The past week I received my second dose of the Covid vaccine. It was an easy process, just needed to be patient and wait my turn. I am aware that there is a lot of vaccine hesitancy as well as conspiracy theories of the vaccine having a way for the government to invade a person's privacy. That seems a lot like a Star Trek theory and I know we have some advancements in science and technology, but I am not going to believe any of those conspiracies until a person is teleported like Captain Kurt or Mr. Spock. Also, why do they need to put a microchip in my body, when I carry a smartphone around with me all day long.

The first shot was quick and painless. The FEMA site I went has their system down to a science and the line, though it looked long, (because we were all 6 feet apart), moved with ease. The fifteen-minute wait after the shot went by fast and I was in and out of that location in less than an hour. I gave them my cell phone and email address to contact me with my confirmation of the second dose.

It came right on schedule and I arrived an hour before because the age range had lowered and I expected to see a long line, or maybe a different line for second doses. The FEMA site had kept the process in place, and I moved through the check-in and to the vaccine area in less than five minutes.

The nurse, like the first one, was friendly and even though the first one was painless, this one did seem to hurt a bit. I made my way to the waiting area and was informed that it is important to drink plenty of fluids, Gatorade and other sports drinks were advisable. Only take Tylenol for pain and fever for the next 48 hours. Upon my exit, the FEMA EMT gave me a box of masks. Which I appreciated because I was down to my last few. I like to wear surgical/disposable masks under a cloth mask.

I started to feel chills and had a low-grade fever within a few hours. I drank a few bottles of water and Gatorade and took two Tylenol. I decided it might be best to go to bed and try and sleep off the side effects. The next day my arm was tender at the shot area and even though I did not have a fever, I felt a little run down and out of sorts. I normally drink a lot of water all day but added a few bottles of Gatorade in the routine as well. The next morning, I woke feeling fine. I went back to my routine and am now waiting for the two-week incubation period so I can go back to the office and maybe make an appointment with my hairstylist.

During a visit to my primary doctor recently the nurse and I talked about our vaccine experiences. Because she is in the health field, she got her vaccine in January, and even though she had no side effects she took it a step further and after her two weeks incubation, she had a COVID test and learned she did have the antibodies in her system. That reassured her that the vaccine is doing its job. She also wanted to be able to reassure her patients that it was a health measure that would prevent them from ending up in the intensive care unit.

I was wondering though, what happens when the lines for vaccines dwindle yet COVID is still killing people? I know we cannot ask for separate flights, hotels, and event venues for concerts and sports games. In a perfect world, this would not need to ask these questions. If the private industry demands people have proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test, then we should be safe? However, there are bogus vaccine cards and testing results out there for people that do not want to follow the rules.

I am aware there are religious beliefs and medical reasons for not getting vaccinated. However, these people live within their community of non-vacciners. A person who uses this excuse could potentially be considered a criminal. Because eventually this virus will be like HIV and be a criminal offense if someone infects or possibly kills innocent people that believed they were in a safe society.