2010
like those PSAs i had to read on my college radio show
maura @ 8:50 am
This morning my left arm feels like someone punched me. Not because someone punched me, but because yesterday I got an H1N1 shot AND a seasonal flu shot. And I would like to use this space to make a public service announcement (similar to one in the NY Times this AM: everyone, get yr flu shots! Both are recommended, but especially the H1N1 shot.
Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m not in a high-risk group, and no one in my household is either.” Or “my kid got one, why do I need one too?” Or even “I got a seasonal flu shot one year and got the flu anyway, which sucked.” I thought all of those things, and the last one happened to me a few years ago. But then I talked to my dad (who’s a doctor) last month and he reminded me that vaccinations only work if people get them, even the ones for supposedly mild illnesses. (Have you seen the stats for people who die of seasonal flu each year?)* And also that even though H1N1 has been light this year there could be a resurgence in a couple of months (also noted in the Times article).
* For the record, I found that article link on Wikipedia, after floundering around the flu section of the CDC website for a few minutes. You’d think this info would be oft-requested and linked prominently on the CDC site.
If you’re a reader from the fine borough of Brooklyn, I highly recommend the NYC Department of Health’s Fort Greene Health Center. I walk by their building at 295 Flatbush Ave Ext every day on my way to work, and it is grim + dreary on the outside (drag the little yellow man onto the map to see the entrance using google street view). But I was pleasantly surprised when I went in there yesterday. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and patient, and the building is neat + clean (w/no yucky hospital smell). There was practically no wait when I went over there at about 11:15am, too, though the waiting room did fill up as lunchtime grew nearer.
And that’s my PSA for this week. We now return you to your regularly scheduled mauraweb!
(Oh, and apparently I keep spacing out on Twitter Tuesdays, sorry! I’ve been quiet on Twitter this week anyway so I’ll catch up w/a double dose next week.)
6 comments on “like those PSAs i had to read on my college radio show”
Dude, that sucks! Yeah, availability’s been pretty good here, but I know it’s not the same everywhere. My sister’s family hasn’t gotten them yet either. Here they are mostly doing kids in the schools but the other clinics are open to kids as well. Gus got his second dose yesterday and was thrilled that it was a nasal mist rather than a shot.
The boys got misted at school, but the rest of us are w/o anything…seems like there were a few long lines for babies & pregnant ladies (not me anymore!). I guess Madeleine could have waited in line 2 hours but that’s not really feasible some days. Our dr. has nothing, you pretty much have to go to Walgreen’s or something but as soon as you hear about it they’re out. Well I will put this on Ben’s to-do list!
Ooh, awesome! What games did you get? We got Super Mario Bros Wii which is fantastic and which I plan to blog about soon. And I got Wii Sports Resort which is hilarious. Archery! Also I KICK BUTT at the basketball free throws game, which is a hoot since I can barely even dribble a basketball IRL.
Beatles Rock Band — see my FB note for comments/situational comedy/etc. Also some sports games, not sure if anyone’s tried those.
Maybe I’m thinking, “Where the heck do I get one? My doctor doesn’t have any.”