Now that the FDA has authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, the logistical feat of delivering it to the world begins. Early tomorrow morning, FedEx and UPS trucks will be rolling from Pfizer’s massive plant in Portage, MI to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) in Grand Rapids, MI where FedEx and UPS airplanes will be ready to start the major task of distributing the vaccine’s across the country to 636 sites over the next three days — 145 Monday, 425 Tuesday and 66 on Wednesday. In total, 2.9 million doses will ship next week from Pfizer plants in Michigan and Wisconsin.

The GFIA airport’s 10,000-foot runway makes it possible for the largest aircraft to be fully loaded and have enough runway to take off with all that weight. Just an hour away from Pfizer, the airport is ideally suited for this task.

In three weeks, they will be doing this all again when another three million doses will ship to complete the two-shot series.

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There’s one thing I think most people can agree on. It’s been a long, tough year, one like no other. But bad times don’t last forever and things are about to change for the better. Hang in there for this last little bit, stay healthy and get ready for the best summer of your life, because after the year we’ve had, normal is going to feel glorious. Why all this hopefulness? Read on.

The FDA Advisory Board has recommended approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, and it’s likely the FDA will authorize emergency use within days. Anticipating this, 1,000s of UPS and FedEx airplanes and trucks are on standby with ultracold freezers to start deliveries across the United States.

Pfizer is manufacturing these vaccines in Portage, Michigan. And it sure feels good to see Michigan in the news as part of the solution to one of the world’s greatest problems.

Of those vaccinated during clinical trials, 95% are protected from COVID-19, with no severe side effects. The reported temporary side effects include achy muscles, arm pain, headache, fever and fatigue for about a day. People with a history of severe allergic reactions need to be aware that they could have one with this vaccine, although that is rare.

Who is first in line? Healthcare workers, most likely followed by front line workers and people at high risk, in descending order of vulnerability to the virus. Once about 70% of the population has immunity through the vaccine or a COVID-19 infection that has passed, it’s predicted that we will be able to return to our lives of hugging friends, visiting indoors without worry and getting on with our lives in a less restricted way. For those who have lost loved ones; become ill and still not recovered; or lost their homes, careers or financial security, they will need more than a vaccine to feel whole again. I hope we can all pull together and work as one to help put the pieces back together for everyone the best we can.

Personally, I see this as the beginning of the end of the pandemic and am going to use the space between now and a busier life as a time to reset, make progress in areas of my life that I have neglected and tackle projects I normally wouldn’t have time for. First up is my art, which is shown above, with more to be seen and purchased at anntopia.com.

In the meantime, for your protection, here is a link to Clinical Supplies USA to buy USA made N-95 masks. I’ve purchased masks from them several times now and have been happy with the timeliness of delivery and quality of the masks.