To vaccine or not to vaccine

I know for some people, this is not an easy answer. 

For me, I had zero hesitation. I happily get the flu vaccine every year. I've never had a reaction. And I very rarely get the flu. In fact, in general, I'm in better health because of it. I got all my vaccines as a kid, and as I get older and qualify for others, I'll be the first in line. 

I know the covid vaccines are the best options to protect me, protect my loved ones, protect the other people around me, protect my massage clients, and to get back to any regular way of life with big hugs, big smiles, and live entertainment and interpersonal interactions. The reactions are 1,000,000 to 1 to get any sort of major reaction. 

I got the Pfizer vaccine. Both shots, and besides a sore arm, I had zero reaction other than the feelings of hope, and more peace-of-mind that I'm doing my part. 

Recently, I spoke to someone who's not gotten the covid vaccine yet. She believes she had a major reaction to the flu shot years ago, unfortunately, it's the only time she'd ever gotten a flu shot. So I decided to do a little research. 

So what I was looking for was a list of ingredients and properties of a flu shot, and then the same of the 3 covid vaccine shots available in the US. Because the flu shot gives dead flu cells that create antibodies but should not cause the flu. The covid vaccines don't actually contain any version of the virus. They contain RNA that's been genetically engineered to look like the covid virus which also creates the antibodies but couldn't give you covid. 

This is what I was looking for: 

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html#Appendix-C

and

https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/flu-shot-ingredients#side-effects

Some other findings that are interesting: 

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/think-the-covid-19-vaccine-isnt-good-enough-it-may-be-more-effective-than-the-flu-shot#The-side-effects-seem-to-be-more-intense-with-COVID-19-vaccines

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321207#benefits

However, the websites do say that the reaction to the covid vaccine is generally the same or stronger than the reaction to a flu shot. And that if you've had an adverse reaction to a flu shot, it may not be recommended to get the covid vaccine. But that you should speak to your doctor about it and determine the best course of action, or maybe the safest shot for you to get. 

I also know of people that have gotten covid, or gotten sick at the same time as the flu or covid shot, but it wasn't from the shot. It was that they were otherwise exposed and just happen to get very sick at the same time, because it takes 2 weeks after the shot to develop the antibodies and protect you. So if you happen to have already been exposed and have it in your system, the shot won't help that day. 

There are new options frequently. And generally strong reactions are 1 in a million and will quickly go away, as opposed to getting covid, which doesn't guarantee you'll ever get better. But I do recommend checking the cdc.gov website for up-to-date information and to speak to your doctor. 

I also some people waiting for the vaccines to be approved by the FDA and not just for emergency use. But if you've seen my documentary, "Fighting For Allergy-Free Food" you'll know that the FDA is not the end-all be-all for protecting us the way we want. The reason the vaccines were developed so quickly, is partially because the researchers/scientists already knew that a global pandemic would most likely be on the horizon. We'd had major scares before with Sars and Ebola and an airborne one was just around the corner. They were already working on the technology and knew it had to be done fast, safely, and efficiently. They couldn't start testing yet, but they each did the same extensive testing that all vaccines do. It just happened a little faster than we knew, because it had to. I know several people who were in the vaccine trials and I appreciate them. For more answers, look at the CDC.gov website. 

Please keep wearing your mask, washing your hands, be considerate of all others whether or not you agree with them, and be well!

Dear President-Elect Biden

 

Dr. President-Elect Biden,

 Congratulations on winning the election. I look forward to having someone sane running the country.

 I have never written to a President before. I waited until I had something I felt was important enough to say.

 When the pandemic hit, I had no idea what was coming. I was woefully naïve about how long it would continue to effect our daily lives. But I was encouraged by one single thought: That the President could absolutely no longer continue to say things like, “America First” and focus only on what’s “best” for the USA, because we were now in a GLOBAL situation. We would all be in this TOGETHER. It was a spiritual opportunity. And if we wanted to find solutions, we were going to have to work together as members of a global alliance. I stupidly pictured leaders across the world discussing what worked for their country, and others following suit. Sharing research, ideas, supplies and hope. That’s something I constantly wonder why we don’t do more of in general. What country has the best education system, the best health care, the least cancer, the happiest people, etc? But of course, I was terribly, depressingly, completely wrong. Once Corona hit the US, it was no longer an international story in the news. It became our story alone. I was again completely disheartened by our “leadership” and their total lack of foresight, compassion, understanding, and in fact, their humanity. I sincerely hope we will not continue to make the same mistake and miss the chance to unite with countries around the world and work together to bring this pandemic to an end. And I hope the media follows suit. I want to be as aware of what’s happening around the world as they are aware of our embarrassing daily news cycle.

 Those are the burning hopes I have for our country.

Since you’ve read this far, I would also like to say that I would have no problem understanding if you moved the inauguration to somewhere small and safe. Just televise it. We really don’t need to put everyone at risk.

Lastly, although I understand the importance of having senator’s and representative’s votes be known by their constituents, I also find there would be great benefit to have certain votes be completely anonymous. I believe in my heart of hearts that if there were anonymous votes on issues such as impeaching the President, you’d have a lot more votes agreeing with the democrats. Because Trump couldn’t threaten people if he didn’t know how they voted. I understand the legislative process in this country is based on transparency, but sometimes you need to make decisions behind closed doors to get things done.

 Please be safe. Please be healthy. And very best of luck in your new endeavor.

Sincerely, Tamar

Think outside your pandemic box

 As I write this, over 250,000 people have lost their life to Covid-19 in the US. But that number doesn’t account at all for the elderly people that have passed, and will pass very shortly because of the lack of care, touch and human connection that Covid-19 has made impossible. My parents have been in assisted living in NH for the past 2 ½ years. A month ago, they were 97 and 93. Both in terrible, fragile condition. And quarantined in their small apartment without being allowed visitors most of the time. Each one landed in the hospital for extended periods of time, without being able to see each other or communicate at all, due to lack of email, and lack of hearing, and not being allowed out or in, for any reason. Periodically, I could drive by and wave from 20 feet away, which feels much sadder than anything. During the warm months and the lower numbers, I could visit them outside, wearing masks, from 6 feet away, and not allowed to touch them. So the only touch they had, was from their 24 hour caregivers, and that’s mostly for personal care, not tenderness.

 We lost my mom 10 days ago. 2 days shy of her 94^th birthday. Not from covid. Because I was her DPOA, they made an exception and let me be with her. Because I’d come from out-of-state, I almost couldn’t. If we’d put her in a hospice center, I would have only been allowed 1 hour every 24 hours. My dad was allowed, but required a 24 hour caregiver himself. And only 3 people maximum were allowed to visit per day. So it was complicated. But we’re still lucky compared to the thousands and thousands of people dying alone.

 Their assisted living has not had any outbreaks. But they’re still losing people. And guaranteed it’s the same story all over the world for anyone that is by themselves, but especially the older generation who doesn’t know how to zoom, can’t hear on the phone, and isn’t allowed to be visited or touched. People die without being touched.

 What do I want? I want it to be part of the conversation. I want group living facilities to figure out how to safely have visitors and hugs. I want more empathy in this country. Because maybe YOU don’t care about getting sick, or making your family sick. But if you’re not wearing a mask, physically distancing, staying home most of the time, and washing your hands like you’re going into surgery…you’re prolonging this pandemic for everyone else. And every sick person, not just every deceased person, has a whole community of people that need them, love them, and will miss them.

We can save lives if we do things together. I’ll do it for you. You do it for me. Because those numbers don’t tell the whole story.

April 3, 2020

April 3, 2020

Things change daily. And thinking about what I’ve written recently, I know things and feeling may change along with the world faster than I can process. But here’s today’s thoughts.

To set the scene: I’m in NYC. I’m in a 600 square foot, 1 bedroom apt with my boyfriend. He usually lives in Jackson Heights, Queens. But his apt is in the epicenter of the epicenter. So thank god we chose to stay at my place so he could work from home (totally new to him), and not be alone. If you’ve not seen my place. I don’t have a balcony, or backyard, or great view (I mostly see the building 40 ft away, but I look down onto my downstairs neighbor’s back garden/patio). What I do have, is 2 tvs, cable, good wifi, a home phone, great grocery stores nearby, and quiet.

I know everyone is worried about us being in NYC. We see it on the news just like everyone else. It looks like the pandemic is causing pandemonium. And it is, but only if you’re at a hospital. For the rest of us, it’s eerily quiet. You walk out on the street and there’s no cars, no horns, no people, no stores open. New York City is now the City That Only Sleeps. Except for 7pm each night, when we show our appreciation for everyone still working the front lines. People clap, cheer, bang pots and pans, and tonight there will be singing too at 7:30 of, “Lean on Me” out of people’s windows and balconies. From inside my apt, it feels like a prison break. I can hear others, but not see them. From outside on the street, it’s extraordinary seeing people that usually avoid looking at each other, being happy to see each other and waving, wishing each other well. We know what’s happening out there. But inside my tiny apt, I feel safe and totally calm.

Yesterday was my birthday. I had a very small zoom conference “party”. It was great! I didn’t have to just have my friends that are in the town I’m in. I had friends from all over the world and the country get to “meet” each other for the first time, after hearing about each other for years. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

Everyone is dealing with this in their own way. I know for the very active (socially and physically) this is extremely challenging. But my life hasn’t changed too much. My routine is the same: exercise, cook for fun, watch too much TV, sit at my computer the rest of the time and hope to get a little work done. I love catching up with friends in whatever way, and now I have the time to do it.

So. As of today, April 3, 2020. I’m healthy and doing fine. I have a good support system in place. My folks are still safe in their assisted living in NH. And we don’t FEEL the insanity that we know is just a few blocks away. Stay home. Stay safe. Wash your hands right now. Tell everyone you love to do the same, and tell them you love them. Because that can spread fast too.

Since massage is cancelled...how to stay healthy

 So clearly, any upcoming massages are postponed for now. So a little advice for yourself to stay healthy:

1) If you feel sick at all, do NOT exercise or self massage at all. That just spreads the illness around your system more. That's the time to just rest in bed, drink lots of fluids (chicken soup of course). 

2) Please take this time to meditate, even if it's 2 minutes a day to just sit quietly and breathe deeply. 

3) Do not watch the news 24/7. It's never healthy, especially now. But do keep informed. 

4) If you are healthy, do spend more time exercising than eating! There are tons of online workouts for the home, everything from yoga to boot camp. You don't want to spend a month gaining 10 lbs and 10 years trying to get rid of it. 

5) Work on new recipes that are healthy. Don't binge on comfort food. The sugar, fat and calories will make you more sluggish, emotional and possibly depressed. You want fighting food! So make big stews with lots of green veg and beans, quinoa, lean meats, etc. Instead of letting your house smell like disinfectant, let it smell like stew! There are some great online cooking classes (http://www.carlacontreras.com/) and my cookbook (Fighting For Allergy Free Food). And if you're home with kids, now's an excellent time to teach them about cooking, cleaning, and taking care of themselves. 

6) Self massage. Again, do NOT do this if you feel at all sick. But do use rubber balls or tennis balls for your own trigger point work. Lay on the floor so your body can relax and put the ball under you wherever you have knots and just sink in up to 100 seconds. Use your favorite lotion to massage your feet and hands and anywhere you can reach. Take baths. Steam your face and massage it, along with your scalp. Throw a dance party for yourself. 

Sending good health and love to you all. 

If you have any medical questions, or exercise, or food, or anything. Please don't hesitate to reach out. 

Sincerely, Tamar

Why to react NOW

Here’s what this reminds me of: As a massage therapist I’m constantly telling clients, friends and family that if they have some small injury, to take care of it IMMEDIATELY. Say you hurt your wrist, or shoulder, or ankle. And you think, “eh, I can live with the pain for a while, it’ll get better.” But you don’t get it x-rayed. You don’t rest, ice, take Advil, or get PT. Instead, it gets worse and spreads up your leg/arm. So now, 20 years later, you can’t raise your arm fully. You can’t lift heavy things. You also have knee pain and hip pain. Now you need a hip replacement, because you didn’t rest your ankle 20 years ago when the original injury happened.

People don’t look at the long game. They think things will go away. They don’t. You have to take smart, immediate action to prevent what is a worse situation.

2 days ago a very close friend had a heart attack. He’s 48. He’s been super stressed, unhappy and not in good shape. And he knew it. But he put it off. He’s just lucky that he was next to a doctor when it happened and now he’s home and hopefully going to be OK.

Do not take risks now. Not with your health. Not with other people’s health. Take care of yourself, your loved ones, our city, our state, and our planet NOW. Before it’s all gone.

Be safe. Peace.

corona is making me more relaxed

I’m not a panic person. Not when other people are panicking. I understand people think I’m a control person, or a perfectionist. I’m not. I LOVE it when other, capable people are in charge. And I think most things are, “good enough” and there is no such thing as perfect. 

That’s why I love to fly. I’m not flying the plane. I can sit back and relax and do other stuff. And if something goes wrong…not my fault, and probably nothing I can do about it. It’s also why I loved doing stand-up comedy. Because if I screwed up a punch line, I could actually say, out loud, “I screwed that up!” and get a bigger laugh (not that that every happened). And you know what, there’s nothing I can do to stop corona virus either. I can continue to live exactly the way I’ve ALWAYS lived in NYC: don’t touch anything without gloves or a sleeve, wash my gloves a lot, don’t ever touch my face, and the second I walk into my house (which I keep very clean), I wash my hands. 

That’s how I was brought up, and that’s still how I am. Air on planes has better circulation and filters than any building in NY.

And I’ll tell you something else. From a spiritual perspective, this is AMAZING. This is a global crisis, which is also a global opportunity. We know, up to the minute, who is sick everywhere in the world. We have to work together, one planet, one soul, one support system. It’s not the USA that’s having issues. It’s tiny towns everywhere in the world. One friend in Holland suggested this is the perfect time (if we’re all sitting at home) to video chat and catch up with every friend around the world. We are living through (and yes, we will LIVE through it) a major event in global history. That’s really something. I lived through Presidential assassination attempts, 9/11, recessions. Nothing has ever come close to this kind of worldwide historical significance.

And while this is happening, life still goes on. I have friends and family dying and fighting to stay alive through cancers and other illnesses. I have daily chronic pain and illnesses that I still have to focus on every day. Yes, I won’t see a show or concert for a month, or celebrate my birthday with 100 friends. Or take a trip to Italy. And I’m VERY lucky that I have enough money (and toilet paper) to sustain me a month or more. So I don’t have that concern.

But panicking will not help. Just like the day after 9/11 panicking didn’t help or change the situation in any way.

So try to keep the big picture in mind. This too shall pass. And we have to support every person across the world. So be nice. Be well. You may need to borrow some toilet paper.