A Shot in the Arm

According to the CDC, there are 22.2 million cases of COVID-19 nationwide and 373,000 people have died. Those numbers are projected to increase with an estimated 400,000 total deaths by the end of this month. It is hard not to imagine how different our landscape would be if the administration had taken the situation seriously from the onset and did not lie to us about the virus.

In stark contrast to the current administration's flat out disregard for the country’s well-being, President-Elect Biden has already established a task force of 13 physicians and health experts to guide his administration's response to the virus. Importantly, it is Biden’s intent to invoke the Defense Production Act in order to ramp up vaccine production.

Currently, the vaccine is rolling out across the country and most states have developed a plan of action in dispensing the vaccine. As a general rule, the vaccine is being given to frontline medical workers, people over the age of 65, and those in nursing homes across the country. Additionally, in many states, the vaccine is being given to those with significant health concerns and compromised immune systems.

To be sure, getting the vaccine into the arms of every American is a complicated process that will take time. Many of us will not be vaccinated until the summer, perhaps longer; however, there is some measure of relief knowing that there is at least a small glimmer of hope at the end of what has been a dark and uncertain tunnel.

In March of last year, we launched our covid keyword and filled it with information on individual state responses to the pandemic. In addition to providing information regarding restrictions in your state, we included links to financial resources such as agencies to help pay your utility bills, unemployment and public assistance, school closures and reopenings, and testing sites to name but a few. Today, we are happy to say that we have added your state’s vaccine dashboard to the menu.

By sending the word covid to 50409, then VACCINE, you will be connected to the website that your state has developed which includes their action plan, vaccine locations, frequently asked questions, and more.

As always, you can send monthly to 50409 and lobby your legislators on the issues that are important to you.

The last year has been brutal and everyone has been affected by the pandemic in one way or another. But, we can each do our part by wearing a mask, staying home, social distancing when we must go out, and washing our hands. Be safe out there everyone.