How an RNA vaccine actually works.

For trepkos and others...

How Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Works

Moderna's Vaccine What You Need to Know

( excerpt )

Day #261

Reading for pleasure sort of

Started listening to Barack Obama's audio book A Promised Land - he has a good reading voice. Although listening to it, I've begun to understand why he turned off a lot of working class folks. He clearly came from an upper middle class background, and is rather wealthy. With vacations to Hawaii and Africa. Also went to a private school, and to Harvard Law School. In short - well-connected, and seems somewhat oblivious to this. Not quite realizing that he was able to do things that many aren't.

That said, it's fascinating, and he makes an excellent point about racial inequalities, and the fact that he had no idea he'd get elected.

Other things, I'm reading? X-men comics, which are not superhero comics. A lot of folks think they are. They aren't. ( Read more... )

I put most of that behind a cut, because I know not everyone likes comics. Everyone has their line in the sand regarding pop culture. Mine is video, board and role playing games - the appeal is completely lost on me. So I get it.

Watching on television

Watched Happiest Season on Hulu last night. Took me a while to find it. I thought it was on either Netflix or Amazon Prime, no, it's on Hulu.
It is good. ( Read more... )

Other things

Irritable today. Period started after 87 days. But guess what? No thyroid issues. It's officially perimenopause going into actual menopause.( Read more... )

Took a walk to the grocery store after work. Picked up a few things. Came home. It was cool, but not too cold. I wore a light down jacket. Sky was blue with scant clouds. Nice evening for a walk.

New York vs. the Corona Virus

Governor came on with Dr. Fauci - basically to have Dr. Fauci reiterate that the Governor is doing all the right things. And to back up the Governor's game plan. They spent twenty minutes patting each other on the back. The Governor's birthday was yesterday, apparently.

Fauci made it clear that the current spike in cases is NOT Thanksgiving, but actually the weeks before. There's a two week lag from the point of exposure. We shouldn't see the Thanksgiving cases until the start of next week, which leads into the Christmas rush, which means the two surges will collide, and unless we mitigate the situation soon - January is going to be a very dark time in our country and world.

Yep. Staten Island right now has the highest death rate in the state, according to the Governor. Who ranted about the police office who was run over by a bar/restaurant owner - when the press asked him what he thought about it. [Shout out to friends in Staten Island? Hope you are all okay? Please stay safe.]

Western, New York (basically Erie County, Buffalo and Rochester) have the highest number of cases - at 7%. A flip from the spring. Still, NY is lower than most everyone else. The only places lower than NY are Vermont, Main, and Hawaii. I'm beginning to think I should just move to either Main, Vermont or Hawaii when I retire. You'd think Alaska would be safe, but Alaska is stupid.

Per the Governor's email, which is also a summary of the briefing.
( Governor's Email )

In other words, they are going back to the protocols they put in place in April and May, in preparation for the surge. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst approach.

Family

Had a lovely conversation with my niece tonight, who truly is the child of my heart. ( Read more... )

Day #32 of the 50 Day Book Challenge

The prompt is A book from your childhood.

The Westing Game by Ellen Ranskin

I vaguely remember doing an oral book report on it in the sixth grade. I created puppets for each of the characters. And a board game of sorts.

The book is kind of "Knives Out" for the elementary school set. It's also a satire of capitalism.

Book Review

( spoilery book review )

There was apparently a movie done in 1997 entitled "Get a Clue" but from the trailer and reviews? I'd skip the movie and just read the book. I adored it as a child. It's kind of a puzzle box of a book. And very witty. One of the better satires that I've read.

Day #28 of the 60 Days of Gratitude

The prompt is What about your home are you grateful for>

It is is quiet and has indirect light in the office living room, with a nice view of trees and sky.

Both are important right now. Because of where my apartment is located in my building - it's very quiet. I don't hear any street traffic. No sirens. Nothing. Occasionally voices in the hallway, or stomping down the steps. I might hear people out in the courtyard or behind me. But mostly, it's quiet.

And the indirect light - keeps them apartment from getting too hot in the summer, and reduces glare.

There are many other things I'm grateful for as well. But those two I'll mention here.