot. Some nurses are better than others when administering injections. Often, you might only feel the tiniest pin prick. Other times, someone jabs you so hard with a needle that it vibrates through your entire system. Yikes.

Consequently , I believe the news media is taking the wrong approach by focusing on a long sharp needle as it punctures upper arm flesh. . Why not depict a person sitting down and calmly extending their arm, while exchanging smiles with a friendly nurse. Then fast forward to someone enjoying a picnic in the park, and saying , “I’m so glad I got vaccinated. It gives me peace of mind knowing that my loved ones won’t catch it from me.”

With so many people still resisting the Covid vaccine, a softer approach might be worth a try. TV news hours showing needle injections cause anti vax needle phobia in vulnerable people.

October 22, 2021October 21, 2021

FLU SHOT PACKS A WALLOP

Most of us didn’t have a flu shot last year, and yet, we didn’t get the flu, either. That was one benefit of the Covid-19 pandemic. No one went out in public, unless they had to. And everyone wore masks. We still are in the midst of a pandemic, but most people we know are vaccinated, and so we’re more relaxed about going places and doing things. All of which has the CDC worried that the plain old flu is going to make a comeback, so they urged us to get a flu shot this year. My husband got his in September, but I put if off until this week. Why? Because the flu shot packs a wallop. It always makes me sick for a day or two.

I had mostly forgotten about the flu shot side effects, and convinced myself it wouldn’t be so bad. Started the day with a swim. Stepped out into the sunlight, and walked along the river. Felt optimistic that my immune system was ready to take on a flu shot. Bravely walked into my favorite CVS store and bared my arm to the dreaded needle. And woke up the next morning with nausea, fatigue, aches and pains that have lasted for two days.

Flu shot packs a wallop. Some get sick for two days afterwards. — FLU SHOT PACK A WALLOP. Some are sick for a couple of days after receiving one.

My husband was proud of me for doing my duty; protecting myself and fellow human beings. He has never experienced a single side effect from a flu shot, and as far as I can remember, , in 33 years of marriage, has never had a case of the flu.

Conversely, I have come down with the flu in spite of getting a flu shot, and gone years without getting the flu, even when I didn’t get a shot. Which brings me to the issue of mandated Covid vaccines. I can totally understand why people don’t want to get vaccinated, if they have strong reactions the way I do. I did have side effects from my second Covid shot, but it was not nearly as bad as how I felt this week.

Why do some people get sick after vaccines and others don’t? I’ve done some research. Women have more reactions than men, because of male and female hormones. Apparently, estrogen promotes a more vigorous immune response than testosterone. , I should appreciate having such a strong reaction. They say it means my body is producing lots of antibodies.

All I know is that– for me– the flu shot packs a wallop. I have to brace myself for a couple of lost sick days after any vaccination.. But it’s my patriotic duty. That’s what I keep telling myself.

September 10, 2021September 10, 2021

IT’S HARD TO LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Our country is entering into another Great Divide : those who will get vaccinated and those who won’t. I wish I could say I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated, but the trouble is, I do. And some of them are people whom I know well. The excuses for not getting the shots run from the sublime to the ridiculous. Some women believe the vaccine will prevent them from getting pregnant. I haven’t seen this in the media, but I’ve heard it with my own ears. There is so much ignorance floating around out there, it’s hard to believe. All I know is, it’s hard to love thy neighbor if he/she hasn’t been vaccinated.

There isn’t a single adverse reaction to the vaccine that wasn’t reported in print, television, radio, and social media.. Let’s face it, news organizations want to hype up their ratings, and the best way to do that is to scare people to death. Fear is a great motivator, and right now it’s working against the best interests of everyone in the United States of America.

It's hard to love thy neighbor if they refuse to get vaccinated — It’s Hard To Love Thy Neighbor if they won’t get vaccinated.

Fox news has published a list of the top fifty counties with the highest number of Covid-19 cases in Indiana.. Only one of them had a vaccination rate of 45%. Many small counties have fewer than 30% of eligible people vaccinated.

I really don’t want to be around people who are jeopardizing the health of their friends and neighbors by not getting vaccinated. If that’s their choice, I think they have an obligation to inform everyone around them. In fact, they ought to wear a sign on their back when they go out in public: “Danger: Not Vaccinated.” That way, we would know to keep our distance.

It’s hard to love thy neighbors if they aren’t vaccinated. With friends like that, who needs enemies?

April 26, 2021April 26, 2021

WEARING YOUR MASK AT HALF MAST

Things are looking up in our city. Covid-19 cases keep going down, and vaccination rate is very high. About 50% of people over 65 have received 2 shots. So naturally, we’re feeling more relaxed when out in public. What I’ve noticed the past couple of weeks is that while most everyone is still wearing their masks, they’re letting them slip down below their nose. Is wearing your mask at half mast OK?

Wearing your mask at half mask feels better but it's not okay. — Now that you’ve been vaccinated, it’s tempting to wear your mask at half mask. But it’s not okay.

I can definitely see the point. Wearing a mask that covers all your breathing apparatus is a sweaty experience. By the time you’ve spent some time at a supermarket, your face is wet when you finally get back to your car. But scientists warn us that it’s no use wearing a mask that doesn’t cover your nose, because you’re still breathing in all the polluted air around you. Also, contrary to common belief, you can still blow polluted air out your nose and infect others if you’re carrying the virus.

Unfortunately, there have been several cases of people coming down with the virus, even though they’re fully vaccinated. I read that a psychologist caught it from one of his patients and died. I suppose that’s possible in a crowded room where you can actually smell the other person’s breath. Same thing if you’re on an airplane where you’ll be in close contact for a long time.

I would feel more comfortable wearing no mask at all as opposed to one under my nose. It wouldn’t look half as silly. But I have the feeling masks are going to be in style long after we’ve reached herd immunity. Especially in the winter months, it would make sense to protect yourself from all the cold and flu viruses floating in the air. But it won’t do any good to wear your mask at half mast.

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021

VACCINE BYPASSES ASSISTED LIVING

In our state, octogenarians were second in line to receiving the covid-19 vaccine. Health care workers and first responders were ahead of us. The first day we were eligible, I got on the internet and made appointments. Only problem was—you had to get there on your own. Which meant that unless you could drive or have a caring relative nearby, you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the offer. And if you’re locked down in an assisted living facility, you’re out of luck, because the vaccine bypasses those seniors. As an example, 86% of assisted living residents in the city of San Diego don’t have a date to receive the vaccine.

Vaccines Bypass Assisted Living. They're old enough to qualify, but can't get out. iving — Vaccines bypass assisted living facilities. They’re in lockdown and can’t leave. But some of them are over 90 and desperately need to be vaccinated.

Spoke with a lady in that situation who is 10 years older than I am.. She’s happy where she is, and is able to interact with the other residents on her floor at meal times. But when I asked when and how she’s getting vaccinated, she said she wasn’t sure. Said they’d been assured that someone would bring the vaccine to them “pretty soon.”

The state now reports the number of cases and deaths at individual nursing homes—but no such information is provided for the adjoining assisted living residence. At this particular facility, there have been numerous active cases and several deaths reported in the nursing home. Seems like the people who vaccinated the nursing home residents could easily have gone next door and finished the job on the octogenarians who can’t leave the facility at this time.

Nothing’s perfect, I guess. At least our state has used some common sense in scheduling appointments. It’s disheartening to see the long lines of folks in other states waiting to get their vaccines. What is wrong with these health departments? Why can’t they schedule appointments in an orderly way? It’s ridiculous to see people sleeping over night in their cars to get vaccines delivered in a first-come-first serve basis. Did the local state health departments not stop to meet and do some planning? It’s no wonder covid-19 cases are rising, and out of control in some states.

Meanwhile, will my nonagenarian friend get vaccinated anytime soon?

January 15, 2021January 15, 2021

KIDS HELP ELDERS GET VACCINE

It was an amazing, long anticipated day– entering the clinic parking lot to finally get the Covid-19 vaccine. But as we pulled in, I noticed a car where a young guy sat behind the wheel. His appearance worried me a bit—partly shaved head, piercings and metal coming out of every orifice. While waiting for my husband to get out of the car, I saw a dark sedan pull up. As an elderly couple opened their door , the young man got out and headed their way. An alarm went off in my head. Was he going to mug them? But no, he held out his arms for them to lean on, and slowly walked them inside. It’s touching to see kids help their elders get the vaccine.

Inside, everything was highly organized and efficient. Since we had preregistered, there was no wait. But after getting vaccinated, we had to wait awhile to make sure we had no reaction. That’s when I could observe the patients coming in. This was the over 80 crowd, and at least half of them were accompanied by what appeared to be a child or grandchild. It’s safe to say that the kids were the ones who had gotten their parents or grandparents signed up.

You couldn’t just walk in to get vaccinated. You had to be in the “eligible” category (over 80) and provide your insurance card. Then, you could register for an appointment either over the phone or online. The phone lines were jammed all day long, so the best way to get an appointment was online. I’m lucky to know my way around the internet. That’s because I had a job that entailed the use of computers. Many octogenarians wouldn’t have the slightest idea. So I’m guessing the metal kid got his grandparents registered online.

kids help elders get vaccine. Hooray for these young caregivers. — Kids help elders get vaccine. It’s heartwarming to see children take care of their parents.

There were sons with fathers on canes or in wheel chairs. And daughters who brought their parents to check in. Love was in the air. Lucky, my husband and I can still navigate on our own. But It was heartwarming to see so many children taking the time to get their parents or grandparents vaccinated. Hooray for family caregivers, and kids who help their elders get the vaccine.

January 13, 2021January 13, 2021

FACING A POST PANDEMIC WORLD

We’re getting our vaccines this week. After the second booster shot, we’ll be good to go. But where? How soon will we get our lives back? If you visited East Germany decades after the end of WWII, you could still see the effects of that devastating event. Shattered windows, bombed buildings. The post war period was a time of hard-sharp and suffering that lasted for years. This covid-19 pandemic has been compared to a world wide war. How can anyone believe that everything will be the same when it’s finally over?

About a month after being vaccinated, we should feel a bit less apprehensive about shopping, socializing, and visiting relatives. But we octogenarians comprise only 4% of the population. Which means that 96% of the people we see every day are still vulnerable. Yes, we can feel safe eating in restaurants and visiting relatives, but we’ll still have to wear masks and social distance.

The stock market is booming. People who kept their jobs now have bulging bank accounts, because they haven’t had anywhere to spend their money. Investors are betting that a huge buying spree is on the horizon. But is it? Will you ever feel the same in a crowded theatre with the sounds of people coughing and sneezing? Remember all those conferences you attended for work? You got to see cities and visit places you’d never been before, and it was all paid for. But do you really want to sit in stuffy conference rooms listening to presentations, while seated next to strangers from all over the world? And what about indoor sporting events? Remember the first cases of Covid in this country came from the gymnasium of a basketball game.

I grew up in the era of the big department stores. Even in our small town, we had a couple of them. You could spend half a day smelling the perfume, trying on clothes, going from department to department just to dream about all the dazzling merchandise. Guess what, most of those stores are gone. Shopping online isn’t half as much fun. And often you have to go to the bother of dealing with returns.

Are we ever going to feel perfectly safe without masks during the flu season? Will we shake hands when introduced to someone? A cougher or a sneezer will not be welcome anywhere. We all know too much about the way viruses are spread.

Millions of people have lost jobs or closed their small businesses. Their lives will never be the same. After climbing out of debt, they’ll have to re invent themselves and start all over again.

Are you ready to face a post pandemic world?