Vaccine trial participant: Take your shots PARK IN REAR

I am a COVID-19, Phase III, vaccine trial participant at UM/JMH. I work with the public at times and also have an octogenarian at home. When people discover that I am in the trial, they want to know how I feel and did I get the vaccine or a placebo. I am 52 years old, in good health with some drug allergies but never had an issue with a vaccine.

The first of the two-shot process feels no different than a yearly flu shot. I felt a bit tired and the injection site on my arm was sore for a couple of days. The second shot was 28 days later, and my immune system really kicked in. I did not take a pain reliever and that was a mistake. I had a 101.3 degree fever, with chills, body aches and fatigue. When I dragged myself out of bed, I took two Tylenol, drank some Gatorade and took a shower. An hour later, my fever was almost gone and the aches non-existent.

The next day, I had some fatigue and pain at the injection site. I took Tylenol in recommended intervals. The fatigue continued a few days more, but I went about my daily life.

Because I never had symptoms or tested positive for the virus, I got an anti-body test two and half weeks after the second shot. A few days later, my test results came back positive for anti-bodies. A month later, I received my flu shot, with no issue.

When this vaccine trial is approved later this week or next, I will get formal notice of whether I received a placebo or the vaccine. But I know the answer already.

Not everyone will have aside effects; some will be less, some could be worse. But fever, body aches, fatigue or discomfort is not a lot to ask so the food lines get smaller, small businesses stop failing, children can go to school without fear of infecting their parents, teachers can work without wondering if the virus will kill them, and those in nursing homes can see and hug their loved ones.

– Rachel S. Glorioso Dooley,

Miami

Re the Dec. 14 story “Heat promised a bayfront park, but space still parking lot:” I am certain this is not the only time that politicians have dangled a candy cane in front of voters to get their approval for projects.

Parcel B should really be labeled Parcel Z. This will, at least, give a true representation of the priority of these projects have received.

This reminds me of a quote popularize by Mark Twain: There are lies, damned lies and statistics.

For us, however, it should be lies, damned lies, and Miami-Dade politicians with their pet projects tied up with realestate developers and professional sports projects.

– Ian Nisonson,

Pinecrest

DOSE OF REALITY

Gov. Ron DeSantis is no medical authority, and suggesting that one dose of the Pfizer vaccine may be enough could do more harm than good. Until DeSantis gets his degree in medicine, he should not be giving out any medical advice.

And until we can vote him out of office, he needs to stick to governing.

– JoAnn Lee Frank,

Clearwater