Coronavirus in Massachusetts (schools, calculated, manufacturing)

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

We tried to get all our elderly neighbors vaccine appointments. We probably put 40 hours of computer time into it and failed. We’re both very computer literate. I don’t see how anyone 75+ could ever make an appointment. This was a total public health failure in Massachusetts. They should all have been put in a prioritized queue 3 months ago when approval was imminent and it was obvious that there would be rationing.

If they are still driving and ambulatory, from the same article, another potential option... "Harrington reminded selectmen that the state set up a vaccination phone hotline last week through which people who are part of Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout can also sign up to be vaccinated at a state supersite by dialing 211."

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

If they are still driving and ambulatory, from the same article, another potential option... "Harrington reminded selectmen that the state set up a vaccination phone hotline last week through which people who are part of Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout can also sign up to be vaccinated at a state supersite by dialing 211."

Last week was FEBRUARY. No planning at all. I’d expect it in rural Alabama. This was total leadership failure.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Same thing is happening on Cape Cod. No vaccines yet I guess they will eventually be given out at the Melody Tent in Hyannis and some other venue. There are a lot of retired people on Cape Cod.

Yep. A mass vaccine site at Gillette shows the usual view that the state ends at 495.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Last week was FEBRUARY. No planning at all. I’d expect it in rural Alabama. This was total leadership failure.

Just trying to help in case you weren't aware...

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

We tried to get all our elderly neighbors vaccine appointments. We probably put 40 hours of computer time into it and failed. We’re both very computer literate. I don’t see how anyone 75+ could ever make an appointment. This was a total public health failure in Massachusetts. They should all have been put in a prioritized queue 3 months ago when approval was imminent and it was obvious that there would be rationing.

I agree. In at least 2 other states (Ohio, New Jersey) where relatives/close friends in vulnerable groups have been vaccinated, they were able to sign up in advance of when their Phase was officially open. Yes, in some cases the initial time slots were showing way out in March, or even May, but they were at least able to get something on the calendar, and keep looking after the Phase opened to see if they could get in earlier (which they did). The MA system is chaotic and confusing by comparison, and I continue to be alarmed by the large number of open/unclaimed slots (there's hundreds showing at Springfield today, for example).

[sawyer2]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

We tried to get all our elderly neighbors vaccine appointments. We probably put 40 hours of computer time into it and failed. We’re both very computer literate. I don’t see how anyone 75+ could ever make an appointment. This was a total public health failure in Massachusetts. They should all have been put in a prioritized queue 3 months ago when approval was imminent and it was obvious that there would be rationing.

Agreed - we went through the exact same process for some elderly extended family - unbelievably frustrating.

[OutdoorLover]

The state's Covid-19 site is currently showing a banner that reads "Notice: Due to high demand and constrained vaccine supply, COVID-19 Vaccination appointments are limited. More appointments will be available based on supply from the Federal Government. Appointments will be added on a rolling basis."

[msRB311]

I meant many schools won't be going back THIS school year. Thought that would have been to folks but I guess not. I do think schools will be back full time in the fall of 2021.

[mdovell]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

What gives you the idea that schools won’t be back to 100% in-person in 2021? Everyone will be vaccinated. Storrow Drive will have rental trucks plugged in the overpasses in late-August like usual. Those dorms will bankrupt everyone if they’re not full of students. Pretty much every college has the same math.

Well..

1) What if they students don't want to be back for whatever reasons? This might open up a can of worms but since covid we haven't had any school violence. Think about the mental health of kids right now and then put them with other kids. Sure some can vent and take things out. I'm sure gym classes will have a ton of energy. But if they start to take things out on each other this won't be good. If a covid case can create the need for isolation due to exposure for a week or two what happens if there is violence? So a virus that has a 97% survival rate (yes survival does not mean the same) causes students to be out but if there is another event then how would anyone be expected to come back?

2) What if the parents don't want them going back? Let's say someone is still working from home. That's a fair amount of loneliness if the kids go back and the parent's are still at home.

3) The lack of diversity has grown. International students are not really coming back to public schools and academia. It could be years before they are able to. If this makes someone the only person of color in school or work for that matter would they want to deal with that or not? I know people personally that do not want to be the token minority.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/...try-of-origin/
China - nope
India - nope
South Korea - nope
Saudi Arabia - eh maybe a tad
Canada - Probably ok
Vietnam - nope..

Unless they are from Israel, Bahrain, maybe Serbia and the UK it's going to be much harder to get international students to come back.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...s-tracker.html

Just because we'll be vaccinated does not mean the rest of the world is. As bad as we think things went with COVID we're WAY ahead of others with vaccination.

the other part is how many are going to flock to areas once they are ok. I'd love to travel if it's safe. The UK would be great but in aggregate if it means huge crowds then it becomes a paradox.


https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/20...giK/story.html

There's a difference between saying "We're going back" and "We're ALL going back". This is tens of thousands of people.

Obvious academia still wants students so that's why they have to keep allowing for online education if they want to continue to market overseas. If you withdraw from a marketplace sometimes you can't really come back. I hear Packard Bell still sells in Thailand Anyways then students domestically will argue why should I shell out more money for a dorm and yet someone overseas doesn't have to. It gets into an equality issue and they'll continue to allow for online education if you don't want to physically attend.

[sawyer2]

Effective tomorrow - 'an individual who is accompanying a person age 75 or older to get the vaccine may schedule their own appointment to be vaccinated on the same day.'

https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-poli...w-appointments