“You haven't had #COVID19? You're lucky!”

My “luck”:
Two concerts, two movies in theaters & one conference in three years (all masked).
I haven't eaten in a reasonably crowded restaurant in three months.
I've worn a mask 100% of the time in airports, planes, transit & retail.
I've eaten outside on 50F/10C evenings to avoid inside dining.
I got every jab as soon as possible.
I've monitored COVID conditions and adjusted behaviors to match.
I canceled 2 vacations due to COVID surges.
“LUCK!”

@augieray in re: your checklist

No concerts, movies, theater, restaurant dining, or public outing for three years

I order my groceries online and pick up from an outdoor location, while remaining in my truck

Doctor appointments only exception, and these are video conference when feasible

I'm behind on jabs, I need the bivalent booster, but haven't been able to work out how to manage it.

My across the creek and down the road neighbor, who occasionally does work for me, called last night. He and his wife both tested positive and are symptomatic.

I'm terrified I've been exposed.

@caragraph @augieray Are you having issues about finding the bivalent booster?

@OldAndCranky @augieray no, I get medical care through the VA, but I'm an hour away from the hospital.

When I got the second vaccine, I had a bad reaction and ended up in the ER for half the day. I had a caregiver then so it worked out, but I don't have one now.

I can't quite figure out how to get from here, where I thought I was safely cocooned, to there-- and safely back

@caragraph @augieray Oh man, that's terrible. Did you have an allergic reaction or just a strong immune reaction?

@OldAndCranky @augieray probably safe to say the latter. I'm not a candidate for the flu vaccine because I always get ill from it.

I really thought my half hermit lifestyle would keep me safe!

@caragraph @augieray I never had a reaction to the flu shot until I started getting the super duper old peoples' flu shot. Yiikes! I reacted to all five covid shots, but it was just being achy and tired for a few hours.
@OldAndCranky @caragraph It may be little comfort to you, Caragraph, given the severity of the reaction, but I did see a study a month or two ago that suggested the stronger one reacts to the vaccine, the better the protection. (I can't find that now, however.)
@augieray @caragraph I do believe that is the rule of thumb. I actually worry because my spouse has virtually no reaction to vaccines ( except the shingles one, which I'm actually *scared* of- and I am generally medically fearless- I mean if he was uncomfortable I'll be a mess!).
@OldAndCranky @caragraph FWIW, I've had practically no reaction to any of the vaxes, myself. Still haven't got COVID (to my knowledge.)
@augieray @caragraph same for a lot of folks I know.