Heard on Main Street: I do read The Times, pretty much all of the time. Don Keller surprised me; he wrote that he’d read The Times stories about COVID vaccinations and possible timelines. What? I hadn’t seen any timelines. I just figured sometime in February. Now February is only a few days away.
Reassurance would be nice. As would be some real information. The hospital operator suggested we keep an eye on The Times. I do find that a good idea.
My kids suggested I should ask my doctor. They said they didn’t know anything — call the hospital. I called the hospital and they said call your doctor. They did say they were giving shots to frontline workers, as they should. But when do those of us over 65 find out where to sign up? Does anyone know who we are?
I prefer to go to the pharmacist to get my flu shot. But he doesn’t know what to do either.
My cousins in England were called, given an appointment, and have already had the first shot. Same thing with friends in Connecticut. Is there an Island plan?
A younger friend in Florida is a pharmacist at Walgreens. She got hers after she agreed to give vaccinations when an excessive amount was given to a nursing home. The excess was going to be thrown away in a few days if not used. Evidently one vial is good for several doses. After removal from deep freeze, the stuff is only good for six days in refrigeration. So someplace in Florida was happy to use it up.
Another thing I have learned: The vaccination is not effective without the second shot, and to be effective the second shot should be given within a few days of three weeks.
Learn about White Sharks on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 3:15 pm. Kristen Kibblehouse from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy presents an interactive program online for all ages. This question-and-answer session will answer the questions you have about sharks, research, and careers in the world of sharks. White sharks are needed to maintain a healthy marine ecosystem. School students are encouraged to join in. Email sevans@clamsnet.org for Zoom link.
Congrats to the SSA. According to a friend in Seattle who was making a ferry reservation for next summer, the new SSA computer reservation system works beautifully. That’s something I haven’t heard in a while. She was eager to get back to the Island and so pleased with how well it worked. And that was back at the beginning. You guys are definitely doing it right.
I had heard stories this summer that Islanders were selling places they’d kept as rentals. The Island reaching a high of over a billion dollars in real estate sales is crazy. It is not good for those needing affordable housing, which was already a serious problem here. We need our local people who provide the critical services to be able to afford to stay on-Island. No wonder the hospital is planning to provide housing for nurses in peak season. The rest of us need to remember that we need those services as well.
Want to know more about our new vice president? The State Library will offer an author talk on Tuesday, Feb 2, at 7 pm on Zoom. Dan Moran, author of “Kamala’s Way,” and Liz Goodwin of the Boston Globe will talk about this new biography. It’s free. Register at bit.ly/2MkLLHW.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out tomorrow to town accountant Suzanne Kennedy. Wish the best to Susie Thurber on Sunday. Monday belongs to Beau Linderson, hope he still loves Legos. Also on Monday good wishes to Paul Watts. Jessica Shannon parties on Tuesday. Happy birthday on Wednesday to Nancy Tutko Hanschka.
Heard on Main Street: “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” (Charles Schultz)
If you have any Tisbury Town Column suggestions, email Kay Mayhew, tashmoorock@gmail.com.
