Congrats, askye!

Yay hugs, Steph!

The university where I work was doing relatively well, COVID-wise. Then frats happened. Oh, well. I'm still working from home regardless, but a number of people who were working really hard to keep face to face learning a thing are kinda pissed. Can't blame 'em.

Fuck YES, Ohio is expanding vaccine eligibility to people 40 years or older as of Friday! (Apparently people with cancer will also be eligible as of Friday, and my reaction was "They weren't already eligible? What the FUCK, Ohio?" Our vaccine system is so screwed up.)

Congrats, askye!

Teppy, I was already glad you got pizza and dad-hugs (and that Mr. Risk has been vaccinated). Now you can get the vaccine? Woo hoo!

Flea, Jessica, and any other parents in this situation — I do not envy you. None of your choices are great. Whatever you choose, I know you both will do the best you can for your kids.

But UGGGGHHHHHH why risk anything if we don't have to? The school year only has three months left!

The above is what I keep thinking, when I hear reports on reopening schools by April. I think this year is a wash, even if they go back from April 'til June. Most kids of this generation are going to be six months to a year behind, academically, regardless of whether they return right now or in September. You can't make up 13 months in two. It's both horrible and yet okay, because they're largely in the same boat. "Behind," after all, just pertains to an artificially imposed schedule.

I think, if my kids weren't unduly burdened by depression, anxiety, or learning disabilities (or other serious problems stemming from remote learning), if I had to make this choice, I would keep them home until fall. I don't see them getting that much out of a return to school (that won't be lost over the summer anyhow), this late in the academic year. However, if staying home was too hard on them, and they were less likely to be contract severe Covid, or develop longterm effects from it, I might make another choice.

Admittedly, I'm writing from the perspective of a mother whose child's life was upended, and whose body was permanently damaged, by a chronic disease. Your concerns are going to be different than mine. Some things you can fix, address, or mitigate after the fact. Some things you can't.

It's got to be incredibly difficult to weigh how they're doing, the risks of returning versus remaining, and make that decision. Trust your gut. You know your kids better than anyone.

The university where I work was doing relatively well, COVID-wise. Then frats happened. Oh, well. I'm still working from home regardless, but a number of people who were working really hard to keep face to face learning a thing are kinda pissed. Can't blame 'em.

Calli, I'd be furious. If I were King of the College Forest, I'd bounce them all out on their youthful bottoms. I'm so glad you can work from home.

Ohio is allowing 16 year olds to be vaccinated as of March 29, which could be a big factor in sending Casper (17) back - if she goes it would be April 6 start date. But I think only one if the vaccines is approved for under 18 and I think it’s Pfizer (two doses, less available). Must check. (Edit: this is correct.)

Flea, yes. It's Pfizer (2-shots) which is currently authorized for ages 16 and up

Moderna (2-shots) and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson for 18 and up. I saw something on the news this morning about Moderna testing the vaccine on younger people right now, too (under age 12). [link]

Moderna is running a 12-17 trial here in my city! We tried to sign up but they were full. Casper is 18 in August, and those 5 months probably don’t make much difference biologically, but oh well.

Unrelated to anything, we made the Tik Tok pasta that ate the internet last night and it was freaking delicious. The kids really know what they're about.

we made the Tik Tok pasta that ate the internet last night and it was freaking delicious.

The feta and tomato dealie? It looks really good!

It really is. And even though it's super easy it's also kind of fun to make. Recommended!

Hmm. I was googling some stuff, and it's recommended that people who had Covid and were treated with monoclonal antibodies should wait 90 days after having Covid to get vaccinated. Apparently because having those monoclonal antibodies can actually reduce the efficacy of the vaccine because it basically stops the vaccine from working before it gets started. That's from the CDC. So I guess I need to wait until the beginning of May. That's fair.