CDC Notifies States, Large Cities To Prepare For Vaccine Distribution As Soon As Late October

[mom2rtk]

These are the same ones going on and one about personal responsibility and then having inadequate funds when this went down. They want the economy to reopen because they were financially irresponsible. They don’t care if someone’s grandma or grandpa has to die because they couldn’t save money.

You think you have it all figured out, don’t you? It’s certainly easier to assume the worst about people than to have to deal with all the messy details about why the financial strain of all this is a heavier burden for some than for others.

 

[RamblingMad]

You think you have it all figured out, don’t you? It’s certainly easier to assume the worst about people than to have to deal with all the messy details about why the financial strain of all this is a heavier burden for some than for others.

I don't want my parents dead.

If COVID has taught me anything, it's that people are far worse than I ever imagined.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't want my parents dead.

If COVID has taught me anything, it's that people are far worse than I ever imagined.

It’s not that black and white. How do you feel about skyrocketing suicide rates?

 

[Colleen27]

These are the same ones going on and one about personal responsibility and then having inadequate funds when this went down. They want the economy to reopen because they were financially irresponsible. They don’t care if someone’s grandma or grandpa has to die because they couldn’t save money.

I haven't seen that at all. Around me, there seem to be two types of people that were crying about restrictions right from the start: those who have the luxury of picking and choosing their risky activities, either because they're retired or able to work from home, who resented that they couldn't demand low-wage workers risk themselves for others' pleasure and those for whom any collective action is inherently bad (usually "socialist" or "communist") and who would lash out about government restrictions even if those restrictions were something like "everyone has to eat a free steak dinner once a week". The most cash-strapped workers and small business owners I know were solidly middle of the road as far as covid restrictions; they wanted strict mask mandates to avert total closures and alternatives like curbside pickup, takeout that can include cocktails, and other creative regulatory changes that would allow for staying open in lower-risk ways. Because they understood that the "freedom!" crowd was trying to take us down a path that would erode customer confidence in the ability to shop/dine safely at best and lead to harsh lockdowns if/when the virus got out of control at worst.

 

[dvcgirl67]

Yeah, but having had fairly tight restrictions this long, it feels sort of stupid to give up now. Like all of the businesses that have shuttered forever and all of the other economic and mental health fallout was for absolutely nothing because at this moment we're doing exactly what we could have done last year - let cases rage out of control with no new restrictions - without all of those losses. A year ago, I'd have been the first to argue for a more moderate course (and was arguing that, loudly) in keeping with the initial goal of keeping hospital systems from being overwhelmed rather than the later goals of near-total containment and keeping the number of cases within the ability of unfunded contact tracing efforts to contain, but tossing up our hands and giving up now feels like adding insult to the injury of everything lost over the last year. I can't imagine what it must be like right now for someone who lost their business over 15 cases per 100K to hear the governor say she's not considering any new restrictions now in response to 50 cases per 100K.

I think the same....we've come this far, at least for the states that had some measure of restrictions in place, why not hold out another couple of months until we have more vaccines under our belt? But we're in same place in NJ....opening up more. I don't anticipate a lifting of our mask mandate or anything like that, but we're moving in the direction of opening rather than stalling for a bit.

I do think we're going to be living with Covid for the foreseeable future. It's not just how quickly we flatten our curve with vaccines, but I just look around the world and see lots of problems...big ones. Seeing how the virus is currently out of control in a place like Brazil that was once considered a model for developing countries is very concerning. If we start to see an increase in re-infections, which are apparently already happening there....what if we see vaccine escape? That's the biggest..."oh......blank" thought in my mind.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

A local news article was talking about how both my state and the one next to me are now gearing up for broader more vocal campaigns aimed at getting those who are hesitant about the vaccine now that gen pop are becoming eligible.

But one thing I can't believe I didn't think about before is that while I have totally understood the concerns over what personal information is collected (something my state's health department acknowledged and worried about themselves) the county above me that has a higher minority population mentioned that one of the issues they encountered with covid testing they are now encountering with vaccinations: "Patients worry about what kinds of personal information, such as immigration status, will be gathered if they get vaccinated. For some of our community members that is a very big concern, that we make sure to let them know that the information is only for our use and statistics use and the information will not be given out about any particular person,” I don't know why that didn't dawn on me to think about that even while I was thinking about all sorts of other things.

The state next to me found in focus groups: "found that for Black and Hispanic adults, distrust around COVID-19 vaccines is “deeply embedded in structural inequities in government institutions and a result of a long and continuing history of racism in health care,” which is something we have talked about before.

In any case the article did discuss rural aspects which got most of the priority in the beginning now slowing down in interest level but it also discussed how people can naturally convert to wanting a vaccine as they see more people get it. At least for my state they are really hoping opening up for doctor's offices will encourage more to get it. My mom was telling me the other day she's seen a few of her friends and acquaintances say they want to wait to get it at their doctor's office and they don't want to go to some big event to get it done.

 

[Colleen27]

But one thing I can't believe I didn't think about before is that while I have totally understood the concerns over what personal information is collected (something my state's health department acknowledged and worried about themselves) the county above me that has a higher minority population mentioned that one of the issues they encountered with covid testing they are now encountering with vaccinations: "Patients worry about what kinds of personal information, such as immigration status, will be gathered if they get vaccinated. For some of our community members that is a very big concern, that we make sure to let them know that the information is only for our use and statistics use and the information will not be given out about any particular person,” I don't know why that didn't dawn on me to think about that even while I was thinking about all sorts of other things.

In my area, there have been rumors that vaccination appointments were going to be used as round-up points for those with outstanding warrants, so it isn't just undocumented residents that are likely worrying about things like this. Our state is notorious for criminalizing poverty - driving privileges are suspended indefinitely for any type of unpaid fine (not just driving or even auto-related expenses; if you get a blight ticket for a broken window or a ticket for letting a pet license lapse, your drivers license will be suspended for as long as the fine is unpaid), which leads to a lot of people driving unlicensed and risking arrest/warrants over relatively stupid things that they couldn't pay - so that concern is likely to deter a fairly significant minority of our poor residents both in rural and in urban areas. I hope that we'll soon see outreach debunking these fears, but I wonder if there will be a credibility issue in the eyes of those effected if it is the state or county providing the assurances.

 

[RamblingMad]

It’s not that black and white. How do you feel about skyrocketing suicide rates?

This was happening before the pandemic.

https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/index.html

 

[godisney14]

It’s not that black and white. How do you feel about skyrocketing suicide rates?

Not saying that mental health is not an issue, nor ignoring the fact. But, it’s not “skyrocketing” as some, including some media headlines, say it to be.

No significant change among pediatrics that is known to be as a result of the virus and pandemic restrictions.
https://www.mdedge.com/pediatrics/a...h-suicide-do-numbers-match-headlines?sso=true

Mental health and suicidal thoughts aren’t just from isolation as some purport. It is also a symptom from being afraid of becoming infected and worries about others.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7764387/#!po=1.08696

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

In my area, there have been rumors that vaccination appointments were going to be used as round-up points for those with outstanding warrants, so it isn't just undocumented residents that are likely worrying about things like this. Our state is notorious for criminalizing poverty - driving privileges are suspended indefinitely for any type of unpaid fine (not just driving or even auto-related expenses; if you get a blight ticket for a broken window or a ticket for letting a pet license lapse, your drivers license will be suspended for as long as the fine is unpaid), which leads to a lot of people driving unlicensed and risking arrest/warrants over relatively stupid things that they couldn't pay - so that concern is likely to deter a fairly significant minority of our poor residents both in rural and in urban areas. I hope that we'll soon see outreach debunking these fears, but I wonder if there will be a credibility issue in the eyes of those effected if it is the state or county providing the assurances.

Well I guess that is one way to get people in if that ends up happening in your area, sorta akin to paying people I guess just a different currency. ETA: sorry @Colleen27 read that wrong initially, was getting close to a nap and didn't read it as closely as I should have . That is not a good thing, I think I had initially read it like it was an amnesty thing but nope that is not at all what you were saying. A vaccine shouldn't be used in that type of leverage, not at all, especially when you would have the opposite effect of those just trying to duck and hide more instead of show willingness to get the vaccine.

As for the rest of your comment I do remember a Last Week Tonight with John Oliver episode(s) covering that sort of thing. It is def. something places use like for failure to pay child support and other such things. I can get the concern but I hope like you do that they can work on reducing that anxiety towards that but I can understand too your point about credibility; who is delivering the message can certainly matter.

 

[dvcgirl67]

In my area, there have been rumors that vaccination appointments were going to be used as round-up points for those with outstanding warrants, so it isn't just undocumented residents that are likely worrying about things like this. Our state is notorious for criminalizing poverty - driving privileges are suspended indefinitely for any type of unpaid fine (not just driving or even auto-related expenses; if you get a blight ticket for a broken window or a ticket for letting a pet license lapse, your drivers license will be suspended for as long as the fine is unpaid), which leads to a lot of people driving unlicensed and risking arrest/warrants over relatively stupid things that they couldn't pay - so that concern is likely to deter a fairly significant minority of our poor residents both in rural and in urban areas. I hope that we'll soon see outreach debunking these fears, but I wonder if there will be a credibility issue in the eyes of those effected if it is the state or county providing the assurances.

Great...just the kind of thing we don't need. People fearful to get vaccinated because they fear it's a trap.

 

[wenrob]

A local news article was talking about how both my state and the one next to me are now gearing up for broader more vocal campaigns aimed at getting those who are hesitant about the vaccine now that gen pop are becoming eligible.

But one thing I can't believe I didn't think about before is that while I have totally understood the concerns over what personal information is collected (something my state's health department acknowledged and worried about themselves) the county above me that has a higher minority population mentioned that one of the issues they encountered with covid testing they are now encountering with vaccinations: "Patients worry about what kinds of personal information, such as immigration status, will be gathered if they get vaccinated. For some of our community members that is a very big concern, that we make sure to let them know that the information is only for our use and statistics use and the information will not be given out about any particular person,” I don't know why that didn't dawn on me to think about that even while I was thinking about all sorts of other things.

The state next to me found in focus groups: "found that for Black and Hispanic adults, distrust around COVID-19 vaccines is “deeply embedded in structural inequities in government institutions and a result of a long and continuing history of racism in health care,” which is something we have talked about before.

In any case the article did discuss rural aspects which got most of the priority in the beginning now slowing down in interest level but it also discussed how people can naturally convert to wanting a vaccine as they see more people get it. At least for my state they are really hoping opening up for doctor's offices will encourage more to get it. My mom was telling me the other day she's seen a few of her friends and acquaintances say they want to wait to get it at their doctor's office and they don't want to go to some big event to get it done.

Huh. I had to bring my ID but it was just to confirm the appointment, she barely looked at it. When I filled out the paperwork etc. you didn’t list social security or DL number. I was really surprised that there was nowhere for an emergency contact. The only reason they have my personal info is because I went to Walgreens and they ask for your insurance if you have it. I was already in their system. Whether that info is linked to any kind a vaccine database I couldn’t say but my impression was that it isn’t. My DD’s friends all went to a mass vaccine sites and they just showed their ID. They were supposed to bring check stubs but weren’t asked for them. I have given out more info signing up for a rewards card than I did to get the vaccine. I feel like I could be one of 100s of “Wens” listed as having got it. I could be way off base but it felt like they didn’t care who I was or my reason for being there.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Huh. I had to bring my ID but it was just to confirm the appointment, she barely looked at it. When I filled out the paperwork etc. you didn’t list social security or DL number. I was really surprised that there was nowhere for an emergency contact. The only reason they have my personal info is because I went to Walgreens and they ask for your insurance if you have it. I was already in their system. Whether that info is linked to any kind a vaccine database I couldn’t say but my impression was that it isn’t. My DD’s friends all went to a mass vaccine sites and they just showed their ID. They were supposed to bring check stubs but weren’t asked for them. I have given out more info signing up for a rewards card than I did to get the vaccine. I feel like I could be one of 100s of “Wens” listed as having got it. I could be way off base but it felt like they didn’t care who I was or my reason for being there.

For a covid test through at least the free program my state launched (which means not every covid testing site is operating this way if they aren't part of the state's free one) no ID is technically required to make an appointment and we didn't have to show one but you did have to input your information like name and date of birth and that information was contained within a QR code they used. But that free testing was launched in late fall so it wasn't always around.

For our covid vaccines the place we got it done sent a pre-registration link to fill out though that due to a glitch was only sent to me and that did ask for my SSN but TBH I can't remember if the computer advised it was a required field or not. I input mine and then input emergency contact info. My husband didn't get the link to pre-register so he had to hand fill it out at the appointment and they gave him a choice if he wanted to or not for his SSN; he went ahead and input it in but it didn't ask for emergency contact info. But in order to make the appointment your name, your address, your date of birth and e-mail address were required to make the appointment including the 2nd dose. If you have insurance you give that information to them as well. They can ask for employment verification but I think that is seldom used (it was used early on in my area when a psychiatrist was caught sending his patients to get vaccines when they weren't eligible but by in large most of this stuff is honor system). My husband did bring a letter from his company but they didn't ask for it. For medical conditions they cannot ask for proof.

None of the people there at our appointments cared either everyone is just happy you're getting it so just like your experience they didn't seem to care either who I was personally but I do understand how someone may feel about what information is being collected and where it will be visible. I got the impression it wasn't who was administering the vaccine that the article was talking about in respects to people concerned for but rather who would have access to that information and how officials in that area needed to alleviate those fears.

 

[KingAugie]

I don't want my parents dead.

If COVID has taught me anything, it's that people are far worse than I ever imagined.

So tell them to take the proper precautions to protect themselves. If they live in an area that is opening things up tell them to stay home and avoid going out. People have been doing that for a year because they are being responsible for themselves. Your parents have that same choice right now. Nothing has changed for them.

 

[dvcgirl67]

So tell them to take the proper precautions to protect themselves. If they live in an area that is opening things up tell them to stay home and avoid going out. People have been doing that for a year because they are being responsible for themselves. Your parents have that same choice right now. Nothing has changed for them.

Like mom2rtk said earlier, it's not really a black and white kind of thing. People are harmed on every side of this thing in some way or another. I was listening to Clark Howard's podcast last week and he mentioned that there are approximately 30% of Americans who are not fully participating in societal/economic activities to the fullest extent. It's hard for people in certain parts of the country to understand that, but where I live in NJ, everywhere you go indoors....people are wearing masks. Restaurants are only allowed 50% capacity....theaters less than that....etc. I know people who have taken vacations in the southern states and they come back and report in like they've visited another planet. It's still far from normal in many parts of the country.

The genie has been out of the Covid bottle for far too long for there to be a switch flipped and have everyone just jump back in the pool like it was 2019. Even vaccinated individuals are going to wade back in to that pool in many instances. Hopefully we'll get enough of the world vaccinated before a variant escapes the vaccines we do have.

But as it's been pointed out, for many people, Americans included....if they don't go to work, they don't eat. Before Covid 70% of Americans reported that a $400 emergency was all that they could handle before considering themselves in financial peril. In Brazil where the virus is raging out of control and their healthcare system is collapsing, a full 40% of the citizens live in poverty and are day wage earners....not paycheck to paycheck, literally day to day. I read that in Argentina, where they are also seeing a big spike in infections that they have decided against fully vaccinating citizens (all three vaccines they have are two shot regimens)....trying to quickly get one shot in as many arms as possible to avert their health care system from collapsing.

 

[RamblingMad]

The genie has been out of the Covid bottle for far too long for there to be a switch flipped and have everyone just jump back in the pool like it was 2019. Even vaccinated individuals are going to wade back in to that pool in many instances. Hopefully we'll get enough of the world vaccinated before a variant escapes the vaccines we do have.

This has already happened. The current vaccines offer limited protection against the South African variant. We'll need a booster for it in the future.

 

[mrs. magoo]

So I have closely watched Israel's numbers and their numbers have dropped below 1000 for the past week. This gives me hope that vaccinations are working. And for all the talk about the South African variant their numbers have dropped as well. I have hope that things will be ok and I will be going on vacation this summer.

 

[helloconnie]

In my area, there have been rumors that vaccination appointments were going to be used as round-up points for those with outstanding warrants, so it isn't just undocumented residents that are likely worrying about things like this. Our state is notorious for criminalizing poverty - driving privileges are suspended indefinitely for any type of unpaid fine (not just driving or even auto-related expenses; if you get a blight ticket for a broken window or a ticket for letting a pet license lapse, your drivers license will be suspended for as long as the fine is unpaid), which leads to a lot of people driving unlicensed and risking arrest/warrants over relatively stupid things that they couldn't pay - so that concern is likely to deter a fairly significant minority of our poor residents both in rural and in urban areas. I hope that we'll soon see outreach debunking these fears, but I wonder if there will be a credibility issue in the eyes of those effected if it is the state or county providing the assurances.

I think this is rumor and being used to induce fear and as an excuse not to get the vaccine. This effort is vital to the well being of all Americans and to people getting back to work and the economy getting back on its feet. I can't see where any government: federal, state or local would do anything to jeopardize the effort. It is in there best interest to get everyone vaccinated. The vaccination centers at grocery stores and pharmacies are definitely not doing this. Doctor's offices and Health Organizations aren't doing this and I know for a fact that mass vaccination centers are not doing this.

I have had my first shot at a mass vaccination center and I will tell you that nothing like this was taking place. The effort was actually well run and very easy. We made our appointment on line and the only information we had to provide was our name, address and date of birth. We had to answer a question to make sure we were eligible get the shot according to our state guidelines. We also had to answer a few questions around our health like have you been in ill in the last 14 days, have you had Covid, are you allergic to any vaccines, etc. Most mass vaccination efforts are drive up. The one we went to happened to be in a Convention Center. When our appointment date arrived, we were let into the facility 5 minutes before our appointment, entered a short line where we were handed a clipboard with a short questionnaire asking us if we had any allergies to vaccinations, etc. Once we were at the front of the line, we went to the next available person sitting at a long table. He checked us is to make sure we had an appointment, filled out our vaccination card, and scheduled our second dose appointment, Then we went into the vaccination room where there were about 100 people at tables ready to administer the vaccine. We took the first available chairs, the RN took our vaccination card, administered the shot, gave instructions on what to do if we had any soreness, then handed back our card with the vaccine information recorded on it, along with a sticker to wear saying we got the shot. It took maybe 2 minutes. Then we moved into another room where everyone who had the shot had to sit for 15 minutes to ensure they did not have an allergic reaction to the vaccine, then we were free to leave. Everyone there was a volunteer and most were retired persons. I only saw one police officer and she was at the entrance to the Convention Center to watch the line and entry process. The entire process took about 25 minutes. Easy peasy!

 

[helloconnie]

Interesting article about the effort underway to develop an app as a digital vaccination certificate. Industries such as cruise line, sports arenas, etc. are stating they will require a vaccination certificate (aka Vaccination Passport). If this gets things opened up quicker so we can travel, I am all for it!

‘Vaccine passports’ are on the way, but developing them won’t be easy (msn.com)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I read that in Argentina, where they are also seeing a big spike in infections that they have decided against fully vaccinating citizens (all three vaccines they have are two shot regimens)....trying to quickly get one shot in as many arms as possible to avert their health care system from collapsing.

I read it was more related to concerns of variants taking hold. That's also why they according to the article I was reading: "Argentina is canceling all direct flights with Brazil, Chile and Mexico starting on Saturday. It had already blocked flights from Britain and Ireland, and recently required international travelers to take a mandatory coronavirus test on arrival and to quarantine in a hotel if the result came back positive."

Variants can lead to health care systems burden but I didn't read it as they were preventing the system from collapsing by delaying 2nd doses but rather to provide a base level of protection (they hope) to reduce possibility of variants taking hold especially because of countries near them and spreading.

Maybe different news articles are saying it differently.