That Bubble Age

 I continually find myself at that "bubble" age.  A bit too young and a bit too old.  I seem to be born in-between.  The recent advantage is that I am at the bottom end of qualifying for the Covid 19 vaccine.  Most I know who received it are quite a bit older and retired.  When we were applying for an appointment on line, I was trying to figure out who I can share the information with.  I came up with two names.  Most of those I know are on the upper end of not qualifying.

My experience today:

At the Crenshaw Faith Center in Inglewood, my appointment was for 9:20am.  Drive through only, no walk ins.  The line started on Vermont, snaking though the neighborhood for 1 hr.  Advice 1:  make sure you have enough gas.  The line does not move like the local Chick Fil A.  There is a lot of stopping and sitting.  Advice 2:  bring something to read.  Advice 3: ration your intake before leaving the house, there are no porta toilets in the neighborhood.  But a bottle of water would be helpful.  Be also aware occasionally a homeowner needs to get out of their driveway and every so often, someone tries to cut in line.  Sitting means 5 to 10 minutes at a time.

Once you get to the church parking lot, they mark your windshield with the number of people getting the vaccination.  The car ahead of me, the driver tried to wiggle a dose even though she didn't meet the requirements.  the response was they were allocated only 1200 doses a day and that they could try coming at 3pm to see if there were any doses not claimed.  She was not very encouraging.  They do check your ID and the email confirmation comparing names.  

In the parking lot, it was like lines at Disneyland.  Multiple lanes going back and forth with the attempted illusion of movement.  It didn't work.  You would move about 10 car lengths, then sit, for 30 minutes.  This is a large parking lot.  Refer to Advice 2.  I eventually found out why.  My line split into two lines, once you finally pull up to the front of the line (Imagine you are at the Jungle Cruise and you finally make it to the front and just miss making the boat.  Then wait because there are only two boats running) you wait. Did I mention you spend a lot time waiting?  The admin comes by holding a laptop (she does that all day, strong arms) and takes your info from your Drivers License.  She makes her way down the line.  She is followed by the Med staff and their assistant.  In my case, a young asian lady administered the shot.  She changed gloves after each patient.  The assistant follows holding the doses, sharps container and trash bag.  Again not cart, but strong arms.  Their shift was 8 hrs.  

Once they make their way down the 10 car lane, they start the 15 minute clock to see if there are any allergic reactions.  Interesting they don't say how to notify them if there is a problem.  I guess if you faint and hit the horn with your head, they know.  Once the clock is up, they come and give you your Vaccine card with today's date and the date when to get a second shot.

Maderna is plus or minus 4 days.  Second shot can be received at any where they are offering it.

Hope you are safe.