I cannot tell a lie: I was sick as a dog after I got my Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. I got the shot on Friday, January 8. Saturday morning, I woke up and could not swallow because my throat hurt so bad. I had a low-grade fever. I felt like I went a few rounds with Muhammad Ali and my head felt like it was going to explode. Sunday morning, I felt a lot better. Sunday night, I had a high fever, chills, body aches, so I took some Tylenol and went to bed early. Monday morning, I could not even talk—high fever, body ache—so I called into work and was advised to get tested for COVID-19. Tuesday morning, I drove myself to Liberty to get tested at Ahava Medical. You have to wait outside until a worker comes and asks you why you are there. I said, “I do not feel good.” That was it. “Please wait out here; someone will be with you in a minute,” the worker responded, taking my insurance card. The worker returned with my card and a little piece of paper with a code on it. “Please go down the ramp to the back door and someone will be there to help you.” So, I went down the ramp and opened the door. A young girl goes up my nose and I was done. Wednesday was really bad. I drove myself to Grover Hermann Hospital—I felt bad going there if I did have COVID-19—and they put me in a room and closed the door. I got a strep test and a chest x-ray. I had swollen glands, an upper respiratory infection and bronchitis.  I was given a five-day supply of erythromycin and was told to go home and take Tylenol. Let me tell you, swallowing a pill did not come easy. On Thursday, a very annoying cough kicked in; I called Ahava Medical after 3 p.m. and was told my test came back negative. You’re going to think I am a nut, but I wanted it to be positive; I felt like I got sick for nothing. I wanted to have it and be done with it. My arm only hurt a little and that was when I rolled on to it in my sleep. I was told by many medical people that this is not how it works; I understand just because I got the shot does not mean it got me sick. Anyway, I felt great on Friday. I followed with my family doctor and I am on my second round of antibiotics, this time amoxicillin, which is not very nice to your stomach—you need lots of reading material, if you know what I mean. Many people reminded me that I get bronchitis this time of year. However, I did not have it in 2020 or 2019; in 2018, I was in the hospital with pneumonia, but that was coming on for days. On February 5, I am going back to get my second shot. They say it’s the second shot that will make you feel sick. Wish me luck. 

Please check out the Cochecton Youth Commission on Facebook; they have some very cool stuff coming up and fun surprises for Cochecton Youth. 

2021 tax season is official; tax bills are up and loaded on www.taxlookup.com. If the weather is bad, first call 845/932-8360 ext. 17 and make sure I’m in the office. If you are paying in person you have to wear a mask; put your tax payment on my desk and wait in the hall. You must have the exact amount. If you would like to pay online, visit here.

Wash your hands and please wear a mask. Have a great week. You can email me at leeniebeans@citlink.net or call 845/252-3568 if you have any news. You can always check me out at www.riverreporter.com in community living.