Hurry up and wait

Jan. 21, 2021

I would never want to be a whiner, but virus vaccine distribution in Colorado (and probably most places) is chaotic. I’m sure part of the problem is that there simply is not enough of the vaccine (either one) to meet demand.

I am 70, and therefore -- in theory -- NOW eligible for the first shot. But there doesn’t seem to be any sort of centralized system which leaves us where people often believe they are: on their own.

So my wife and I have signed up with two entities -- Kaiser and UC Health -- and have been notified by our personal doctor’s office that SOMEONE will call or email us. Don’t call them.

That means we are on three lists and our strategy is simply to take whichever provider contacts us. That is logical but clearly inefficient and, based on reports I have seen, inconsistent. 

I have a brother 17 years my junior who lives in a tiny town in north central Washington state, and he got his first shot yesterday. Good for him, of course, but he is not in any high-risk group. I have former students who are not front-line workers who have had their shots. Again, good for them.

I am a patient guy -- hey, I was in the Air Force and completely understand “hurry up and wait” -- but being assured by the state that I should have my vaccinations by the end of February isn’t very comforting. 

Oh, wait. I guess I AM being a whiner.