Patience is a virtue

 We are all understandably excited to hear the outcome of the upcoming FDA Advisory Committee meetings to discuss the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for prevention of COVID-19. But even if the outcomes are positive, even with the best case scenario, it is still going to be quite a while until most of us will be vaccinated.

First, I saw this on a friend’s Facebook page:

When can I get a coronavirus vaccine?

Then, today’s New York Times provided some terrific graphics and a brief questionnaire we can each use to calculate an approximate timeline for receiving the vaccine. I indicated that I am 68 years old, live in Bronx County NY, and do have COVID-related health risks.

 

A vaccine may be around the corner, but how long will it be until you get the shot? Health officials are considering vaccine timelines that give some Americans priority over others. If you’re a healthy American, you may wait many months for your turn.

To put this in perspective, we worked with the Surgo Foundation and Ariadne Labs using their vaccine tool to calculate the number of people who will need a vaccine in each state and county — and where you might fit in that line.

To start, tell us about yourself:

How old are you?What county do you live in?

Do you work in these professions?

 Health care worker

 Essential worker

 First responder

 Teacher

 None of these

If an essential worker, you've probably been working in person throughout the pandemic in a vital industry like health, food or energy.

Do you have Covid-related health risks?

 Yes

 No

These include conditions tied to increased risk of Covid death, like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity or other immunocompromised conditions.

Based on your risk profile, we believe you’re in line behind 23.0 million people across the United States.

When it comes to New York, we think you’re behind 1.8 million others who are at higher risk in your state.

And in Bronx County, you’re behind 114,400 others.

If the line in New York was represented by about 100 people, this is where you’d be standing:

1.4M healthcare workers

273k in nursing homes

139k first responders

You, with 5.3M with health risks

508k other elderly

511k essential workers

455k teachers

79k homeless

70k prisoners

2.5M young adults

4.0M children

713k other essential workers

3.6M others

As they say, patience is a virtue. Guess we're going to need quite a bit of that virtue over the coming months!

Meanwhile, do all you can to stay safe and well!

Love,

Rebecca