Penny Lane

Penny Lane

Got it, thanks.

I couldn't think of another title.

kiamay

TFTNT!

And the PCR tests are not free - only if you have symptoms. But we get the quick tests for free once a week which is nice... plus the ones you can buy in the supermarkets. But for flying you'd need a PCR test. Many airlines have started doing their own as far as I know though. If you booked a flight, it could be included.

The vaccination isn't going as quickly as expected. Only about 10% of the population so far. The fact that we rely rather heavily on the British vaccine is also a problem since they are not delivering as planned and due to the (very tiny) thrombotic risk they have also stopped giving it to people under 60.
But I guess it should be my turn around the end of April/beginning of May.
Hoping for the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine

Penny Lane

No problem.

Good to know! I guess I'll find out when I'm ready to travel.

Why do you prefer Pfizer? Unless you get the vaccine at a hospital, you won't get that one.

kiamay

They have the best numbers by far in terms of efficacy. Everyone wants it. Might also be a national pride thing
No, but seriously, they ordered a lot of it as well. Only small amounts of Moderna (which I would also totally take) as far as I know and the rest hasn't been approved yet.

Got a text from a friend recently that about sums it up
"Vaccines are a lot like drinks at a party. Biontech is the great stuff that everyone wants. Astra Zeneca is like Oettinger (not a very popular beer). Will get the job done, but you only drink it when nothing else is left.
Moderna tastes alright, but nobody really knows it.
Sputnik is the absinthe some freaks bring to the party late at night. Will get you hammered, but you also heard that it could make you blind.
The guys who drove to the petrol station to get Johnson & Johnson aren't back yet."

It's interesting how things are so different depending on where you live, how the vaccines were promoted and how much is available.

ETA we have vaccination centres. They can store the vaccines properly. They just started including regular doctors in the process. There wasn't enough vaccine before.

Penny Lane

Yea, I think that's a Germany thing. After both doses, Pfizer is 95% effective and Moderna is 94.1% effective. They are both 80% effective after the first dose. That's not a big difference at all.

kiamay

Since we mostly have Biontech and Astra, the winner is pretty clear

I'll take anything that passes EMA (European Medicines Agency)
I'm not throwing away my shot... and I won't get rid of that song for days now

How is your weekend going?

Penny Lane

Well, I hope you're able to get it soon! There was a sense of relief that came after I got it.

I am currently working on a presentation for a conference that I'll be moderating on Friday! It's part of my fellowship and about my research on mental health in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María.

kiamay

Oh that sounds really interesting! Do you like that part of your work or not so much?

And that must be pretty amazing. I am looking forward to it.
Have your family members and friends already been vaccinated as well?

Little_Stewie

TFTNT!!!

How I miss going to conferences!!!

Penny Lane

Thank you! Well, I'll be expanding my research when I go to grad school which I wouldn't be doing if I didn't love the work.

I have a link to the conference if you'd like to see me present.

I am the only one in my family to be vaccinated so far. A few of my friends are vaccinated.

kiamay

Uhhhhh! When exactly are you presenting?

And a friend of mine loves doing the research part but hates presenting. That's why I was wondering

Little_Stewie

Btw, the title of this thread totally reminded me of this song:



Hmm, embedding doesn't seem to be working. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/a4JSE32fuOc

Penny Lane

On Friday, between 2pm and 3pm. Oh, I thought you meant the work, not presenting! I don't mind presenting.

I fixed it for you, Stewie.

Little_Stewie

Thanks!

Yeah, presenting is tough at first, but it gets easier with time.