Back to the bunker — what is going on in Texas

[bill_schubert]

My second day of searching with some intent for a vaccine was fruitless.  No fruit at all.  I still think that there will be one available this week or next and I'm trying to not let the anger that having to hunt for a vaccine (and outrage that others with less capabilities and worse health) is the way we're doing this.  That, of course, coupled with the opening up of the entire state has me working to compartmentalize my emotions out of self defense.  I've only got so much energy.

So I'm back where everyone was last summer.  In the bunker.  As of yesterday I'll no longer go anywhere other than medical facilities where masks are still required.  My daily walk with Zoe will be it.  Even if I do win the vaccine lottery we're a month away from seeing the results from the social experiment that the monied conservatives in this state have kicked off.   They have decided to follow Dan Patrick's (Lt Gov) advice that ensuring the economy of Texas thrives is worth losing a few of the vulnerable population.  He indicated last summer that the loss of his parents was worth having the gears of Texas business engaged.  This is who we elect here.  I understand his point.  It is perfectly consistent with someone who wants to ban abortions (and, wistfully wishing the entire contraceptive world would roll back to the fifties) while expanding lethal injection and ensuring viagra is available through the insurance plans acquired through higher end [read white] jobs.

Nothing new in this scenario.  It is the same standard fare Molly Ivins railed against when Shrub was not such an icon.  As the great slogan of Dennison's Clothier (across the river in New Jersey) said "Money talks, nobody walks".  We've bought a government that prioritizes the economy exhorting Reganism's trickle down bullshit when it is really just a centralized 1% bank.  They've built their walls.  They've gotten their vaccines.  Those whose lips are temporarily detached from Elon Musk's ass are grinning so wide it hurts.  You can see them jumping up and down in glee at what will be next year on the front of Texas magazine called "the Texas economic miracle recovery" with a lot of exclamation marks after it.

So I'm going to try to not be part of the cost of this miracle.  But it will require discipline and focus.  Stay in the boat.  There are tigers in the jungle.

Comments

[somedayseattle.livejournal.com]

Stay safe, Bill. Between COVID and snowstorms, I am certain your leaders are brain dead.

[egg-shell.livejournal.com]

I don't see how they can open things up when all the people over 65 haven't even had a chance for vaccines yet? What a world...

[maju01.livejournal.com]

Good luck! Both staying well and getting vaccinated.

[nick-101.livejournal.com]

I hope you'll get your vaccine soon. Texas is just full of problems lately.

[timbear.livejournal.com]

I hope vaccines come on stream there quickly. Sounds like the powers that be really don't have that on their priority list though.

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

If only we were a third world country with organized distribution.

[anais-pf.livejournal.com]

I think it helps not to focus too much on the news and what's happening outside your own safe home. It helps me, anyway. But I would be going ballistic if mask restrictions were lifted here.

[amw.livejournal.com]

I saw a post on ONTD where someone shared this "secret" Slack server as a place to get tips of where you might be able to find a vaccine in Texas: https://join.slack.com/t/texasvaccineupdates/shared_invite/zt-n17mcy6d-yLAOrewrRP7aTBMmwfVSEQ

See full thread: https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/120211983.html?thread=20123378959#t20123378959

America seems to be following its typical "me first" approach, where he who beats and claws (or pays) his way to the front of the line wins. As inequitable as that is, maybe despite themselves, America is still vaccinating far more people than countries where it seems most people are more politely waiting their turn.

Other possibility: America is actually doing just as well (or poorly, depending on your perspective) as every other country, there's just more incentive for foreign and partisan domestic media organizations to report on the shit-show. And they have more vaccines in raw numbers than everyone else because their government has the biggest coffers and the most guns.

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is quite the resource. Thank you. Crowd sourced Slack channel. Amazing. The federal government is on the job now, I think. Every news shot I hear seems to be an announcement that the latest projection is better than the previous for vaccine availability. My guess is I'll get one by next week and in another month and a half, everyone who wants one will have an avenue to get it.

More than a little irony that my best lead so far comes from someone who I started following because they were in Wuhan when this all began.

Really, thanks.