Coronavirus in Massachusetts (Boston: ranked, premium, home)

[mdovell]

I told you they'd pick the big e


https://www.masslive.com/business/20...ringfield.html

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by rach5

I don't think spread is all that likely, at least with the current variant. However, I think it's more likely than an anaphylactic reaction, which they are very worried about. We just don't trace that well here...
We know very little about B1117. Australia, which forces all who travel into the country to spend a couple of weeks in quarantine hotels, found several travelers in separate rooms on the same hotel floor and a hotel cleaner (plus spouse) infected with B1117. They are looking into it. https://www.theguardian.com/australi...r-conditioning
Some European countries are now enforcing the equivalent of N95 masks in stores/buildings and public transportation (and are making the masks available for free to high risk residents). That should also tell us something (a lot)
Vaccinations on a wider scale won't take place until B117 is widespread (I have heard by March it will be the dominant variant). We should plan accordingly. Outdoor/drive-through clinics whenever possible. Other states are doing it.

Speaking of Australia--my relative who lives in Sydney posted an envy-inducing picture of her birthday being celebrated in their workplace. Just like the old days...no masks, people hugging, posing for group pics, etc. Australia has the luxury of being able to just clamp down on clusters whenever they pop up (and mind you--they call 6 cases a "cluster"!).

So yes, it's absolutely possible to tamp down on contagions before they lead to pandemics...just need a quick response and some responsible leadership.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by mdovell

I told you they'd pick the big e


https://www.masslive.com/business/20...ringfield.html

Yes you did :-)

[OutdoorLover]

CVS and Walgreens will begin vaccinations in Mass this week (for people currently eligible of course) .

"Starting this week, 10,000 vaccine doses will be delivered to at least 15 pharmacies. According to the Baker administration, Massachusetts is one of the first states to team up with retail pharmacies. The locations are in Greenfield, Fall River, Salem, South Yarmouth, Pittsfield, Lee, Holden, Gardner, Hyannis, Mashpee, Somerset, Fairhaven, Haverhill, Saugus, and Danvers. They were picked because these areas currently have 'less access to convenient vaccine sites', the state said. About 40 vaccination sites will be added the week of Jan. 25 through this partnership and others, including Wegmans, Big Y, Price Chopper, Stop & Shop, and Hannaford."

https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/01/...-distribution/

[bohemka]

Who qualifies as an "eligible Phase One resident"? It's hard to get excited about 10k doses spread out over fifteen communities. Got to start somewhere, through, I guess.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by bohemka

Who qualifies as an "eligible Phase One resident"? It's hard to get excited about 10k doses spread out over fifteen communities. Got to start somewhere, through, I guess.

Connecticut is now doing age 75+ which shows how far behind the curve Massachusetts is.

[bohemka]

Thanks. I hadn't seen that. Most of us aren't even on the radar yet...

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Connecticut is now doing age 75+ which shows how far behind the curve Massachusetts is.

NYC is doing 65+ right now.

[porterhouse]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Connecticut is now doing age 75+

Public school teachers are being vaccinated in CT as well. They are doing a great job.


NY may say they are doing 65+, but it has been nearly impossible to get appointments for my elderly relatives in that state.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Connecticut is now doing age 75+ which shows how far behind the curve Massachusetts is.

We are a little bit further than the graphic indicates, at least unofficially. I have family members that are doing home-based healthcare and non-Covid facing healthcare that have been or are getting vaccinated.

In fact, one of the major issues is not everyone who is offered the vaccine is getting it leaving a surplus supply. I am not sure the reasons (logistical or otherwise) that the surplus vaccines cannot be returned to the general pool, but I am aware of situations where the vaccine was administered to persons who would not normally qualify right now vs discard them. To be clear, this is not "rich person gets preferential treatment" but more of "I'm on the verge of having to dispose of this, do you want it?" to any convenient person who just happens to be present/available and doesn't normally qualify.

But I agree, MA is behind.