Daniel Tapia (1973)

   I personally know dozens of people who got the virus and Vince who hung out with my brothers is one of them.  Over 505,000 people dead from coronavirus never got a choice to take the vaccine. They surely would have taken the vaccine if it was there. More than one family member dying in some families. 

   28.4 Million cases have recovered many have lasting side effects.  My brother-in-law is still suffering from side effects after he and his family all got the virus 3 month ago.  

  The vaccine was developed because of science and is safe. Science saved non believers of science even Donald Trump who then said I think I'm Immune.  When the vaccine is available for me I will take it.  Not just for me but to also protect the people that don’t want to protect themselves and their family members. 

   After 45 years as a Maintenance Mechanic having to  work with toxic chemicals at times for days mask do work.

Debbie Day (Camara) (1975)

Daniel Tapia (1973)

Joseph Steele (1968)

United we stand divided we fall. Kinda of a neet saying don't you think. What happened. One person did this what will it take for millions to become a nation again. Oops then here comes the virus, now we're farther apart than we need to be. Oops then comes the vaccine even farther we get. I always thought AMERICA WAS GREAT I didn't need to make it great again I never lost our greatness, call me what you like but don't call me un American because I believe in us all. One person can't break the American spirit, and one person won't. I'm just feeling sorry for the ones that won't see that great day when we all become one again, as we were before all this started. This virus has taken to many of the greatest ones. Let's hope that what we have now won't make us ungreat. 

Robin Cambra (Cranford) (1972)

Everyone has a choice of whether or not to get vaccinated.  I for one received both of my doses of the Pfizer vaccine with no side affects at all.  All those close to me are choosing to do the same.   I feel relieved that I now have some protection and that I am doing my part in helping to bring an end to the Pandemic. 

Of course you hear stories of people contracting COVID-19 and coming through with no issues.  But there are thousands who have died and many more who are now suffering long lasting issues.  I am happy to hear that yet another vaccine is on the horizon.  

Now about Polio:  My father was struck with polio the year before the vaccine came out. He was in an Iron Lung for quite some time and damage was done to one of his lungs and he lost all the muscle in his legs.  From that point on he was wheelchair bound until he died at the age of 47 from a bout of pneumonia when his good lung collapsed.  If a vaccine had been available to him all those years ago I like to think he would have lived a much longer and healthier life.  

Michael Soto (Soto) (1965)

Carol Truex (Young) (1967)

I'm not joining this conversation to persuade but infact to inform. I have been a Registered Nurse for 40 years, and worked in the Emergency Dept for 36 years. I have seen and cared for many patients during outbreaks of deadly viruses. This one is different in terms of how contagious it is and the long lasting effects to the lungs damaging the alveoli (air sacs) causing scarring and permanent damage to breathing. The heart imaging scans taken months after recovery show damage to the heart muscle again with long term effects. Most people on this forum are in the age group that is most susceptible to these lasting conditions that will kill you or negatively impact your life. The messenger vaccine has been studied for 20+ years. Covid 19's arrival gave scientists the incentive backed by global financial power so the vaccine they had been studying for decades was able to be produced, put through all the clinical trials and manufactured to the approval of the most stringent studies and evaluation of the FDA. Most interesting to me was all the nurses and doctors rushing to be first in line to get the vaccine. I do not know one colleague young or old who has refused to get this vaccine, including myself. Depending on your stage of life, if you're able to stay home, choose your time to shop, not gather in any crowds or indoor events, avoid family that are in the 19-50 age group and their children, you might be able to avoid exposure. If you do get Covid and are hospitalized you will be given a lot of different medications that are almost experimental in terms of their use in the setting of Covid. The choice is yours wishing you all good health. 

Donna Bohrer-Abbott (Mayfield) (1963)

Thank you Carol for this excellent information.  I totally agree with you as I have friends in the medical field and they mirror your response. As I stated earlier I had the virus last November and have also received the 1 injection from pfizer.  My husband had no ill effects, I on the other hand had a very bad response for one day and we believe it was due to the fact that I have fibromyalgia and it triggered a response.  We will be getting our second injections on March 17th.  Hope everyone stays safe and healthy.

Linda Munoz (Brooks) (1965)

Thank you Carol Truex Young for posting your valuable information. I didn't want to chime in either. I know we all have a right to our own choices in life, but I feel anyone who does not get a shot is taking their life in their hands. Very few people get reactions. Here's hoping no one in our group gets this deadly virus let alone gve it to a family member. Not judging any one.

Linda (Munoz) Brooks.

Peggy Wood (Guernsey) (1968)

Robin, I am so very sorry for your loss. My extended family( older and even my gen and 2 cousins) lived with the FEAR of polio 'cus no one knew how my 15yr old uncle got it at 15 and  I was 6mo with him all that day before he went into an iron lung that night.  None of us ever got it and he came out like a limp wet washcloth, Went on to marry, have 3 kids, and run Jerry's Burgers and Jerry's Pancake Parade! PTL. YES Joseph, We are Americans and Pacific Vikings. I believe in a "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" JFK. Look how many Americans  come to the aid of others after a Freeway collaps with  others climing in to help before first responders even get there, food and blankets and cloths when those first fires hit CA , and during all this cov-19 bring food, checking on those home bound, change manufacturing products to PPC needs, make masks and give away, change brewing to make hand santanizer, etc...Americans even without money or a home come out to help some one in need. For me an American can be even undocumented but working towards it and cares and respects , about this country, values, people etc ( future American on paper), a new visa arrival who wants to stay and be an American with paperwork, but cares about this country, even those born here that love this country and sre not using their statis against others.  In otherwords anyone who loves this country, respects life and liberty, willing to fight for freedom, share, care and help.  I probably have said too much or the wrong way and someone will be offended or hurt, I will say I'm so sorry now.  Daniel  Great info, I believe you are part of the solution Thank you.  Debbie, thank you for stayin strong.  David Thank you  you for your heart. Randall "herd culling" Be aware that Ins Companies incl the Affordalbe Care Act are cutting back on tests, services etc for seniors deemed (quietly under the table talk) too old to reap the benefits of a surgery, or procedure, or test groups, not worth the money it would cost, many women already know what cancer screenings we "don't need"  to me is CULLING SENIORS,  I do truely pray I have not offended anyone, my heart is sincere.  Peggy 

Joseph Ferreira (1966)

Thank you Carol. The RN, CWOCN that I'm married to agrees with you. Our second vaccine is scheduled for March 3rd.

Joseph Steele (1968)

PEGGY. 

THATS WHY ITS CALLED FREE  SPEACH. If they don't want to hear what you say they can go read something else.  Don't be afraid to say what you mean. And Carol keep up the good work on the information. Joe glad to see that everything is going well and your staying safe. Neighborhood buds great to hear from you. If we all do our part we should be back to almost normal in a little while. THE FLU PANDEMIC  took three years to tame.  Be patient and be a survivor. 

Jim Watson (1964)

Wow—some seriously entertaining Flat-Earthers here. Good luck, kids!

Brad Amaral (1969)

Hey Joe glad your still kicking, my wife & I received both shots here doing fine. Thoses who decline to get there shots good luck . Please where a mask 😷 like the people who did receive there shots they still where there masks. That's how we will beat this. 

Gerald Sheldon (1963)

Have anyone else ever Looked up Patents on USPTO.Gov     There's a Great Difference between a "Virus" and n A "Pathogen Genator....   Guess I have Too Much Time on my Hands...  LOL

Clifford Nannini (1967)

Peggy Wood (Guernsey) (1968)

 Wearing a MASK is a great advantage AND PLEASE REMEMNER to continue to WASH YOUR HANDS.  

My Dr. just suggested that I take my second vaccine in the other arm from where I had the first,   It's okay with me. Why note try and see if effects/reactions might be different.  I am awre of all the yucky effects that are happening so I am mentally prepared that I will be fine!         Also another thought the practice  of medicine is still a practiced science, that may change daily.  My prayers are for the guidiance of the Lord that it all be used for good.    Have a blessed day Vikings, Peggy

Bill Statler (1969)

As Senator Pat Moynihan once noted, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts. So here goes some facts about the Covid-19 vaccine:

1. Following extensive testing, over 75 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been administered in the United States without any serious reactions. (A sore arm at the injection site doesn't count as “serious.”)

2. According the most recent data I could find, based on 17.5 million doses administered through January 18, 2021 in the United States, the rate of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) was 2.5 per million for the Pfizer vaccine and 4.7 for the Moderna one (combined rate for both of 4.5 cases per million). That’s a likelihood of 00045% chance of an adverse reaction – pretty good odds. 😊  (Note: if you have a friend that has had a severe reaction to the vaccine, you associate with a very rare group of folks. As they say down under: good on ya!)

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776557

3. In most of the cases, anaphylaxis occurred in people who had a prior history of allergies or allergic reactions. Most of the reactions occurred within 15 minutes after the vaccine was given (which is why they ask you to wait that long after being vaccinated before leaving.) No cases resulted in death. Again, pretty good odds considering that over 500,000 Americans have died from Covid-19.

Source: Allergy and Asthma Network https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/statement-on-covid-vaccine/

4. It’s widely reported that the most common reported side effect following vaccination is pain at the injection site. (Along with others on the PHS site, I’ll agree with that! But after a few rounds of golf, it went away.)

I’ve noticed several comments remarking that when it comes to taking Covid-19 precautions (masks, social distancing, vaccination), they refuse to live in fear. I agree with that: stop being afraid of the vaccine.

A final note: I generally agree with the notion that freedom is the right to make the wrong choice. However, I think an important caveat to that is when a bad decision adversely affects others (as pandemics do). Freedom is not the right to falsely yell fire in a crowded theater (many get this Justice Holmes quote wrong: it is okay to yell fire if there is one!) or drive through a red light.

That said, whatever your decision regarding the vaccine (which I agree is yours to make), I wish everyone a safe and healthy journey through these challenging times.

- Bill

Donna Bohrer-Abbott (Mayfield) (1963)

Bill Statler.....well said!

Tom Brody (1969)

March 2, 2021

Dear Y'all Pacific Vikings, this is to join the string of remarks regarding vaccines.   Yesterday, I received my vaccine at CVS Pharmacy, located in Fruitvale a half block east of McArthur Freeway.  This was the Pfizer vaccine.  I asked the nurse if she went to the nursing school at Samuel Merritt College.  She replied that she went to nursing school at Chico State. (One my classmates from Pacific High went to undergrad school at Chico State, but my memory of her name is faint.)   For the first twelve hours, I experienced no side-reaction of any kind.   But at midnight, my right arm experienced a slight ache, whenever I rolled over on it.  Now, it is 7 in the morning, and the slight ache occurs only if I press on my right arm.  Second vaccination is scheduled for 3-weeks from now.   I will continue to always wear two masks, one over the other, when I'm out in public (but I rarely go out in public areas).  I've continued my weekend hikes  (Bolinas Ridge Tr. in Marin, Golden Spike Tr. in Oakland Hills, Tomales Point Tr. at Pt. Reyes, or around Lake Chabot), and I always take my mask from my pocket and then put it on, whenever I see other hikers in the distance coming towards me.  - - - T.B.

Manuel Bustos (1964)

Hello fellow Vikings,.I tested twice positive for COVID!I decided to take a test ,just to take it!I had nor have any systems!Upon the first test,decided I would chk to see if it was a false reading!No it was positive again!Was put in quarantine for 14days!Be mindful I did not have COVID systems!Asked the dr ,what would have transpired if I did not have the test by chance?His reply was ,I could still transmit the virus!,Since ,I have had a vaccine,taking second one this Friday!My message to others,consider other persons in ur circle!,Also,don't know when or where I contacted the virus!If not by chance that I decided to take the test,I would NEVER have known if I had the virus!,Rem I did not have systems!, Take Care

Joseph Ferreira (1966)

My wife and I just received our 2nd COVID vaccine. If I experience any reactions other than a sore arm, I will report them here. Stay well Vikings.

Debbie Day (Camara) (1975)

Ruth Moore (Wilder) (1964)

I received my second vaccine yesterday. It was Phizer. So far so good. If I have any setbacks I'll post here. 

Paul Haller (1973)

. No need to wait four years. Women who have had the vaccine are already reporting changes in their menstrual cycle. A doctor who got the vaccine reported COVID 19 related swelling in her lymph nodes during a mammogram. Not to mention that over 1500 people have died after getting the vaccine. 
 No masks, one mask or now two masks the cdc is just guessing it changes on almost a daily basis.wait until they come out with the long term effects of wearing a mask. Dermatologist have a new term called mask acne, my wife had it and it's uncomfortable.
 Yes it is called practicing medicine which is the number three cause of death in the U.S. Thank you Mrs Camara and all the other doctors and nurses out there for what you do. I myself have had 7 surgeries and know there are side affects to every foreign substance put in my body. Without the kindness of the compassionate nurses I wouldn't be as well as I am today. Our body's are amazing things a can resist and adapt to many things thrown at it without adding a genetically altered foreign substance into the mix.

thanks for listening fellow Vikings as President Reagan once said the scariest words in America are I'm from the government and I'm here to help.