SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 related post number 051/???

(Originally posted to my GoFundMe less than 16 hours ago, so I didn't bother to change the timestamp. This is basically copied verbatim (modulo formatting), including the fundraising stuff at the end; I *was* posting to GoFundMe after all. Feel free to ignore those bits if you want. Link to the fundraiser will be provided in the comments and upon request.)

For the first time in a while, I've got semi-random Links From All Over to share in this "SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 related PSA / traditional weblogging and the usual begging post mashup" post. These cover a very wide range of topics relating to the pandemic, and are in no way intended to be related to each other except in that they all deal with the ^%$#@!* modern plague.

First up, with people now receiving the second dose for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, reports of side effects are coming in. THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED. Side effects are just a sign that protection is kicking in as it should.

The Second COVID-19 Shot Is a Rude Reawakening for Immune Cells

Next, some scary news about how SARS-CoV-2 is using some humans as its own experiment lab.

Extraordinary Patient Offers Surprising Clues To Origins Of Coronavirus Variants

Social distancing, masks, and ventilation are still major issues, and are going to remain so for quite some time. Herewith the latest from the CDC mandating mask use on all public transportation:

Requirement for Face Masks on Public Transportation Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs

A study with hard data on the riskiest jobs during this crisis:

Line cooks have the highest risk of dying during pandemic, plus other riskiest jobs: study

And a sordid warning that, while aimed locally at metro NYC, indirectly points out dangers of gathering in ANY poorly ventilated space:

The Indoor-Dining Debate Isn’t a Debate at All

Check out the half dozen links at the end of the above article.

Warning on this next one from the person I got this link from: "Article is not as positive as the headline appears. I'll keep my expectation of 2022 for my kid to get a vaccine."
Fauci: Vaccines for Kids as Young as First Graders Could Be Authorized by September

And lastly for now... I predicted, somewhere around May or June 2020, that this was likely to turn into another "gotta get your flu shot every year" situation. I am not happy to report that this prediction may be accurate.

Virus expected to last long-term despite global vaccine rollout

Enough links for now; on to the usual PSA-and-begging part of this post. Any of you who have been reading these posts for even a short time can predict what comes next: the plea for those of you who are able to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. Some businesses were essential and never closed during the lockdowns. Others, after having opened back up, are now trying to stay open to what extent they can as the semi-lockdown is being tightened back up in response to pandemic surges. What these businesses have in common is that locally owned and operated businesses give better "bang for the buck" when it comes to keeping the local economy moving. So please do what you can to help keep your local economy a little bit more afloat. Locally owned businesses are, and will continue to be, struggling to survive and get back on their feet, so please patronize them as much as you can. BUY LOCAL. Please however, do so in a safe manner. Keep on wearing masks and other protective equipment when going shopping in person, continue social distancing. Act intelligently, because I know you can.

( Rest of the begging stuff is behind the cut. )