The Standing UP For Upstanders Task Force has been hard at work to spread awareness on COVID-19 and to help those who are affected during these trying times. The task force is currently working to recognize Upstanders in our individual communities to thank them for everything that they have been doing and are continuing to do. Nonetheless, our task force is small, and we need some more of our awesome members in this movement to take part in this incredible cause, becoming leaders along the process. Will YOU be one of those fantastic people soon?

Since you last read our newsletter, the United States Of America has enough vaccines to vaccinate everyone that is 16 or older (who wants it, of course). With that being said, the vaccine is absolutely no excuse for a mask not to be worn. Just like any other vaccine, you can still get COVID-19 even once you have gotten the vaccine. Unfortunately, other countries are not doing so well with the vaccines, along with the new COVID-19 variants, that spread easier than ever before. 

With our teens in BBYO slowly getting vaccinated, the Standing UP For Upstanders Task Force has decided to interview different teens that have gotten their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Today, we have Syndey Levine, who got their first vaccine on April 15th, and Lilah Kaplan, who got her second vaccine on April 21st. We interviewed Sydney Levine about their first vaccine!

Question: How difficult was it to find an appointment?

“I started trying to book my vaccine appointment right when it was announced that anyone over the age of 16 can get their vaccine. There is a New York State “find a vaccine” website, and I was at my computer right at 8:00 am. I cried at least twice, and then the next day, my aunt booked the appointment. The Wednesday before I was about to get my vaccine, I found an appointment that opened up 5 minutes away from my house, so I took that one instead at the last minute.”

Question: Were you nervous?

“I get so nervous about getting vaccines, and I hate the feeling. However, this time, I did not feel anything. I turned to the doctor giving me my vaccine, and asked if it was over, even though he had already given it to me.”‍

Question: How did you feel after getting the vaccine?

My arm hurt an hour after getting the vaccine, and I felt exhausted, sick, and tired just after 24 hours from the vaccine.”‍

Question: What would you recommend doing after you get the vaccine?

“TAKE A NAP, get a good night’s sleep, and drink electrolytes.”

Finally, we interviewed Lilah Kaplan about her second vaccine!

Question: How difficult was it to find an appointment?

“They already gave me a date when I went for my first vaccine.”‍

Question: Were you nervous?

“No, because the first one wasn’t bad at all.”‍

Question: How did you feel after getting the vaccine?

“When I first got it, I was so happy because I was finally going to be able to safely see my friends from a distance after 2 weeks. On April 22nd, I woke up, and I didn’t feel good, however, I went on with my day. At 10 in the morning, I was logging onto my Physics Zoom class, and I started to feel a lot worse. By the end of the class, my temperature had gone from 98.9 (a normal temperature) to 102.7 (not a normal temperature). Trying to continue on with my day, I decided to go to my Calculus Zoom, and that is when I felt too sick to continue on with my day, so I went to sleep. I had also canceled work for the day. Two hours later, I woke up and I was still feeling terrible, so I just relaxed for the time being.”

Lilah reports that she felt great the following day!‍

Question: What would you recommend doing after you get the vaccine?

“Take it day by day, make sure to get some rest, and stay hydrated. :)”

The Ed & Web subcommittee has been working hard to update our map, where you can find tons of resources and eligibility about the vaccine, and it is being updated bi-weekly with more information, check it out to see your country, and all of the information, including vaccine updates in red and service projects in blue!

With all of this being said, if you are interested in contributing to all of these new initiatives and coming up with more, join the Standing UP For Upstanders Task Force, and if you want to write a newsletter for The Shofar, join the Ed & Web Subcommittee. We’ll see you next time for some more updates! Stay safe, BBYO!