This is the thing I referred to. 

@lee  The "loophole" that I fell into was being a care-giver to a home-bound senior citizen.  It wasn't my idea, either.  My aunt lives across the street from me (in a house that i bought for her).  I take her to doctors, do all her shopping, cleaning and cook most of her meals.  When I took her in for her first dose, the people running the event (doctors and nurses) basically shoved the clipboard at me and told me to roll up my sleeve.  I did not argue.  In retrospect, I feel that this was a wise, smart and correct thing to do.  I', 63 3/4 years old, so I didn't "cheat" by too much.  If anybody takes actual and serious care of a senior relative, I recommend that you call and ask if you qualify.  

@rusty

I certainly wouldn't feel bad about it. You sound like a valid caregiver to me. And it seems like you are close enough to the age obligation which seems kind of arbitrary to me anyway. I guess they are probably too busy to look at things on a case by case situation. I can understand that.

I'm having quite the pickle. I'm a first provider as I mentioned but I am not 65. Well, the powers that be are opening The United Center next week. To register, their website forces you to enter a date that makes you 65 years old. Even though I should be accepted. So I had to lie on the application or I couldn't register and you have to register.

SOOOOOOOOOO, how they are leaving this is you can go there even though you can't register if you are under 65. However, they will accept you but they can reject you if you are under 65 years old.

Confused? Me too. I have an appointment Wednesday. 🙄 

@lee  All of this sucks.  Just be vigilant and be safe!  We've fought this beast for a year, now.  I believe that there's light at the end of the tunnel!  It seems like more vaccines are about to be available to more people.  You got this!  😉 

Got an email overnight. My appointment was cancelled and moved. Not even one day after I made it. 🙄 Fortunately I can make the new time and day but still. 

One shot down, one to go!  

@oldcoot

That's great.  Hope I will have mine this week.

So drove an hour today to Lowell,MA and finally got my vaccination.

Very well organized and went quickly. They had the Johnson  & Johnson one shot vaccine so I am good for now.

They had hundreds of openings when I booked 3 days ago and the nurse told me they received several thousand shots at the last minute and opened up the reservation as soon as they get notice.I got lucky I think as it has been a challenge to get an appointment here.

It is a weight off my mind so now hope my wife and two teenage daughters can get theirs as soon as the next phase opens up here in Massachussets.

I hope everyone  and their families can get their vaccinations soon and good health.

@bill_graham

Nice that you got the "one and done" version. Not sure how teenagers would qualify at the moment for your kids though. Especially since the powers that be can't seem to get things done for the sick, elderly, etc. Here in Chicago they are actually going to elderly shut in people's homes to give them shots. Certainly nice. 

With my appointment scheduled for Wednesday my wife and I were talking about it last night and she basically told me to go there and give it a shot (no pun intended 😉 ). We both think they won't turn anyone away but who knows? I couldn't get one at Walgreen's last week and my CVS pharmacy doesn't have them in the state of Illinois.

Posted by: @lee

@bill_graham

Nice that you got the "one and done" version. Not sure how teenagers would qualify at the moment for your kids though. Especially since the powers that be can't seem to get things done for the sick, elderly, etc. Here in Chicago they are actually going to elderly shut in people's homes to give them shots. Certainly nice. 

With my appointment scheduled for Wednesday my wife and I were talking about it last night and she basically told me to go there and give it a shot (no pun intended 😉 ). We both think they won't turn anyone away but who knows? I couldn't get one at Walgreen's last week and my CVS pharmacy doesn't have them in the state of Illinois.

Yeah not sure when my daugthers will get theirs but Mass seems to be doing a decent job getting people vaccinated so hopefully they open things up soon. My youngest suffers from asthma so we are going to check if she qualifies for an exception.

The wife is 7 years younger than me but is a flight attendant and gets tested weekly. She flies a lot so not sure if they will let her get vaccinated early due to her job but we will see.

I've had 2 shots of Moderna. My daughter works as a medical assistant for a plastic surgeon so she qualified and has 2 shots also.

I'm just really itching to get outside to see baseball games and outdoor venues this summer to see concerts. I usually only drink when I'm at a bar listening to live music, and it's been a year since I've had a drink. Yikes.

Posted by: @bill_graham

Posted by: @lee

@bill_graham

Nice that you got the "one and done" version. Not sure how teenagers would qualify at the moment for your kids though. Especially since the powers that be can't seem to get things done for the sick, elderly, etc. Here in Chicago they are actually going to elderly shut in people's homes to give them shots. Certainly nice. 

With my appointment scheduled for Wednesday my wife and I were talking about it last night and she basically told me to go there and give it a shot (no pun intended 😉 ). We both think they won't turn anyone away but who knows? I couldn't get one at Walgreen's last week and my CVS pharmacy doesn't have them in the state of Illinois.

Yeah not sure when my daugthers will get theirs but Mass seems to be doing a decent job getting people vaccinated so hopefully they open things up soon. My youngest suffers from asthma so we are going to check if she qualifies for an exception.

The wife is 7 years younger than me but is a flight attendant and gets tested weekly. She flies a lot so not sure if they will let her get vaccinated early due to her job but we will see.

 

I find that interesting. Your wife is dealing with who knows what every day and she gets tested weekly yet now some athletes, both professional and at the collegiate level are getting tested way more often than that. 

Posted by: @martind28

I've had 2 shots of Moderna. My daughter works as a medical assistant for a plastic surgeon so she qualified and has 2 shots also.

I'm just really itching to get outside to see baseball games and outdoor venues this summer to see concerts. I usually only drink when I'm at a bar listening to live music, and it's been a year since I've had a drink. Yikes.

I have absolutely no idea what the plans are for sports and college regarding attendance. I watch games on TV and some places have fans. Usually they are spaced out but sometimes they aren't. For sports I think it should be fairly easy. You have a seat and you can't sit somewhere else. 

Concerts are a different animal. I like going to some smaller clubs and how do you keep people apart there? Some of these places are small to begin with anyway. Kind of the same thing with sheds. Many of those places have a lawn. Hard to keep people apart there. Do you just open pavilions and limit the amount of sales? Doubt it would be worth it financially for a touring band.

Posted by: @lee

Posted by: @bill_graham

Posted by: @lee

@bill_graham

Nice that you got the "one and done" version. Not sure how teenagers would qualify at the moment for your kids though. Especially since the powers that be can't seem to get things done for the sick, elderly, etc. Here in Chicago they are actually going to elderly shut in people's homes to give them shots. Certainly nice. 

With my appointment scheduled for Wednesday my wife and I were talking about it last night and she basically told me to go there and give it a shot (no pun intended 😉 ). We both think they won't turn anyone away but who knows? I couldn't get one at Walgreen's last week and my CVS pharmacy doesn't have them in the state of Illinois.

Yeah not sure when my daugthers will get theirs but Mass seems to be doing a decent job getting people vaccinated so hopefully they open things up soon. My youngest suffers from asthma so we are going to check if she qualifies for an exception.

The wife is 7 years younger than me but is a flight attendant and gets tested weekly. She flies a lot so not sure if they will let her get vaccinated early due to her job but we will see.

 

I find that interesting. Your wife is dealing with who knows what every day and she gets tested weekly yet now some athletes, both professional and at the collegiate level are getting tested way more often than that. 

Yeah, agree that it seems strange that my wife only gets tested once a week, and athletes get tested more often.

My only guess is Pro sports are big $$$ so they don't want to take the chance of shutting down the whole sport if there is an outbreak on a team like they had with the Miami Marlins this past baseball season which almost shut the team down. I am just happy the airline she works for decided to give her weekly tests. She is in her late 50's so currently is not eligible for the vaccine here in Massachusetts yet.

So yesterday I felt crappy all day with a mild headache, body ache, and very tired. Feel much better today so I guess the J&J vaccine is working.

Posted by: @lee

Posted by: @martind28

I've had 2 shots of Moderna. My daughter works as a medical assistant for a plastic surgeon so she qualified and has 2 shots also.

I'm just really itching to get outside to see baseball games and outdoor venues this summer to see concerts. I usually only drink when I'm at a bar listening to live music, and it's been a year since I've had a drink. Yikes.

I have absolutely no idea what the plans are for sports and college regarding attendance. I watch games on TV and some places have fans. Usually they are spaced out but sometimes they aren't. For sports I think it should be fairly easy. You have a seat and you can't sit somewhere else. 

Concerts are a different animal. I like going to some smaller clubs and how do you keep people apart there? Some of these places are small to begin with anyway. Kind of the same thing with sheds. Many of those places have a lawn. Hard to keep people apart there. Do you just open pavilions and limit the amount of sales? Doubt it would be worth it financially for a touring band.

I agree with this.  There was a show in Mobile, AL a few weeks ago.  An ... "offspring" band (if ya get my drift).  According to some folks that I know who attended - masks were required to enter (check!), seating was with 6' of separation (check!).  Everything was by the book until the lights went low - then the masks came off and everyone crowded the stage area.  Unless you seat fans in cages, concerts are not gonna work  - not just yet, anyway.  This is why it is so important that EVERYONE play the game by the rules.  Gt vaccinated ASAP.  Keep wearing the masks, washing hands and distancing until the numbers get way, way down.  Otherwise, you're just perpetuating the problem.

Posted by: @rusty

Unless you seat fans in cages, concerts are not gonna work  - not just yet, anyway. 

That's actually what they've been doing in my town. Caged pods on the lawn to keep people separate. I could hear Keller Williams from my backyard last night. At least they're trying to make it work.

@porkchopbob  This could work well for some types of music, bands and shows.  I can imagine a Steely Dan show, Celine Dion ... Bonnie Raitt maybe, even.  Most of these bands draw almost the same audience.  Sitting in a "caged" booth sipping wine coolers listing to some standard "adult" music - this could work.  I don't see this working for a lot of the bands that I am a fan of.  I can't imagine a Govt. Mule or Tedeschi-Trucks show with fans agreeing to be restrained.  FYI - the "offspring" act that I referred to was the Allman-Betts Band.  Any music relating to the "jam band" experience would probably result in some serious violation of screening and masking.  Beyond that, there's still the crowds at turnstiles, restrooms, concession stands and merch' booths.  It kills me to say or even think it, but we're just not ready for MAJOR shows just yet.

@rusty I totally agree. These are public concerts that are mostly C-listers at best. Not huge draws. Usually they feature Journey or Eagles cover bands, so the setup works for the audience. The city has gotten some bigger acts lately (the Wailers, Keller Williams) since they are set up for distanced outdoor audience where the bigger concert halls aren't (though Allman Betts Band just played a popular music club called the Funky Biscuit last month). The city just announced St Paul and the Broken Bones which is kind of jammy for the venue.

But it's something for now. Better to try and make it work, have some safe entertainment, put people to work, than do nothing.

Posted by: @rusty

Posted by: @lee

Concerts are a different animal. I like going to some smaller clubs and how do you keep people apart there? Some of these places are small to begin with anyway. Kind of the same thing with sheds. Many of those places have a lawn. Hard to keep people apart there. Do you just open pavilions and limit the amount of sales? Doubt it would be worth it financially for a touring band.

I agree with this.  There was a show in Mobile, AL a few weeks ago.  An ... "offspring" band (if ya get my drift).  According to some folks that I know who attended - masks were required to enter (check!), seating was with 6' of separation (check!).  Everything was by the book until the lights went low - then the masks came off and everyone crowded the stage area.  Unless you seat fans in cages, concerts are not gonna work  - not just yet, anyway.  This is why it is so important that EVERYONE play the game by the rules.  Gt vaccinated ASAP.  Keep wearing the masks, washing hands and distancing until the numbers get way, way down.  Otherwise, you're just perpetuating the problem.

I wonder about the bands themselves - singing is supposed to aerate the virus more than talking; what about 2 guys standing at the same mic? They also have to travel w/different states having different requirements no matter how you arrive - bus, plane, train - that include negative tests plus 5-10 days of quarantine. That would certainly limit the # of dates as well as eat into the budget if they're sitting in a hotel for 5 days in quarantine. Unless band members are 64+, they haven't been vaccinated yet. 

Outdoor venues should be fine IF people observe protocols - there's a mix of ages at concerts at the very least. Don't see small venues working financially for bands if there are still capacity caps.

CDC is supposed to announce what vaccinated people can/can't safely do this week. That's about 10% of the population right now who've received at least 1 dose of the 2-dose type. So, 90% of the population isn't protected except by the protocols. I'm w/rusty - keep wearing the masks & social distancing & lower expectations about the number of concerts coming your way.

@porkchopbob  I have tickets for Ringo Starr and his Allstars - end of June - postponed from LAST June!  Just waiting to see if his tour even takes off.  Short schedule - just a handful of shows in June.  You'd think that his would be a safe assemblage of fans - many of whom are now almost ... 64!  Cages could work - might not even be needed!  Ringo will be (gasp!) 81 in June.  I hope the show/tour does happen.  As with many of my favorites (Dylan, Stones et al) - their touring days are likely winding down.  

@cyclone88  Instead of "Smoking or Non-Smoking" sections - may we could have "VAXed and Non-VAXed" areas?  

@cyclone88 I know working musicians are bringing their own mics. You hope musicians appreciate if they are lucky enough to go back out on the road and observe proper protocols.

I was in Key West last summer where most venues are essentially outside. A few venues installed plexi-glass in front of the stage.

It's not perfect, but it's something.

South FL has more flexibility, it probably would not work for The Iridium in the middle of a NYC winter.

@porkchopbob

Great on the mics.

I guess money is the big question & I genuinely know nothing about touring profitability - just that some bands do it to promote something & others because there's demand.

What about the extra costs of quarantining for 5-10 days when moving from state to state? Isn't that a big bite out of the budget? Some states are "suggesting" rather than "requiring" quarantine upon arrival from another state, but some are still mandatory.

@cyclone88 are there many (continental) states still requiring quarantine?

I imagine it's easy to avoid those states, since they probably aren't booking large music events by design. Especially the further north you go.

Posted by: @rusty

Posted by: @lee

Posted by: @martind28

I've had 2 shots of Moderna. My daughter works as a medical assistant for a plastic surgeon so she qualified and has 2 shots also.

I'm just really itching to get outside to see baseball games and outdoor venues this summer to see concerts. I usually only drink when I'm at a bar listening to live music, and it's been a year since I've had a drink. Yikes.

I have absolutely no idea what the plans are for sports and college regarding attendance. I watch games on TV and some places have fans. Usually they are spaced out but sometimes they aren't. For sports I think it should be fairly easy. You have a seat and you can't sit somewhere else. 

Concerts are a different animal. I like going to some smaller clubs and how do you keep people apart there? Some of these places are small to begin with anyway. Kind of the same thing with sheds. Many of those places have a lawn. Hard to keep people apart there. Do you just open pavilions and limit the amount of sales? Doubt it would be worth it financially for a touring band.

I agree with this.  There was a show in Mobile, AL a few weeks ago.  An ... "offspring" band (if ya get my drift).  According to some folks that I know who attended - masks were required to enter (check!), seating was with 6' of separation (check!).  Everything was by the book until the lights went low - then the masks came off and everyone crowded the stage area.  Unless you seat fans in cages, concerts are not gonna work  - not just yet, anyway.  This is why it is so important that EVERYONE play the game by the rules.  Gt vaccinated ASAP.  Keep wearing the masks, washing hands and distancing until the numbers get way, way down.  Otherwise, you're just perpetuating the problem.

So a nice outdoor show in either Texas or Mississippi would be a good ole safe time for rock & roll? Maybe the govs of those states could introduce the bands to a sea of maskless fans?

@martind28 "Gov's" of some states (Florida, for example) would probably be in favor of gigantic stadium shows with Covid for sale at the concession stands.  31,632 would be a pretty good crowd.  31,632 - the number of Floridians who have died from Covid.  But, yeah - I hear ya.

FYI - there is absolutely NOBODY who wants concerts back more than I do.  I promise you this.

@rusty

Seems like Gov Ron DeSantis in Florida has been a "leader" on Covid on doing just about everything wrong imaginable. It's been one thing after another with that hack.

The list is quite extensive. The latest is preferential treatment for delving out of Covid shots for wealthy donors.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/03/04/florida-keys-desantis-vaccine-donation/

Posted by: @martind28

@rusty

Seems like Gov Ron DeSantis in Florida has been a "leader" on Covid on doing just about everything wrong imaginable. It's been one thing after another with that hack.

The list is quite extensive. The latest is preferential treatment for delving out of Covid shots for wealthy donors.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/03/04/florida-keys-desantis-vaccine-donation/

 

 

And I am reading and hearing rumbles that he is a strong proTrump candidate for the 2024 POTUS nomination if the Donald does not run again. Very scary.

@porkchopbob

According to Forbes, there are about 20 states w/travel entry restrictions:

California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington State, & DC.

Looks like all of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Pacific states plus half of the Midwestern states. That pretty much leaves the South & Southwestern states open to out-of-state travelers. I suppose touring a single state like California once the band is there or from there, they could make it profitable. Quarantines may be eased closer to summer.

Again, I don't know about the financials of tours. Seems like bands would be better off doing regional tours where there aren't restrictions. Anyone know how tight the travel budgets are?

@cyclone88

I meant specifically forced quarantines. "Travel restrictions" can mean a lot of things, from state to state. Most states that have restrictions recommend a quarantine or target visitors entering from specific states with high cases.

Also, there's enforcement. I know some folks who dutifully self-quarantined after traveling*, but no one really checked up on them. They were on the honor system. Maine states they require quarantine, but everyone I know in NYC went there last summer to escape the city. Even CA lifted many of its travel restrictions.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/us-state-travel-restrictions-covid-19/index.html

So really, there's not a lot stopping a musician or a band from a traveling for a mini tour, especially if it's regional.

* a good friend of mine works on Antarctica during the winter months. The connecting flight is in Christchurch NZ, which has strict lock down. She patiently sat in a hotel room in NZ for 2 weeks between her US flight and flight to the Antarctic station.