Endless Searches, Endless Phonecalls, Endless Frustration

Like every other senior on Cape Cod, I find the search for a vaccine a full time job but one without any payoff.  I go on the state website every day; I go on the county website, I go on the so-called help line, I go on Stop-and-Shop Pharmacy.  Under Gov Baker’s idiot plan, the pace of releasing vaccine is about the same as the rate a slug climbs a sunflower stalk. No place that is supposed to be giving the vaccine on the Cape has vaccine except a mass place at the Melody Tent in Hyannis that never has an open appointment.  The Cape doesn’t count for him.  The elderly are just in the way and cost the state money. 

there’s no state place to get information except what group you are in, as if that makes any different because the state hasn’t finished vaccinating those in group one a full two weeks after they supposed to have them all vaccinated.  the Gov keeps saying that in a day or the next day or next Christmas or in 2048, those of us over 75 will get the vaccine – perhaps, maybe, or not.

I finally got an appointment in a few weeks but only because Beth Israel, where I had both knees replaced, offered me an appointment.  It is over 100 miles away.  Public restrooms are along with gyms, eating indoors in restaurants, salons and doctor’s offices, one of the most dangerous places, especially for women since the doors are kept shut. But I took the appointment because it was the only one I could get.  I know I’m very lucky to get any chance at the vaccine at all, but if I catch Covid on the way there or back, the vaccine will be wasted on me – and I will soon be wasted too.

I have been judging the National Jose Gouveia Poetry Contest sponsored by WOMR.  We received twice as many entries this year.  Covid makes for poems.  They filled an entire sizable box. I took me i two days ago to go through them.  I made 4 pass-throughs until I could winnow it down to the winners first, second, third, and the honorable mentions.  it got increasingly difficult because there were so many good poems this year. I had to leave off poems I thought excellent.  they still stick in my mind, a sign of a good poem.

 My first choice was no contest.  in fact that entry, identified only by number, had the two top poems but I decided between them.  It was embarrassing when John sent me the names of he winners and runners up.  The best poem by far was written by someone I know.  I had no idea it was hers.  I actually thought a man had written the poem. it looks rigged but it absolutely wasn’t.

I have a ZOOM reading tomorrow for Temple Israel in Brookline, MA – that’s Sunday mid-afternoon, well before the Super Bowl.  I will be rooting for the Chiefs.  Patrick is a good guy, it appears, with politics and generosity, more than I ever could say about Tom Brady. I hope the Chiefs win. I’ll be doing a workshop in March –on line, of course—for Temple Israel in March.

I have been under the weather with a bad cold and laryngitis, but Thursday, I starting feeling better. I’m hoping my voice continues to clear up before the ZOOM event tomorrow.  Whenever you cough during Covid, you think you have it. if you cough in public, you become an instant pariah.  I am supporting the Kleenex industry single-handed.