La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
We had our Covid and flu shots this morning. My appointment was 8:27 and San Geraldo’s was 8:29. There were less than five people outside the office. As each person arrived, they asked the others, “What number are you?” or “What time are you?” The appointment slips display the time of your appointment. Sometimes, they also display a number. The time is what matters.
That being said, the staff have the master list and call each patient in order, by name. But that doesn’t stop anyone in the hall asking, “What number are you?” The first man to answer said, “I don’t have a number. I just have a time. 8:21.” The new man then asked each of us, “What number are you?” I and a couple of others explained that we didn’t all have numbers and the time was what mattered. Given that people getting their shots right now are mostly over 70, I think their historic experience of Spain’s public health system through the years is different from how things are done now — mostly efficiently. So, many of the patients are anxious and want to make sure they understand how things are working and that supplies won’t run out before their turns.
We were there for a half hour and I thought I might pop my cork. One man arrived just in time for his 8:25 appointment, but of course they were running behind schedule. He asked everyone and their mother what their numbers were. There was a woman at 8:21, another at 8:23, then SG and I. I told him he was after her and before me. He turned his back on me and asked someone else. I think he judged me worthless because I had an accent. He was unbelievably rude. That someone then asked me and I again explained. The rude man kept his back to me. Asshole. When the door opened, he yelled at the first woman to “Go, go!” She did so hesitantly and was then asked by the nurse to please wait outside for a moment. Then her name was called. The minute the door opened again, the jerk ran inside. I heard the nurse say, “Just a moment.”
Another new man came over to chat with me to confirm where he was positioned in the line. He was also nervous. I told him he was after SG and then said, “But they’re calling our names when it’s our turn.” He said, “Yes, they do call our names. What time is your appointment.” Oh, dear god. One poor woman was sent upstairs by her doctor who told her she didn’t need an appointment. She had no idea where to stand.
When it was my turn, the young nurse called my name, saw my face and said, “Oh, but this is only for people over the age of 75.” (Bless her heart.) THAT had everyone running to the door. “I’m 77!” “I’m 76!” I told her why I was there this round and she understood immediately. But she said we had to wait for her colleague to return (she did within a minute) with the Covid vaccines for those under 75 and she confirmed that despite my maladies, I still get the vaccine intended for my age.
San Geraldo gets a bit hyper about these events but most of these people today made him look calm. When we first arrived, he chattered to me and asked non-stop questions. He then asked, “Do you get anxious when you have to do this?” I replied, “Only when I’m with you.” Lucky for me, he thought that was funny.
So, how about you? Do you get anxious?
By the way, Claude and at least one of the redheads (super red shrimp) were feasting all over the tank yesterday evening after I completed my blog post. They looked well fed. The new shrimp haven’t yet arrived at the shop, so SG has to wait until the middle of next week.
Esta mañana nos pusimos las vacunas contra la covid y la gripe. Mi cita era a las 8:27 y la de San Geraldo, a las 8:29. Había menos de five personas fuera de la consulta. A medida que llegaba cada persona, preguntaba a los demás: «¿Qué número tienes?» o «¿A qué hora te toca?». En los justificantes de la cita aparece la hora; a veces, también figura un número. Pero lo que realmente importa es la hora.
Dicho esto, el personal tiene la lista maestra y llama a cada paciente, en orden, por su nombre. Pero eso no impide que alguien en el pasillo pregunte: “¿Qué número eres?”. El primer hombre que respondió dijo: “No tengo un número. Sólo tengo una hora. La mía es 8:21”. Luego, el nuevo hombre nos preguntó a cada uno de nosotros: “¿Qué número sois?” Un par de personas más y yo explicamos que no todos teníamos números y que lo que importaba era el tiempo. Dado que las personas que se vacunan en este momento son en su mayoría mayores de 70 años, creo que su experiencia histórica del sistema de salud pública español a lo largo de los años es diferente de cómo se hacen las cosas ahora: en su mayoría de manera eficiente. Por eso, muchos de los pacientes están ansiosos y quieren asegurarse de que entienden cómo funcionan las cosas y que los suministros no se acabarán antes de su turno.
Estuvimos allí media hora y pensé que podría descorchar el corcho. Un hombre llegó justo a tiempo para su cita de las 8:25, pero, por supuesto, iban retrasados. Les preguntó a todos y a su madre cuáles eran sus números. Había una mujer a las 8:21, otra a las 8:23, luego SG y yo. Le dije que él estaba detrás de ella y antes que yo. Me dio la espalda y le preguntó a alguien más. Creo que me consideró inútil porque tenía acento. Fue increíblemente grosero. Entonces alguien me preguntó y le volví a explicar. El hombre grosero me dio la espalda. Estúpido. Cuando se abrió la puerta, le gritó a la primera mujer: “¡Ve, ve!” Lo hizo con vacilación y luego la enfermera le pidió que esperara afuera un momento. Entonces la llamaron por su nombre. En el momento en que la puerta se abrió de nuevo, el imbécil entró corriendo. Escuché a la enfermera decir: “Un momento”.
Otro hombre nuevo se acercó a charlar conmigo para confirmar dónde estaba ubicado en la fila. Él también estaba nervioso. Le dije que estaba detrás de SG y luego dije: “Pero nos están llamando por nuestros nombres cuando es nuestro turno”. Él dijo: “Sí, nos llaman por nuestro nombre. ¿A qué hora es su cita?”. Oh, querido dios. El médico envió a una mujer pobre al piso de arriba y le dijo que no necesitaba una cita. No tenía idea de dónde pararse.
Cuando llegó mi turno, la joven enfermera me llamó por mi nombre, vio mi cara y dijo: “Oh, pero esto es sólo para personas mayores de 75 años”. (Bendita sea su corazón.) ESO hizo que todos corrieran hacia la puerta. “¡Tengo 77 años!” “¡Tengo 76 años!” Le dije por qué estaba allí en esta ronda y ella lo entendió de inmediato. Pero dijo que teníamos que esperar a que su colega regresara (lo hizo al cabo de un minuto) con las vacunas Covid para los menores de 75 años y confirmó que a pesar de mis enfermedades, sigo recibiendo la vacuna destinada a mi edad.
San Geraldo se pone un poco nervioso con estos eventos, pero la mayoría de estas personas hoy lo hicieron parecer tranquilo. Cuando llegamos por primera vez, charló conmigo y me hizo preguntas sin parar. Luego preguntó: “¿Te pones ansioso cuando tienes que hacer esto?” Respondí: “Sólo cuando estoy contigo”. Por suerte para mí, pensó que era divertido.
Entonces, ¿qué hay de ti? ¿Te pones ansioso?
Por cierto, Claude y al menos una de las pelirrojas (súper camarones rojos) estuvieron dándose un festín por todo el tanque ayer por la tarde después de que terminé mi publicación en el blog. Parecían bien alimentados. Los nuevos camarones aún no han llegado a la tienda, por lo que SG tiene que esperar hasta mediados de la próxima semana.
• Caminando por una calle encantadora, uno se topa con esta desafortunada propiedad amurallada.
• Supongo que esconde algo que en su día fue grandioso.
• Eché un vistazo a través de un hueco en la verja, pero lo único que pude ver fue esto.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
It’s times like that you really need headphones, and to play something very loud. Like Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries or similar…
That house/garden is a bit mysterious – I wonder if anyone will ever buy it and restore it? Jx
Jon:
It will definitely be renovated or redeveloped. Everything is around here.
Headphones are a good idea except I’m one of those suckers who would constantly remove them to respond to people instead of just completely zoning out.
The walled property, what do the signs say? Is it occupied, for sale? There was a house in my city neighborhood that was fenced all around the property that was completely overgrown, not an inch or yard space that was clear, full of trees and saplings and all other kinds of unrestrained growth, just a path to the door. And yes, someone lived there.
Where do they get all those millions of little flat rocks for those floor mosaics?
ellen abbott:
The signs only indicate that the property is protected by a security company and their number is posted.
The patios are made of river stones that are supposedly from the Guadalquivir River.
Ooh, what a sad mess on those stairs 🙁
In my experience, you never know what things will be like on line for your vaccines… glad your experience wasn’t worse (what a jerk that guy was… uggh). Yesterday at lunch, one of the ladies (the organizer of our group) said that she wasn’t sure if she’d get the latest Covid booster… I looked at her and said, with such a questioning look on my face…”Why not?” I feel that way about people who question getting a flu shot… like my husband used to (he was happy to put lots of kinds of drugs into his system, but a flu shot? aspirin? oh, heavens, no — grrrr). Then, he got real Influenza one year… he was so so so sick…so sick. He said that he would never go without getting the flu shot again. Then, two years later, he said, “I don’t think I need a flu shot.” I sighed the biggest sigh of frustration. He did get his shot 🙂
Judy C:
Argh, the ignorance around vaccines. I never got flu shots because I was young and didn’t think I needed to although I was hit with a nightmarish case of the flu every year. Finally, in 1987 in Guilford, I had the flu and was set up downstairs on the family room sofa bed, because I couldn’t make it up the stairs. SG was, of course, taking exceptional care of me for nearly 2 days and then he came down with the worst case of flu he’d ever had. We were both on the sofa bed. From that year on (1987) we have both gotten flu shots. I still sometimes get the flu, but never like the versions I used to have.
Balder Half and I got our shots a couple of weeks ago after our San Diego visit. I’m glad we waited until after because I got sick as a mildly sick dog. I usually do. I think it’s the flu shot that does it. Balder Half doesn’t suffer from any side effects at all so I do double duty. It’s only fair since I never got morning sickness, but he did. The online appointment thingy said the appointments were full until December so we walked in thinking that there would be a crowd. Three people there. We were in and out in no time at all. I’m rambling again. I am enjoying the Aquarium Chronicles. You guys have a nice weekend, Scoot.
Deedles:
I used to usually get sick, too. And couldn’t even use my arm for a couple of days. My arm was sore last night but is already greatly improved. BH even got morning sickness for you! That man is a saint! (And he’s been going through labor ever since.)
I get my Covid and flu shots at Walmart’s pharmacy. I make my appointment online and usually have to wait just a few minutes before the pharmacist has me come back into the room they have just for that purpose. Takes about five minutes and I’m on my way to do my shopping. All my vaccination info. is sent to my primary care doctor’s office. Easy peasy.
TexasTrailerParkTrash:
That’s a nice, easy system. Public Health is just a few minutes walk from us so, except for my complaining about the nervous wrecks that were there yesterday, it really is easy. Next year, we’ll just keep our distance.
I hope that you have no reaction to the shots. I had mine a couple of weeks ago. The Covid shot was in my left arm, and the flu vaccine was in my right arm. I felt quite crappy the next day, and my left side hurt like hell, and I had a monster headache. But once the day was done, I was feeling better. One day of discomfort is a small price to pay for not getting either covid or the flu.
Michael:
I often have some sort of reaction but am feeling fine so far. And my arm, which was sore last night, is already improving.
Got my boosters before leaving on the trip to the land of the great un-vaxxed. Glad for it; friends wife proudly proclaimed that they both had Covid and survived without getting and shots.
Rade:
Well, isn’t your friend’s wife special! What do you even say to that?
“Better luck next time”?
Oh my goodness Mitchell, your experience at the vaccine clinic sounds like a Monty Python skit! Chuck and I go for our shots in ten days or so fingers crossed. I am fully expecting an email stating that our appointments will have to be rescheduled as they have run out of vaccines. Has happened before. This will be the first time we are getting both at once so I am a little anxious about that. I am sure we will feel crappy the next day. I am enjoying your aquarium adventures!
robin of chuckandrobin:
Truth is it WAS pretty funny. Next year, I will simply step away. We always get ours at the same time now. Sometimes I’m a little “off” for a day, but not always. It’s more than 24 hours later and I feel fine. When we lived at the beach, I remember them running out of vaccines at the pharmacy (where you can buy them yourself and then go to a clinic for administration). But Public Health always had them.
I started sweating and gettingannoyed just reading this!!! I’m sorry you went through that. How frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaargh!
Kathleen:
Yeah, but what number are you?
I have always wanted a walled garden at the front of my house. Our home in Miami had one and I loved opening the gate and being in a garden before you go into the house!
Bob:
I love the walled gardens. I remember them in Florida and in Southern California.
We are getting our shots flu and covid next week. Same system here with a time, no number. All done at the drugstore by the nurse. We have done this so many times there is no anxiety. Your photos are beautiful and now I also have mine.
larrymuffin:
When we lived in California, we used to get our flu shots at the drugstore. Sometimes my insurance (through the University of Calironia) gave me a hard time about covering the $26. They were always wrong, but I would spend months arguing with them.
I didn’t have to make an appointment or wait in line for a flu shot at the medical facility I use for such things. I may be benefiting from the blase attitude so many people still have about getting flu shots. I was going to wait for my check-up to get a covid shot, unless I turn on the news and find there’s a new strain out there, in which case I’ll do it sooner.
Kirk:
We like to stay ahead with the covid and flu shots.
I had my shots yesterday and it was much more relaxed than your experience sounds! People were arriving in the waiting room and sitting quietly. I must have been first, as a lovely lady popped her head in and said my name and off I went with her for the jabs in the arm…..now have a very sore arm as I had them both the same side!
Frances
Frances:
The nurse encouraged me to do different arms. The Covid arm was sore last night but is already much better. But, still, what was your number?
I get nervous just reading that. I went the other morning to the pharmacy at the supermarket, walk in no appointment, it took maybe five minutes, there was one person behind me.
David:
That sounds like a breeze.
What a zoo! I’m getting my covid & flu shots on Tuesday morning at a local pharmacy.
Debra:
Much less complicated for you. But do you know your number?
Who’s on first?
Etc.
I can get my shots at the Publix pharmacy which is quite convenient. I would never get both the flu and covid ones at the same time. I am what might be called an “over-reactor.” I’m knocked out for a day and have to plan to get vaccinated when I have a day or two to recover while meanwhile Mr. Moon hardly ever reacts at all which I’m sure makes him feel manly.
How nice to be recognized as a young buck instead of a senior citizen.
Mary Moon:
I tend to be an over-reactor, too, while SG usually doesn’t notice anything. I thought I was fine this time around. Even my arm soreness didn’t get as bad as usual. But after breakfast today, I hit a wall and haven’t been up for doing much. It does seem like it’s passing now. Maybe I shouldn’t go so far as claiming to be perceived as a young buck, but she didn’t think I looked 75. And usually, 20-somethings think everyone looks 75.
“Young buck” is such a funny phrase, isn’t it?
Well, in SG’s defense, that whole scenario DOES sound anxiety-making! Dave got his Covid and flu shots at a nearby pharmacy. I haven’t been invited to get them, though I might go ask if I can.
Steve:
In Fuengirola we would be notified and assigned a day and time. Here in Córdoba, it seems to be up to us to keep track of when it’s open to our age bracket. And, yes, it is admittedly anxiety making.
I got my flu and COVID vaccinations on Thursday, both in my left arm, and wasn’t a bit anxious, but no one was acting like an asshole. I went to Walgreen’s. Some people were waiting for prescriptions. I was the only one there for vaccines. The young lady who gave me the shots was very nice and I made a little fuss over her, telling her what a great job she did, because people need extra love these days. My arm was a tiny bit sore yesterday, but hardly noticeable with all the other stuff I have going on. Hope you and SG enjoy the rest of your weekend, Scooter.
Love,
Janie
Janie:
Glad yours went well. My Covid arm got quickly better today, but I did end up feeling a bit under the weather. Nothing awful and I’m much better now.