Get Vaccinated!

I've now had my first jab of the Moderna vaccine. In fact, it was 20 days ago. The side effects were limited to a barely sore arm for about two days.  In eight days I get jab #2, and by April 20 I will be almost fully immune to COVID-19. I'm going to celebrate with a much-needed haircut.

After that I'll resume astrophotography from the club's Cherry Grove site and a friend's dark, relatively treeless back yard. And I'll be able to attend the Nebraska Star Party, too!

According to the WHO here are the people who shouldn't get a mRNA-based jab:

Individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine should not take this or any other mRNA vaccine.

While vaccination is recommended for older persons due to the high risk of severe COVID-19 and death, very frail older persons with an anticipated life expectancy of less than 3 months should be individually assessed.

The vaccine should not be administered to persons younger than 18 years of age pending the results of further studies.

If you're not in one of those categories, then you have no reason to avoid the vaccine. 

Oh, you're not getting vaccinated because of something you've read on the internet? You've bought into the lies and bad science some people with political agendas are spreading? Fine, be a stooge. Chances are you'll only have mild symptoms if you get COVID.  Or maybe you'll have to spend a few days in a hospital bed, and then spend the next few years wondering if you're going to have chronic fatigue the rest of your life. No problem! At least you avoided the vaccine. Good luck to you and your loved ones.

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Next time: I'm about to start a major upgrade of my imaging system: A new scope, camera, and processing software!

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Follow-up: Our stimulus money didn't sit for more than a few hours in our bank account. Half went to Second Harvest, and half to St. Stephen's to help them assist the homeless. I hope you found a way to put your dollars to work for others, too. 

 

Donate Your Stimulus Checks

IF you are relatively untouched financially by the pandemic (and a large number of us have that good luck) you have a choice about what to do with your stimulus check(s). You could:

• Use the money to buy something for yourself, your family, or a friend.
• Save or invest the money
• Use the money to reduce your debt (mortgage, credit card, whatever)
• Donate the money
• Assist local businesses by buying their products or services
  

Those are certainly all good ways to dispose of the windfall and I'm not going to tell you one is better than the others; only you can make that decision.

I am going to encourage you to consider the last two options.

This pandemic has really hit the service sector hard, and particularly people whose earnings are lower. They've faced reduced hours, pay reductions, and complete loss of their jobs. In many cases they are trying to support a family. Eventually things will improve but while we wait for that they may be scrimping on food and medicines. One big way to help is to make sure they can find the food they need. 

Consider making a donation to your local food shelf. 

Further, there are those who are homeless, people who can't afford even the basic necessity of shelter during winter. Your donation can help provide them with a place of refuge. 

Consider making a donation to your local homeless shelter.

About that choice of patronizing local businesses? It's a good one, too. Many that serve the public have been forced to close in order to slow the spread of the pandemic. They've been asked to make a great sacrifice for the greater good. In other words, they're suffering financial hardship to keep you and your families healthy. At some point those of us they protected will want to show our appreciation, right? 

That appreciation can be in the form of our support for programs that will provide small businesses with relief. Yes, I know, that will mean raising our taxes, but don't small businesses deserve compensation for the sacrifices they're making on our behalf? I think it's safe to say keeping small businesses alive is a good thing. While we wait for those compensation programs to materialize:

Consider patronizing your local small businesses.

Sure, a new telescope or other piece of gear would be nice, but these are hard times for a lot of people. Pitch in and maybe more of us can make it to a better place together.