Veau, vache, cochon...

[castalie]

Before I get on with the fannish portion of this entry, I have a question related to the Covid-situation - specifically to the vaccination campaign in your respective countries. Even more specifically, a question regarding the staff that has been "enlisted" to do the vaccination.  

I'm asking because the campaign is a clusterfuck here: we're behind schedule, our stock isn't enough for the number of people who should be vaccinated at the moment, people who belong to the group that is supposed to get vaccinated right now can't get an appointment and so on. Still, the government means to speed things up so they're in the process of enrolling even more people to boost the vaccination drive because doctors, nurses and pharmacists won't be enough. So they're now thinking of enrolling med students, lab technicians, radiographers and... vets! As in veterinarians.

Vets, you guys!

So my question is... are you also going to get vaccinated by vets? And I mean... it's not as if they weren't used to vaccinate and take care of their patients, ok? I know how the jabs work, that there's no need to insert the needle in a vein but... vets. I can't explain why but I haven't managed to get over this piece of information all day. 

I mean... what next? Dart players? (No offense meant to either dart players or vets).

Moving on, moving on. I've made two discoveries this week! Well. The first one isn't a complete discovery as, a few years back, I'd stumbled upon one of their songs and really loved it (as it happens, I remember writing about it here) but let's say this week I really went deep. I'm talking about Super Junior, another k-pop band.

I've listened to them in a loop all week while working - or not, I'm actually listening to them as I type this - and many of their songs are so upbeat and uplifting that it's almost impossible not to start dancing while listening - even on your seat ;) I've been sharing them all around me because they put me in such a happy mood and I'm hoping it'll be the case for others too.

So if you want to dance on your seat while working - or dancing in your living room or while baking... which I've been doing a lot too the past week - I'd rec the following songs: Good Day for a Good Day, Super Clap, House Party (watch the MV on YT and use the subtitles, the lyrics are worth it), Black Suit, Devil, I Think I (and Sorry Sorry, which is an oldie but forever a goodie).

Onto the next discovery now, namely Word of Honor (Chinese drama). Just like with The Untamed I've seen the name pop up a lot recently and since I've been getting into The Untamed, I thought I could give it a try as well; I mean, soul mates going on adventures? Sounds pretty good to me! Then a friend linked me to this vid and let's say my interest increased tenfold. That same evening, I started watching it.

Omg, it was love at first sight! I'm absolutely smitten! 

The two leads' chemistry is off the charts, one of them got himself a fourteen-year-old disciple that they're basically raising together, there are intrigues, revenge, deception, secrets, mysterious childhoods, past traumas, present traumas, men being absolutely adorable towards each other, ruthless killers on the path of redemption, ruthless killers being the softest, friendship and declaration of love - oh, and the most gorgeous outfits...

This drama has Everything and is Everything, basically ♥ I mean... my heart almost can't take it!

Incidentally, the two leads are two of the prettiest men I've seen in my life. And believe me when I say that since getting into k-drama back in November, I've seen a plethora of pretty men but Ah Xu and Lao Wen? Hot damn.

So, ok, we might get our vaccination by vets but at least I live in a world where Super Junior welcomes me in the morning and where Ah Xu and Lao Wen love each other. I mean... it's not so bad, right? ;)

Comments

[starwatcher]

 
I'm so sorry vaccination is going so poorly in France. It does sound like they're grasping at straws. OTOH, those who give the shots just have to stick the needle in the meat of your upper arm; it's not like they have to insert the needle in a vein. (That's quite tricky.) Given that non-med people can successfully give insulin shots to themselves or their children, I think it should be okay.

I'm one of the lucky ones -- New Mexico (with a Democratic governor and legislature) is doing quite well at handling the vaccinations. There are a few glitches, of course, but as of tonight, 16 or 17 25% of our population have both shots, and another 8 or 9 16% have their first shot. (I was remembering from a few days ago; the updated numbers were on tonight's news.)

However, each state runs things their own way, and I have heard news stories of really crappy programs in some states. There are plans (or maybe already happening in some places, I don't know) of using the National Guard (part-time soldiers at the state level) to help with the vaccination programs. Does this mean organization, keeping the people moving, and other support work, or does this also include giving shots? I don't know... but wouldn't be too surprised if it was the latter. And who knows, in that case, how much training they get? OTOH (again), the worst you can get from an insufficiently skilled shot-giver would be a bruised arm... which is far preferable to getting covid.

So, yeah -- if you end up with a bruised arm, you can console yourself with watching the pretty, pretty men. <g>
 

[castalie]

Ok, first things first, I owe you mail! I haven't forgotten, I will get back to you, promise.

I think things are going so poorly here that they're getting a bit desperate. The situation might be improving elsewhere - I heard the UK was getting slightly better? - but it's absolutely not the case here, quite the contrary...

I agree with you all, there's nothing to worry about and I can't say I'm worried in the slightest, it's just, I don't know... vets, you know? It'll pas lol

you can console yourself with watching the pretty, pretty men.

Worth it! lol

[starwatcher]

 
it's just, I don't know... vets, you know?

Have you never had pets that needed medical care? I don't remember you mentioning any.

I've had enough dogs, horses, and cats over the years that I knew the vets even better than my own doctors. They're every bit as medically educated as doctors for humans -- maybe more, since they need to know about several species. Just to point out, I really don't think there's any need to feel concerned if you discover that your shot-giver is a vet.

Regardless, I hope things improve for you (as in, all of you in France, and the larger Europe) soon. Here in New Mexico, they announced on last night's news that, as of next Monday (Apr 5th), anyone over 16 can sign up to get the vaccinations. It's happening soooo much faster than I expected; I thought I'd have to the middle of April to be eligible, and here I'm already 2 weeks past my second dose. \o/

One of the talk-show hosts had a good suggestion a few days ago -- especially in the states with increasing covid numbers (again!), they should prioritize getting the Johnson&Johnson shot to the 20-35 age-range, since they're the ones who are gallivanting about and maintaining the spread, and with the J&J, they don't have to keep track of them for the 2nd shot. It makes a lot of sense... but since this need is the most critical in Republican-run states, that means nothing will be done to implement such potentially useful measures.

It's... really tiresome, the screeching about how masks are an infringement on their "rights". I want to say, "You don't want to mask? Fine. We'll have armed guards stationed outside your house 24/7 to make sure you don't leave until this virus is under control." Somehow, I think they'd quickly decide that masking wasn't such a big deal.
 

[castalie]

Oh, I never doubted their skills and medical knowledge: when you consider they need to take care of patients that cannot even talk, I'd say their tasks is quite tough. This isn't really the issue for me, I'm sorry if it came out like that. It's just the idea... they care for animals and pets. I am neither. I know they will do as good a job as anyone else - it's the idea of them having to do it. If it makes sense, which I know doesn't, really. But would I prefer not getting a jab because they're short in staff? Definitely not, I'll get the shot and don't even car who does it. And I will be grateful whoever does it. Just, argh.

The infringement on rights narrative is absolutely baffling to me. We don't have as many as those around, not in those specific terms, maybe, but we still have people who don't care for masks...

[starwatcher]

 

we still have people who don't care for masks...

See, I get that; I really do. I don't care for masks either, especially since I have a devil of a time keeping them from poking me in the eyes!

BUT! Around here -- where it gets very hot in the summer and calling our manner of dress 'casual' is a vast understatement -- we have a common sign on the doors of businesses: "No shirt, no shoes, no service." No one gets bent out of shape that having to put on a tank-top and flip-flops is an infringement of their 'rights'. So why the big fuss about masks?

Well, we know why -- the unlamented (except by these same assholes) dump. But knowing why doesn't make it sit any better.
 

[turps]

I think I mentioned in a previous comment but our vaccine schedule has been going well. They were even vaccinating the 40 years and up group in some areas of the country after finishing all the vulnerable groups and still say everyone should be done by the summer. Whether that will happen I don't know but the government seems confident.

When the first started the programme vets were approached here too. It makes sense when you think of it as they are used to doing injections. I've read a load of retired nurses, doctors, pharmacists etc have been trained up, and I got my first vaccine from a very handsome man from the army. So I guess anyone who can be trained and is available has been brought in.

I really do hope things get sorted out in France, and elsewhere that are having problems, too. The vaccine gives that light at the end of the tunnel and a hope that this nightmare will eventually end.

Enjoy your shows, though I know you are *g*

[enigel]

You're in the UK, right? Which means your answer covers me as well, since I'm not all that up to date with who's giving the vaccinations. *g*

(To Mouse: I'm not being smug about the UK's success, BTW, I think it comes with being a rich country and wanting to show off on one hand, and with finally getting out of the way of the very skilled people in the NHS instead of giving money to friends of the cabinet ministers on the other hand.)

For the record, I wouldn't mind a vet vaccinating me - the part of me that feels a deep kinship with cats would be pleased. They definitely haven't got to my age range where I live though, and I hear they might be running low on doses...

[castalie]

Oh, be smug if you want, you could be. I'm just really happy to hear it's going better elsewhere, especially when it concerns my friends :)

They definitely haven't got to my age range where I live though, and I hear they might be running low on doses...

On est dans la même galère *nodnod*

[turps]

I am from the UK yes.

It stuck in my mind who was giving the vaccinations as I lurk on a forum with a dedicated COVID topic -- not that I go to it all the time, there's only so much I want to see and deal with -- and their first reaction to the suggestion about vets giving jabs was very much like Mouse's.

Understandable though. If a year ago someone had told me vets would be giving humans injections I would have thought they were out of their minds.

I hope you get your jab asap, I feel for the people who aren't close yet with all the talk about delays and supplies running out.

[castalie]

Wow, vaccinating the 40-year-old and up group already?? Not even in our dreams here. To give you an idea, I've got some great-uncles-aunts in the South of France that managed to get an appointment last Sunday (as in a couple of days ago) and they're 70... As for my parents's group (uncles and aunts, friends) who are in their mid-sixties, most of them haven't gotten an appointment yet.

I'm glad things are doing better in the UK! I've heard that they're slowly starting to open more things at the moment? This is a relief.

Enjoy your shows, though I know you are *g*

Ahaha. Yes. Yes, I am lol

[turps]

Well, some places were vaccinating the 40 years and up. Some areas were rattling through the age groups others slower. But, still it was going well. Things are going to slow again now though, with them concentrating on getting second doses done. Even so, it appears we're miles ahead of France. It's horrible to think the vulnerable and elderly still don't have that protection.

We are starting to open more things up. From last Monday six people or two families could meet outside and outside sports could start again. Then from the 12th non-essential shops will reopen and we'll be able to eat in restaurants, cafes and pubs as long as they have outdoor tables.

I saw France has gone into a tighter lockdown. That had to be hard to hear.

[castalie]

I saw France has gone into a tighter lockdown. That had to be hard to hear.


My area was already subjected to the tighter lockdown (well, whatever it wants to be called) so nothing changed for me but it did mean that the rest of the country joined our "club". And they closed schools so there is that.