Vaccine Surprise

[ProfessorGAC]

As many of you know, I substitute teach since I retried.
A small district 18-20 miles west needed a science sub for 24 of 29 school days and I did it.
I've also done 3 one day assignments this school year.
Anyway, I get a text asking if I can do math on Feb 15. I say yes.
Then the reply says "Thanks, and since you come here so often, are you interested in getting you vaccine here? We're confirmating the dates right now."
Of course, I said yes. The IDPH website list educators as a priority, but in the list of school workers, conspicuous by its absence, is substitute teachers.
Either subs are considered teachers, or this school just decided to include me.
Either way, I'm getting the vaccine without having to jump through hoops!
I'm psyched!

[LizBeth]

1. I am glad you are getting vac. It really changes ones view of the world after a year of this

I had first shot Sun. Big thumbs up

[In_The_Wind]

2. That is wonderful news!

[Bradshaw3]

3. Got mine yesterday

Run by the county, with Medical Service Corps and National Guard members doing the processing and medical parts. Very efficient, took about seven minutes from walking in the door to getting the shot. Didn't hurt, but arm is sore today and feeling sluggish, both of which were expected. Feeling relieved but won't change any of the precautions I am doing.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Understood

I'm not 65, so phase 1b here in Illinois didn't include me. I thought maybe educational setting mattered, but I found out that the county application doesn't work with Android. And, my tablet is all I have since my laptop power supply went south.
And as I said, subs were not on the list. Perhaps a sub is considered a teacher, but that seems a bold assumption.
This school is in the next county over, so now I only have to figure out my wife's options. But, she's 65 so that might simplify things.
I don't have a date yet, but they'll let me know.
As to precautions, the kids can't get vaccinated (neither vaccine has been approved for under 16) so the schools are not going to relax any rules.
As to stores, I'll still wear a mask all the time, because nobody knows I'm vaccinated, and most others aren't. Just makes sense to continue wearing one.
No problem for me.

[Bradshaw3]

9. I have a friend in education who is elegible at 50

He works for a university but not in a teaching capacity. I think he feels a little bit guilty about getting it before others but I told him that if you can get it, go ahead and do it. He's got two kids.

It's good that you were on the list. You could still get the virus teaching once in a while, even with the precautions schools are taking. I don't have a lot of years left but I don't want to go early because of a pandemic that could have been much better controlled with different leadership.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Definitely True

The minimal number of cases in Illinois schools has been a very good surprise.
While it's true that Chicago schools weren't open for in person learning, the only 3 severe outbreaks in the state were at religious schools that ignored masking. (Yes, stupid)
But, about 20 miles north of me, there's a school district of 40,000 students. They've had 28 cases, in 9 months. That number could easily be infections caused outside school.
The school I'm talking about has had zero, but 1 in the district. (Teacher at the little kids school.). But, the whole district is probably around 250 students.
I don't see schools backing off COVID protocols because of some vaccines. No kids in middle school are getting vaccinated any time soon. Vaccines haven't even been approved for those under 16. So, masking, certifying, cleaning procedures and the like will probably be in place for quite some time.

[rurallib]

21. Was wondering if the 'I' was for Iowa

cause I got teachers in my family in Iowa that haven't heard a thing other than they are on a list.

Good for you.

[MyOwnPeace]

4. Like damned near everything else......

there's SO many opinions as to the order of who should be at the "front of the line."
I don't think anybody argues that the front-line health-care workers/nurses/doctors/anybody in the clinic/hospital settings.
After them, go for those most susceptible - the elderly in large group settings.

OK, now who?

Those in the "public" the most? Police? Government workers reporting to public offices? Teachers (should 'teachers' be ahead of administrators?)? Grocery store workers? Drug store workers? Telephone/cable technicians? Transportation workers (bus drivers, train engineers, pilots, cabin attendants, station/airport custodians?

Of course, ideally the best would be to have SO much supply that they would ALL get them! But since supply is 'limited' - do you send more to the "hot zones" of our country?

I'm glad I don't have to make those decisions or try to defend them! It has to be like being in charge of the life boats on the Titanic.

On a personal note: I was at the dentist last week and dentists are NOT on the top of the list in my area! Really? Is there ANY ONE PERSON that would be closer to another person not wearing a mask?

HEY, here's to ALL DU'ers getting to the front of the line - ASAP!!!!!!

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Dentists? Wow!

They are specifically mentioned on the heath worker list on the Illinois Department of Public Health rules.
What state are you in that didn't prioritize dental folks?
Edit: Administrators in some smaller school districts are in almost as much day to day contact with the kids as the teachers. Principals, secretaries, counselors, aides...
Perhaps in some very large schools, that may not be the case.
But, at the school I'm talking about, that principal comes in to look things over, provide encouragement to the kids, etc.
He comes into my classroom early in the hour, pretty often, because he said "I want to see what fun science thing you're starting the class with."
Geez, I'm teaching the principal, too!

[MyOwnPeace]

8. Pennsylvania..........

- too busy trying to sell Speaker Pelosi's laptop?....

[Iris]

7. I'm so glad to hear this!

[eleny]

10. That's great

I received my first Pfizer shot yesterday morning. Welcome to the club!

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Thanks

I don't have a date yet, but I don't think they'd be asking if they meant sometime in May! At least I hope not.

[rickyhall]

13. I'm 65 but have wait for those over 75 to get theirs.

[JimGinPA]

14. My 83 Year Old Neighbor Got A Call Yesterday & Is Getting Her First Dose Tomorrow

Southern Illinois near St. Louis. I signed up on the County website last week but I saw on their covid briefing yesterday that they're not scheduling the over 65 year old's until they feel they have gotten all those over 75 who are willing to be vaccinated first.


So I'm on a waitlist, but at least I'm on a list.

[mtnsnake]

15. Nice!

Congrats!

[SheltieLover]

16. So happy for you, Professot!

Will they provide 2nd one as well?

Here, they moved prisoners ahead of seniors on priority list.

While they are also high risk, they made life choices that landed them in cells.

Keep us posted, please?

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Yes, It's Both Doses

I don't have a date yet, but they would like to have everyone get both doses before spring break.
If it's in the next couple weeks, that won't be a problem.
I just found that out with a follow-up text about 10 minutes ago.
I didn't see prisoners on the IDPH site. LEO & guards were in Phase 1a, along with conjugate setting seniors & health care workers. I might have missed it, but I read it carefully looking for "64.4 year olds that work part-time in schools". Alas, nothing that specific!

[SheltieLover]

32. Nice!!!

What a relief that will be!

[ProfessorGAC]

36. You Said It!

I'll worry less about bringing something home to my wife.
The schools won't be relaxing COVID protocols, because the vast majority of the kids can't be vaccinated.
Far less likely I would be the cause of my wife getting sick.

[SheltieLover]

38. Right@

[marble falls]

17. Good news!

[aggiesal]

18. I'm a substitute teacher ...

No, I'm a substitute teacher.
I'm substitute teacher.
...

From Sparticus & Life of Brian!

Congratulations

[Wounded Bear]

19. Cool story! Glad you get the opportunity...

did they say anything about the follow-up shot?

[ProfessorGAC]

31. SheltieLover Asked That, Too!

I got a text a bit more than 10 minutes ago that said they'll be scheduling dates for both shots. No specific date yet, though.

[Fla Dem]

20. Lucky you!!!! Glad for you.

[Bobstandard]

22. Now the question is the second dose.

On Thursday it will be 14 days since I got my first Moderna dose. The question now becomes, how do I get the second dose?

I lucked into an appointment or my first shot in Riverside County on the first day that they were offered on-line at the local grocery store pharmacy’s website. I asked the pharmacist at the time how I should proceed in order to get the second dose. He said he had no idea and the chaotic way he got his store’s delivery of the vaccine was so capricious that he had no confidence that there was a reliable system somewhere in the background.

I’ve tried several times a day, every day since—even in the nether hours of the dark-to make a second appointment, but the online appointment system has never let me do it. Heck, it’s been off-line much of the time, probably overwhelmed, but who actually knows why?

So far there have not been any announcements on the county Covid site about mass inoculation sites as far out as 28 days from my first inoculation. I gotta wonder. I’m nervous about it.

[ProfessorGAC]

33. See My Replies - Post 29 & 31

The answer is yes.

[Gothmog]

23. That is great news

[BobTheSubgenius]

24. Good for you!

And you deserve it. It is a special kind of teacher that can do sub work effectively.

And, if you get a chance, can you smuggle out a taste for us?

[ProfessorGAC]

41. Wish I Could

I even know a biochem guy at Pfizer, but I'm quite certain he can't help either!

[panader0]

25. That's a great surprise.

What grade and type of math?

[ProfessorGAC]

34. I Sub Grades 6-12

I do science & math, almost exclusively.
I live in a spot that gives me short drive access to 15 districts in 2 counties. One county has 700,000 people, the other about 50k.
So, lots of schools. That way I don't do little kids and I can just focus in areas where I can be the most help.
I'm a retired scientist with a 2nd advanced degree in stats. I've done everything from 6th grade (division using decimals) to calculus.
On the science side, basic middle school stuff to HS chemistry, physics & bio.
I start every class with some "fun with everyday science". For instance, a simplified physical chemistry explanation on why shampoo works. Or math tricks, like the Gauss summation or squaring numbers where all the digits are ones.
My wife was an in-class social worker for special ed for 30 years.
She encouraged this. She thought I'd like it and be good at it. I won't presume to judge the latter, but she was right about me enjoying it.
Come golf season, it's a rainy day activity. But, in the winter I'm much more available. I've been doing this 2 years in early February, and I'm pushing 150 days!

[panader0]

37. Excellent. You sound like a very smart guy. (Looking up the Gauss summation)

Did you teach before retirement? I seem to recall a music background, something I'm more
familiar with.

[ProfessorGAC]

39. No

I was a PhD physical chemist, with an MS in Applied Math & and MBA. (Yeah, I spent a lot of time in school. But, only the 3 years it took to get my BS was full time. I did have the advantage of working in R&D, so my "work work" was the same as my "school work" & dissertation. The other 2 degrees are different stories. Good stories, but involved.)
I developed a couple of high profit products, which is why I could retire 3 or 4 years early.
Then, I spent 15 years as a "fixer" (staff of 6). So, I traveled the world making problems go away at our sites, customers' issues and our suppliers. (An advantage with the kids, because they haven't met many people who've been to 36 countries outside the US.)
I taught organic chemistry for a few terms at a university in Chicago, and econometric analysis a couple terms elsewhere. But, that wasn't full time.
The music thing was playing in bands as a nicely paid hobby, but I have formal training in piano. That carried over when I taught myself guitar. Played something over 2,000 gigs over 36 years.
That's why you probably recall the musical background.

[panader0]

40. Respect

[liberalla]

26. Wa hoo! That is a nice a surprise!

[Ms. Toad]

27. Glad for you -

but also resentful at the policy in Ohio of bribing school districts to open by prioritizing vaccinations for employees of any school district that agrees to have at least some classes in person.

That means that even though I have cancer and diabetes - and have a previous cancer (currently NED), because I am 64 the soonest I will have access to the vaccine is AFTER all the school personnel who aren't 65 or older - and who have no conditions that make COVID 19 more deadly - get vaccinated. The earliest date I will have access to the vaccine is late February - and then only if DeWine doesn't find someone other class of people to shove ahead of me.

(If I drive over the state line into PA - and use a fake PA address - I'm eligible today. I don't know if they care which state I live in - but I may push the envelope to find out.

[DeminPennswoods]

30. If your county borders

Beaver county in PA, there's a waiting list here. I'm registered, but no date yet. They must be going by age because a relative who is older than me but registered after I did is scheduled for later this week.

[Ms. Toad]

50. I'd have to cross a couple of counties to get to PA

But - in theory - I'm eligible not based on age but on 2 cancers + diabetes. Except that I have an Ohio address . . .

[ProfessorGAC]

35. I Get You!

The vast majority of districts in Illinois have been open the whole time. Certainly since October.
So, that wasn't the case here.
Chicago is just now opening, to considerable angst. But, that's a giant district with some pretty crowded schools, so I get the resistance.
Where I live, the big districts have 8,000 students K-12. There's a city of 160,000 fairly close to the north, but I've never registered there, as I stay about as busy as I'm willing to be.

[mgardener]

28. You deserve it!!

My husband got his yesterday, I go on Thurs.
His second appt date arrived by email today, less then 24 hours after his shot!!
I am psyched!!

[kimbutgar]

42. I haven't worked as a substitute teacher since the pandemic

but my other job is as a senior move manager, one of the senior places I move in seniors frequently has offered me the access to vaccine a few times. I have declined because I feel there are other people more deserving. But if it gets me back to subbing I might take the vaccine.

[ProfessorGAC]

43. I Subbed On March 13

That was the last day before they closed the school.
I was on a jury for 3&1/2 days that week, and the school that wanted my for JrHi math the week where March ran into April called last minute. (It's an 8 minute highway drive).
While there, I'm hearing buzz about a teachers' meeting after school. Hmmmm! On a Friday?
Then just before final bell, they announced to the kids they should take their school iPads home. Hmmm! Again!
I got home just in time to see governor's press conference about closing the schools, restaurants, and bars.
So much for that week of math!
Small schools around here don't pay much for subs, and they have a tough time finding folks who can, or want to, sub math & science.
So, I was a convenient fit, as I don't need the money, and science & math are pretty much all I want to do!
I decided to risk it, because I felt it an important way to help out.

[kimbutgar]

44. Early March 2020 was my last day I subbed

It was my husbands birthday on March 13th and we went to Disneyland on March 11, 12th and 13th we were in Disneyland the last day it was opened!

I miss the kids but don’t want to take chances of getting sick. I had a really bad flu in January that I know I got from subbing and gave it to my husband!

[ProfessorGAC]

46. Same Here, Christmas B4 Last

Bronchitis that laid me out 3 full days.
At that very small school (105 students) 23 kids, 4 teachers, an aide, the secretary (a super sweetheart) and a food service lady all got respiratory illnesses in a 9 day period!
The sweetheart got pneumonia that ruined her Christmas.
Whatever it was, it sure was aggressive.

[kimbutgar]

47. It could have been an early strain of Covid 19

I was weak, no appetite and had a really dry cough. Never have I ever been that sick.

[ProfessorGAC]

49. Not Impossible

But, I was in a tiny district at the fringes of Chicagoland. Not sure how the virus would have made it to this small town 2 months before we heard about the first US case.
So, while it's possible in my case, I think it unlikely. More likely a coincidence. But, it sure was a lot of people getting the same illness in a big hurry.

[jimlup]

45. Congrats! I'm in the queue too and can't get a vaccine

... was approved to "schedule" and then suddenly my county ran out of vaccine and no slots are in sight in the foreseeable future.

I'm annoyed and further annoyed that my school is insisting on returning to in person class well before I'm likely to have a shot in my arm.

[kskiska]

48. Good for you.

I had my first Pfizer shot on Friday and had no after-effects at all. I'm 76. I do feel a psychic "lift," though, just knowing I may soon be immune after my next shot.

[h2ebits]

51. I'm scheduled. . . .

first dose Saturday, January 30 and second dose February 20

[ProfessorGAC]

52. No Date Yet, But...

...I got a text today.
I'm already booked to go there and sub math on 2/15.
The text said the first shot would be before that, so keep my eye on texts so I don't accept a gig elsewhere on Tue actual day. So, sometime in the next 15 days, because 2/15 is a Monday.

[h2ebits]

57. Good!

I'm in Colorado and we're scheduling 70+ for vaccine shots right now. Major drive up this weekend--by appointment only--estimate attendance is, I believe, 5,000 at my site.

[LaMouffette]

53. Congratulations! I can't believe they did not include subs in the list of school workers!

And thank you for continuing to teach in spite of the pandemic! You are a hero, too!

[ProfessorGAC]

55. My Wife Had A Thought On That

She thinks maybe the list didn't distinguish between certified teachers and subs.
Perhaps "teachers" was meant to also mean subs.
That makes sense to me.
I think I mentally distinguish from me the sub, from the actual teachers.
Could be I was compartmentalizing where it wasn't needed?

[LaMouffette]

56. Either way, you are absolutely an integral part of the school system.

Schools could not function without substitute teachers. I'm so happy for you that you got your shot!

[ProfessorGAC]

58. Well, Not Yet.

But in 15 days or less.

[MLAA]

54. You earned it!