A Quick Update on Covid-19 Vaccination

 

I finally got my first COVID-19 vaccine.  But, in order to do so I had to drive half way across the state to get it.  The event I went to was well run by the National Guard and the professionals doing the injections were kind and compassionate.  I am scheduled to get the second one on April 2nd at the same place.

I don't mean to sound like an ingrate, but in order to get both shots I will end up driving roughly 500 miles (2 round trips per injection) and burn up a tank and a half of gasoline.  And if you haven't noticed, the price of gasoline has gone up sharply in the past several weeks.

Still, I am thankful to see light at the end of the tunnel.  I am told it will take two weeks after the second injection before I am fully covered against the coronavirus.  I am ready to get on with my life.

Goodbye #5

This post probably won't be read very much outside of St. Louis and then only by the ice hockey fans in the area.

#5 was worn by longtime St. Louis Blues favorite Bobby Plager.  Plager joined the club in its expansion year in 1967 and played at the old barn on Oakland Avenue for eleven years.  He was a defenseman best known for his hard hitting defense and an occasional  goal or assist.  After retiring from the team Plager worked in the front office in a host of capacities until his retirement in 1992.

Mr. Plager died on Wednesday on an interstate highway in the city of St. Louis.  Initial reports blamed his death on an automobile accident, but medical officials now believe the accident was the result of a coronary event which caused his death.  He was 78 years old.  Plager was preceded in death by his brothers Barclay and Billy, who also played for the Blues.

I was fortunate to see Mr. Plager and his brothers play for the Blues when I was in  high school and college.  He never backed down from a fight and took on some of the toughest enforcers in the National Hockey League.  He wasn't the best player on those teams by any means, but he was always a huge fan favorite because of his hustle and hard hitting style.

Rest in Peace Mr. Plager.

One Month Closer to Spring and Hopefully a Vaccination

 

It's the final day of February and all I have to write is it has been a long cold wet month.  For the middle two weeks of the month the temperature where I live never got above freezing and we saw snow on five days.  Prior to the month all we had experienced this winter was snow flurries.  To put it mildly; I detest Winter.

And to make the month worse I still have not been able to get a Covid-19 vaccine from the local health providers.  I am over the age of 65 and I suffer from two underlying health complications.  According to the government I am in the tier to get the vaccine because of those underlying conditions but as of today it's crickets.  Not a word from any health care provider.  And to complicate matters our 93 year old mother is also signed up for the injection but has yet to hear from any health care provider, hospital or doctors office.  If we can't take care of our elderly than what in the world are we doing?

I live in the Midwestern state of Missouri, which at one point was last of the 50 states in distributing the Covid-19 injections.  This can in part be blamed on our governor Mike Parson, who apparently is sending more vaccine than is needed to the counties that supported him when he was re-elected in November.  But, that has resulted in the counties where he lost, including those that are home to Kansas City and St. Louis to be far short of the amount needed.

Hopefully, I will be able to get our mother inoculated against the Virus in March and I will get the shot before I get the virus.  One of my specialists has warned me if I get coronavirus it will be difficult to shake because of my health.  I am becoming increasingly bitter with the politics and hope the governor's actions don't result in the death of any of our state's senior citizens.

Hail to the Chief

 

After 1461 days the United States is under new management.  President Joseph Biden was sworn in this morning as the 46th President of the nation.  I wish Mr. Biden well as he attempts to divide a diverse and extremely divided nation.

I found one line in his inaugural address to my particular liking when he said it is time to end this nation's un-civil war.  Hopefully, congress can take the lead on this as the polarization in the house and senate shows the rest of the country a horrible example.  I also hope Nancy Pelosi and Charles Schumer are willing to offer the "olive branch" to their peers on the other side of the aisle.

For the record I voted for Joe Biden in November.  I also voted for Donald Trump four years ago, but could not do it again after watching his ego get the bett er of him and the United States for the four years he served as our top elected official.

Good luck to you Mr. Biden.  You are going to need it.

Congratulations to the College Football Champs

Roll Tide!  This is a bit late but, congratulations to the University of Alabama Crimson Tide on winning the national College Football Playoff Championship over the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24.

The Crimson Tide scored early and often and had the game put away by halftime.  For the record it never was close in the second half and Alabama won its sixth national title in 12 years under head coach Nick Saban.

The Tide finished the season at 13-0, while the Buckeyes ended its COVID-19 shortened season at 7-1.   I saw Alabama open the season the last Saturday night in September when it beat my beloved Missouri Tigers 38-19.  I was disappointed with Mizzou's defense that night, but in retrospect the Tigers played Alabama as well as any team all season, with the possible exception of Florida, who lost by six but gave up 52 to the Crimson Tide.