Bill_de Loc: US

Considering all the buzz has been about Covid vaccinations I'm surprised to see so many people have gotten the flu shot.

But, has it improved your photography?

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pendennis

I too, am 73.

The data I quoted comes from "The Great Influenza: The Story of the Greatest Pandemic in History", by John Barry. Mr. Barry is a noted author, and his book is highly notated. I've also read a number of articles from the CDC, NIH, Johns Hopkins, and many other scholarly works.

The comparisons are certainly apropos. Both influenza and COVID are RNA viruses which act similarly. The reproduce prolifically, but not as efficiently as DNA viruses. Whether one is healthier today or not, viruses don't generally recognize the difference(s). In fact, one of the problems with fighting viruses, is that the body's own immune system can work against itself.

RNA viruses spread far more rapidly than other types. However, these viruses always regress back to their mean. That is, subsequent outbreaks are not as virulent as the first one. Contagiousness does not translate to virulence.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree, then.

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

Husband just spoke to friend whose grandson is an ER doctor. He has said repeatedly, "Grandma, please do not take the covid shot". Speaks volumes to me. Another friend in Florida knew someone, perfectly healthy, took shot, two days later dead. Don't hear much on the "news" about these cases. Yes, could have been not related. BUT speaks volumes to me.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

It's your decision. You are the one who has to live or die with it.

KillroyII Loc: Middle Georgia

Wife & I get Flu shots every year for many years... usually in Oct or Nov; however, our last one was in Sept to get the stronger dose (for elderly) that we missed a couple of years because everyone near by was out. By the way, in 1968 Air Force gave me a flu shot, on return from honeymoon, that nearly killed me... but the shot is very different since then... and has not bothered me. I have had Flu twice but very mild. Last time didn’t know I had flu but knew I had an ear infection and went to Dr... had a fever... then they tested me for flu & gave me tamiflu

If you get any other vaccine, like flu shot... you have to wait a couple of weeks before COVID vaccine

We just got our 1st COVID vaccine (Pfizer) this morning and scheduled for 2nd mid March

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

Quite right! As with the shot. I hope I am wrong and wish all the best.

tommyII Loc: Northern Illinois

Yep. And I just got the two Shingles shots too. The 2nd one was a killer! But it's better than getting Shingles.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

The CDC and FDA received 1,170 reports of fatalities among individuals in the U.S. who received a Covid vaccine — 0.003% of vaccinated people — between Dec. 14, and Feb. 7. During this time, over 41 million doses of Pfizer or Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines were administered across the country, according to the CDC.

“Typically, COVID-19 vaccine deaths can be attributed to anaphylaxis and occur within a relatively short period after the vaccine is given, which is why monitoring is done,” said Dr. Gary Anthone, Nebraska’s chief medical officer.

“While I cannot speculate on this case, when individuals die days or weeks after the vaccine has been administered, it is more likely due to other underlying factors,” Anthone said.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/12/cdc-to-investigate-death-of-nebraska-man-who-received-covid-vaccine-dose.html

Bill_de Loc: US

There is so much somebody spoke to somebody who knew somebody that it is hard to really know the facts. If/when this pandemic comes to an end there will be a commission that gathers all the facts, writes a report, and the government will seal it for 50-100 years.

So for now, all we can do is roll the dice and take our chances.

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Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Where I am, there was constant messaging encouraging people to get their flu shots. More than usual. This is b/c there is a need to help protect our healthcare workers and especially to conserve space and equipment needed in hospitals.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Got both Covid shots (Moderna) mine at the VA, wife also (Pfiser), she at our local Cleveland Clinic hospital, easy peasy, neither one of us had any reactions just a very mild sore shoulder, never even felt the needle. We get flu shots every year (extra strength) usually around Oct, without fail....Cheers

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have always had a thing about needles. Shots or blood draws were a major mental prep to get stuck. In High School back about 1960 they came to the school and gave all of us the Polio vaccine. I was so freaked my arm muscles tensed so hard it broke the needle off in my arm. Those old needles were pretty brittle. Then I had to try to stay calm while they got it out.

Back in 1998 I was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly there after started on insulin shots. Three times a day test blood at meal time and take a shot. Long acting insulin at bed time. After a while it became so routine I did it on auto pilot. However the pain killer at the dentist still calls for mental prep. I mean that is a looooong needle and it is in my mouth! Thank the Lord the standard practice is now paint some pain killer on the gums with a long Q-tip first. I do have to remind my dentist to wait long enough for my gums to get numb. So since she is a family friend I ask her about her kids.

And since I carried insulin in a cool pack and did my lunch time shot at school - often at my desk at the end of 4th Period just before lunch started - my students came to regard it as free entertainment. They would gather around the desk to watch. One semester I had a kid who had such a thing about needles he turned pale and looked like he was going to faint watching me. But he was there to watch everyday. Then one day he didn't turn pale and grinned. "Yesterday after school I got a shot at the doctor's office without fainting for the first time in my life. Watching you helped me learn how to get through it. Thanks for letting me watch."

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The standard progression for most diseases, including viral ones, is they mutate to become easier to transmit, but less deadly. Why? The deadly versions kill the host before it can be passed on much. So the mutations that survive tend to be less deadly or kill slower.

Steven Loc: So. Milwaukee, WI.

I get a flu shot every October at the V.A. I get my first covid shot next month and my doctor promised she'll make sure whoever gives it to me won't be a format Navy Corpman (they loved giving shots with squared needles).