SHOTS ARE THE NEW SANTORINI
Two years ago, back when people went places and Instagram feeds were full of all sorts of FOMO inducing images, Santorini, Greece with its blue domed buildings and even bluer sea was a favorite summertime spot for people to dish out a good dose of “weather is great, I’m here and you’re not” posts.
I used to say to my daughters If I see one more picture of Santorini I am going to scream. Is everyone in the world in Santorini but us? Of course, not true. But it felt that way.
I have never been to Greece. Though I cannot complain about my passport stamps. But Greece is on my bucket list. And Santorini does photograph really well.
Those photos did exactly what they were supposed to do. They made you a bit envious that you too were not eating freshly caught langoustine, drinking crisp white wine and wandering the beaches in a pareo and little else.
They reminded you that you were in fact a victim of FOMO – fear of missing out.
What a difference eighteen months makes, now we have a new FOMO, only I call it FOMOOS. Fear of missing out on shots.
Only this fear of missing out has far higher stakes than a good tan and making your ex feel stupid for breaking up with you. This one is really about life and death. This fear of missing out is the fear of missing out on shots. It’s a justified fear. And it’s building up quite a head of steam.
I thought I was the only one who cringed every time I looked at my Instagram feed and saw one more person smirking with a needle in their arm. “Shot number one!!!!!!!!!”
Or perhaps a close up shot of their Moderna receipt. With the caption, “Second shot done, life here I come.”
But there was an article in the Washington Post yesterday backing up my mixed emotions. It’s called “To Selfie or Not to Selfie, Why the Joy of Getting Vaccinated is Drawing a Backlash.”
I suddenly didn’t feel so alone. I had been meaning to write this blog for a few weeks, but I thought people would be put off. How selfish could I be? But the emotions are very contorted. And I am clearly not the only one feeling them.
I feel both envious and guilty for feeling envious. I don’t want anyone else to get sick or die. I’ve lost twenty people now to this disease. Some relatives.
I don’t want anyone not to get a shot.
But I want to get one too and it doesn’t look like that is going to happen anytime soon.
I have been a champion of others getting shots. With the help of my friend Rose, who taught me how to navigate the beyond complicated online sign ups, I was able to get Glenn his shots.
Rose has a degree from The London School of Economics, so maybe that is the level of intelligence and education it takes to figure out how to book a shot. But one night she called and said, I heard they are releasing several thousand appointments tomorrow. Get on two sites now. Two different computers.
So, Taylor and I each grabbed a laptop and we got Glenn, who is 65, and a legitimate candidate an appointment for Dodger Stadium a week later.
I not only made it possible for him to get an appointment. I drove him there, I sat in the car for 4 hours with him.
We made the appointment for the end of the day as we have all heard by now, the one chance someone has of getting a shot that is not being taken from someone who is in the right group is to nab a jab of the day’s leftovers.
So, we pulled up to get him his shot ten minutes before the sight was going to close down, except there were about five hundred cars in back of us. Before his shot, we nicely asked if there was any extra lying around. They said, ” no.” Then Glenn, who really went above and beyond the call of husbandly duty, asked the shooter if I could have his shot, as I have asthma. She said absolutely not. They were going by CDC rules and only 65 and up and only with appointments. So, he got his first shot and off we went.
One of use with antibodies slowly multiplying in their system. The other ordering more N95 masks.
The system is screwed up beyond belief. I could go into why, but why bother?
It’s a huge country and you can’t lump people into the categories they are. Some are good and some are completely nuts. In New Jersey smokers are in the top tier. ??????????
The point I want to make is, if you got a shot, I am genuinely happy for you.
Truly. And I have a few good friends who have tried to help me get a shot. Not breaking any rules or pushing ahead and elbowing others out.
Just helping a little dog looking for some scrap of Pfizer at day’s end.
Many people do not help others. They post their photos and go on their merry immunized way.
And that is OK, but you really need to stop and think about something. Most people, sensible people want a shot, and they want it now. They want it so much it makes them a nervous wreck at the end of several years of totally frazzled nerves and fears of death. And most people are far from getting any relief.
So, every time you post a photo of yourself, it just pisses them off that they are being shut out by a very broken system. And that broken system has resulted in over five hundred thousand deaths and they are predicting more tough months ahead. The unvaccinated just want a shot at not dying.
They want you vaccinated, and they want to be vaccinated so they can see you.
But posting a photo of yourself getting vaccinated is like doing a slide show of your trip to Santorini at a homeless shelter.
I have been waiting for someone to say something about this…deep down I knew you would be the one with the courage to put it out there. You are 100% right and exactly the reason why I didn’t post anything when I got my first shot. I know there is no malice or a nah, nah, I got a shot and you didn’t mentality when people share their pics of a needle in their arm or their card. It’s just the typical “santorini” sharing. But, after having, (like you for Glenn) gone through the ringer to get an appointment, I just didn’t feel right about putting it out in the world. Too many of those I love and care about haven’t been so lucky yet. If lucky is even the right word to use. I too have longed for the opportunity to take those fantastic vacations and felt more than a twinge of jealousy when others posted beautiful pics of places far and wide. So, now when we are talking about the difference between staying well and getting sick or even dying, the normal feelings of envy are combined with fear, anxiety and even anger. I am not 65 yet but I do have serious underlying conditions and work in a school, at least I did until COVID and I had to go remote. But, I have to get back into my building with my colleagues and the kids before I lose my mind. The isolation is mind numbing, depressing and totally unhealthy. So, the vaccine is my saving grace. In a month where I have lost my uncle, a life long family friend, my MIL and my beloved 18 year old fur child (sorry, I know to some those losses don’t equate, but in my world they do), it’s incredibly sad that the high point was getting a needle in my arm. But, it wasn’t a high point I wanted to throw out into social media as I know there are so many others that need the damn shot as much or maybe more than I. I’m praying you get yours soon. Sending you much love. As always thank you for saying the tough stuff…you are far more courageous than I.
Pete and I are fully vaccinated, but we’re both over 65. The second shot of Pfizer has coincided with high pollen counts here.. I’ve been exhausted for two weeks! But we are greatly relieved. You will be able to get a shot soon, I predict they will lower the age thus month. Hang in there.
We were in Santorini Oct 2018. We hated it. It was packed with tourists from several cruise ships and it was difficult to walk around. Oh, did I tell you it’s at the top of a mountain, probably formed by volcanic activity millenia ago??? It was a bore and a chore. If you do go, find an off season.I wish I could post a photo for you.
I’m so happy your vaccinated. I know it will all loosen up at some point.
And I am super glad I can scratch off Santorini. One less place on my list! Hope you see you before too long. Much love, T
I understand the second guessing oneself, how does this make me look? It’s why I held off. I wanted to write it weeks ago. But The Washington Post freed me. Though usually I follow my gut, if something is really bugging me, I know it’s bound to be bugging others. But not always, one always opens oneself up to criticism but I don’t really mind. These are just sensitive times. I have heard of ways I could get the shot, but I don’t feel OK doing it that way. So despite my desire, much like you I want to go when they say “your turn.” I just want it to be my turn!!! We will both be up soon. xoxox
You so deserve your shot. And I feel better knowing you are half way there. And when I hear about you getting one, I’m like yay! I would give up mine for you to get yours. If that was the situation. Not many I would say that for. And you sum it up so well, it’s not just a week’s holiday with pretty shots, it’s life and death. If I want something that will literally save my life. And when people post themselves it feels like they’re saying, I”m OK even if you’re not. So my attitude is just shut up and be a lady or gentleman about it, the way you are. I was in line with Glenn today for 4 hours, twice now, Al least here it’s in a car and not out in the cold or in a line standing up. But he got it and I am glad. Though no photos were taken! I am so sorry about Yogi. I know he was kind of Larry’s and it made him that much more special. The rest of the stuff we have talked about. As always, I love you no matter how much time or distance is between us. xoxoxoxoxo
Oh Tracey…I love you. You have just nailed it. I am 77 and have had one shot here in Portland. My 2nd will be March 18th. This should make me immune on April Fool’s Day. I was feeling much like you, just so afraid that I would never get one. I do feel immense relief but will not really be happy until my kids, 52, 51, are vaccinated – and my grandkids – 15 and 13. I do know people that have jumped the line, and I don’t like it one bit. I am glad that Glenn got his, and I hope you can get yours soon. Now, here in Oregon, you go online, fill something out, and they call you. That’s how it is supposed to work anyway. We seniors had to wait for teachers to get vaccinated. I had mixed emotions about that, since we are the age group most seriously threatened. It is so like you said…gloating…not good. And it is better than Santorini or any place for sure. Thank you for this…XOXO
Thanks Tracey. I have almost posted on FB ,to my 65 y/o friends- “I am jealous of your shot .” I turn 65 end of April. Decided that response made me look older and bizarre. I am also an RN, BUT no longer at the bedside. I could pull the Nurse card, but feel, for me, that isn’t honest. I work from home. As we both know the rollout has been horrid. It should almost be like GirlScout cookies… Give me the shots and I will stroll my neighborhood and get all neighbors vaccinated. Would love to help the effort BUT seems counterproductive if I haven’t had a shot yet…
As per usual. You are NOT alone in your feelings… Thanks for voicing mine.
Layne, I love your analogy about Girl Scout cookies. You are so right! There’s a system that works every year – like clockwork. We may have to get boosters every year, but surely that will be easier. I feel much safer having gotten one shot. Many of my friends have actually cried, and I understand. It felt that profound to me too.
Thanks for your thoughts.. Girl Scout Cookies have worked for years- glad to know my thoughts are not alone!! Best to you!
xoxo
This makes you look honest, straightforward and self assured. FB has it’s issues and I am contemplating letting it go at least for a while. I look forward to your blogs… they remind me to be me. I would like to think that with J&J on it now; perhaps we will be avail for the single shot and not have to worry about a 2nd booster…. Hugs!
I’m so happy you got one and are one your way. I know how one worries about one’s kids. I want mine vaccinated. Everyone is at risk. And now today with that idiot in Texas taking all precautions down, it’s just such a difficult time and a country that is so divided in its attitudes on health. And a govt that has not taken the reigns in terms of the portals and sign ups. Some states work quite well I hear, others not – and the big cities are a nightmare. My sister lives in Virginia and she and her husband got it without hassle. We’ve all been through so much, the thought that there are life boats but not everyone can get on one yet is frustrating, and I hope too many don’t get sick while we wait. Take care. You have such a good heart! xoxoxoxoxo
“they remind me to be me.” 🙂 makes my week. Thank you!
It was so strange, it was incredibly difficult to get the appointment so I anticipated waiting on line for hours and hours to actually get the shot. I went to Hillcrest HS on the other side of Queens. I have to say, it was like a well oiled machine, organized, efficient and relatively quick. I was in and out in a half hour. The only difficulty was with the traffic outside of the building which I was able to avoid as I had Jackie go with me and she just dropped me off up the block from the entrance. maybe it was because it was 5pm on a Sunday or maybe I just hit it lucky for the first one. We shall see. Thanks so much for your condolences, Yankee is the one that passed and he and Larry did have a special bond so there you are right. Yogi is still here, following me around like a, well, like exactly what he is, a lost puppy dog. He’s missing his brother and won’t let me out of his sight. XXOO
Thank you, Tracey. One of my friends got into a conversation with a checker at Safeway (who espoused her views on the “Mark of the Beast”) and how my friend could have her shot, because she thought it was a government plot. It is so HARD to live in a country where people believe a completely false narrative. Yes, Texas and Mississippi have now removed their mask mandates. How utterly mind boggling. Please DO let us know when you get your shot. We will not think you are gloating, my dear.
Yankee….I’ve never been good with sports figures. Maybe you should get another dog..
Or not. I don’ t think I will ever have three again. Happy it was smooth sailing. You deserve it. Big Hug.
nope, no more for me…I have Yogi and the two cats. I’m done, lol.
Sorry I didn’t call last night didn’t get home until late. I’ll call you later today.