Living with a pandemic 50

 I had my second dose of Pfizer vaccine this week. It really is a relief to know that I am now at least partially protected from any deleterious effects of the Covid-19 virus.

That is not to say that I, or anyone else who has received two, or even just one dose cannot acquire the infection and, if so, pass it along. But it does apparently protect me from serious illness or hospitalization if I were to get it. That’s enough for me for now.

In Alberta, where I live, there have now (as of April 6^th) been 755,831 doses administered, which represents 16,906.5 doses per 100,000 population. Albertans fully immunized, that is having had two doses, number 133,401. Only 205 adverse effects following immunization have been reported, none of them serious.

Where we live, seniors like us have mostly been vaccinated. But with the new variants and the lack of vaccines, we are not seeing younger people get sick and have to be hospitalized.

We are also now in the midst (or the beginning) of a serious third wave, with the variant strains leading the way. These are much more easily transmitted and much more serious with respect to health concerns – hospitalization and death. The local region, and the world are not out of this pandemic yet.

COVID-19 cases in Alberta by day and case status. Probable cases include cases where the lab confirmation is pending. Data included up to end of day April 06, 2021

The case numbers of the graph here look every bit as daunting as they did in November. Because vaccines have been slow in arriving in Canada, the powers that be have decided that the time periods between first and second doses should be extended to four months, even though the developers of the vaccines recommended was just 21 days!

There is no science behind this decision. It is merely being done to enable more people to get at least one shot when supply is very limited. Only time (and death rates) will tell if the decision was a safe one. Cross your fingers for us.

Around the world, things are not much better of course. We are very fortunate that a vaccine – or vaccines – have been made available in such a short time. There has not been a pandemic like this for over a century and hopefully the vaccines that have become available will provide the effectiveness we need to stop it.

While my wife (who will receive her second dose in a couple of weeks) and I can feel comforted that we are safe, we still worry about our adult children who may be months away from getting their protective vaccines. And no one yet has decided whether young people like our grandchildren will be able to get theirs. Kids can still get sick and we do not know what long term effects they might suffer if they do contract the virus.

In Calgary, there is a depressing trend in new cases toward younger age groups. Many of these are from the new variants as well. It is telling us that we cannot rest on our laurels but must look out for everyone. 

Restrictions on daily life continue. In fact, they have recently been increased in Alberta, much to the chagrin and anger of many people. There are still many that refuse to follow health guidelines which, of course, result in more spread. It seems that too many people think they have a right to endanger their friends and neighbours with their reckless behaviour.

The politicians keep saying, “Hang in there. The end is in sight.”

But is it really?