RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - More and more people can now get their much-wanted Covid shots. 

My first, was through Kaiser at Sierra College, and was a breeze. It was Moderna. There was no soreness and I really did not even feel it and went home. The next day was fine.  No soreness or ill feeling. Now, I wait the 3 weeks. I was kinda afraid to get the 2nd shot as I heard others had “gotten so sick”, or "my arm felt so sore" I really wondered if I should. I decided already 1/2 way done, let’s go. This time I felt it, but still just a bee sting. Once you get your shot, you must sit in a chair for about 15 min to be sure you don’t have a reaction.

While I was there, I wanted to get someone else’s feelings on getting the shot. I had already gone to a man who looked in charge, and mentioned I would like to have my picture taken as I get the 2nd shot, and maybe interview a few of those also in line for their shots.  

He puffed up and said, “Oh no, no, no!” Your request must go up the “chain of command” and that cannot be done today, so no, sorry.” I said, “but what about just someone taking MY picture as I get the 2nd shot?” No sorry. You must treat this area as if it was a hospital area, PRIVATE. No pictures of anyone or anything.” Humhh. He did watch me through the whole process, like I would sneak in a pic or interview, even though I was wondering how I could.

I was sitting in my 15-min timeout, mandatory after shot wait. I thought, he doesn’t run outside the gym. I started looking for interviews once I was out of wait time.  I saw this cute young healthy-looking couple with a baby in the stroller. He got his, she stayed with the baby, then he watched the baby and she got her shot. I decided-them. 

My time was up, I left the gym and waited by the parking area. I was thinking of a way to not seem weird while walking up to them.  No need.  I explained, I write articles and would they mind talking to me about the shots they just received? 

“Sure.”

We moved into the shade. I then met Marc and Karly Powers and their sweet baby girl, Kennedy who is 5 months old. They too were getting their second covid shots. Karly was really looking forward to the “Freedom” she wanted to feel. Kennedy had yet to meet many of her many family relatives, due to not wanting to even take a little risk of a chance on either side, to be infected. Kennedy is sure going to have a story when she grows up, my being pregnant during and delivering during this serious stage of our lives. She did say that Marc was allowed in on the delivery. I had heard in the very early stages of this pandemic that a husband was not even allowed at the birth. Seems so cruel, but everyone was living on hearsay. I took their phone number and asked if I could call them in a few days to see if the 2nd shot affected them.

I was so sick the next day. Fever, achy all over, tired and it really felt like I had the flu. I slept most of the next day. Then I woke up and I was normal. Fever was gone, felt really awake and got on the phone to the Powers to see how they did. I got Karly on and she said, “Yeah, this time they both had headaches, she had the chills for several hours and could not get warm enough. Then all was good.” Neither one had any reaction to their first shots they told me. 

I asked them what they were looking forward to once 'THIS THING' is over?  Karly said, “Eating out and I have missed going to the grocery store, while feeling safe. Now being vaccinated there is just an all-around feeling of hope.” Yeah, I told her that is just what I hoped to accomplish too. To have hope and the feeling of being protected from the worry of who I am in contact with, even wearing a mask. Not wearing a mask seems so far down the road, but getting the shot, especially when everyone gets a shot, the mask wearing days will be over. Stay safe and be good to each other, Cecilia