Back when the Covid-19  Vaccine was released, I watched the news  and  saw the trucks leave the plants and seeing that I felt some relief.

At that time I understood that I was ‘ non-essential’ and not at ‘risk’ ( hey I lived in an area that LUVS them some Donald Trump and they didn’t believe in Covid-19 so HELL YES  I WAS AT RISK . In addition I used Public Transportation and work with  the public) but I figured by Summer I would have a chance to get vaccinated and I thought I could hang on until then.

The thing that made it hard was when my friends who were deemed ‘essential’ started to get their vaccines and posted pictures of their cards in FB  and video recorded themselves giving Miss  American Speeches that would have had beauty pageant contestants  weeping in envy.

I get that they were relived and excited, but on the other hand there was a large part of the population that were not considered ‘essential’ enough to protect.

One of my friends sent me a picture of themselves getting their shot and quipped, ” I get to live ”

and I responded, ” Awesome. I get to hope to not catch covid-19 and die ”

So when  certain people were being advised to get their boosters ( by age and medical conditions-)  and there was a method to that messaging I started to pay attention.

I set my spider to pull info about new  approvals for the vaccines and when I saw that the new groups now being encouraged to get their boosters worked or lived in situations that put them at risk, I jumped in and made an appointment.

Shortly after that point I saw blurbs popping up about the FDA and CDC moving to seek approval for everyone to be vaccinated and I figured, like the last time by the time I got in the shot it wouldn’t matter that I had checked a box and made myself essential.

This is what I decided. If I didn’t make myself essential I was going to be put at risk AGAIN. So sure. I cheated. Sort of.

So yesterday I got my booster-I made my appointment before Thanksgiving so I only had to wait like, four days.

Some of my  friends waited until they got the all clear to go in- they’re past that six month point, being they were essential and got the shots earlier. I got my second shot exactly 6 months ago.

A couple of people were in a certain amount of distress because they tried to schedule appointments through their Doctors Office- where they went before- and found out they couldn’t get in until late December.

I pointed out that when I was making my appointment I saw that some places had openings. They did get in but they have to wait a couple of weeks. Which is better then getting it after the holidays.

I feel like  that in a complicated angry world I found a way, in this case to make it safely to the other side of the street.  I felt essential.  I will be honest. It felt good.

You can talk about cha-cha
Tango, waltz or the rumba
Senora’s dance has no title
You jump in the saddle
Hold on to the bridle

Jump in the Line

Raymond Bell, Gabriel Oller, Ralph De Leon, Stephen Samuel

For FOWC W/ Fandango — Schism