January 22

Trudy Perez as an ASU Unsung Hero

Just a little something to brighten your day.

Our own Trudy Perez has been highlighted as one of ASU's unsung heroes in a nice ASU Now article. You need to scroll down quite a ways to find Trudy but there she is in her "red traditional stocking cap, turquoise sweater, maroon and gold scarf, black gloves, bright orange traffic vest and a red “Bunco Babes” mask."

Thank you Trudy from all of us - keep those doggies rollin' Rawhide

Barry
E-News Editor

January 20

COVID-19 Vaccination Update

Presidential Inauguration Day is always a special day. If you missed the inauguration poem given by 22 year old Amanda Gorman you missed something pretty cool.

In the last E-News I reported that Carl Cross, our very own President, was tasked with writing a letter to President Crow asking if ASURA members could be included in ASU's vaccination plans. 

Carl received a response from President Crow indicating he (Crow) was asking Nichol Luoma, Vice President of University Business Services, to connect with him to discuss this further. Nichol informed Carl that we (ASURA) now have a site at Phoenix Muni Stadium which is a public site and can be scheduled through the state’s website. She also told Carl that she would let Kevin Salcido in HR know of our concerns to see what else can be done for our retirees. For now, we are encouraged to visit the public sites if we fit the criteria.

Not quite the response we were hoping for but they did not say "no way" so there is always hope.

To help you keep up with what is going on we have created a COVID-19 webpage. The page contains links to vaccination sites in Pinal and Maricopa Counties as well as the Points of Distribution (POD) operated by the state (Arizona Department of Health Services). On these pages you can find:

• lists of vaccination sites
• availability of reservations at the listed sites
• links to reservation webpages

If you want to schedule a vaccination, you should check these pages regularly. At the moment (noon on 1/20/2021)

• There are no January or February appointments available at State Farm or Phoenix Muni
• There is no availability at any of the five Maricopa Points of Distribution (POD)
• It is less clear what is available on the Pinal site

As I mentioned in the last E-News, if you have not created an account with ADHS you should do so; even if you cannot actually schedule anything. The site is a portal for scheduling vaccinations at the various PODs and when appointments become available you don't want to be fiddling around creating your account.

Barry
E-New Editor

January 13

ASURA Continues to Function

Vaccine Availability

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
COVID vaccines are here today!
Amid the joy the Board did meet
To celebrate an astounding feat

Thank you, Lewis Carol, for the first line

ASURA Continues to Function

• Joy Shearman reported our scholarship recipient did very well last semester with all As.
• Bev Buddee reported that the first of the spring seminars is on track for tomorrow. It will be totally virtual using Zoom and just to keep you on your toes, admittance to the seminar will require a code which will be sent tomorrow morning, along with the seminar link, to all registered attendees.
• Jeri Meeks is gearing up for the next Legislative session. She is looking for members who would like to try their hand at keeping an eye on the legislature. If you would like to join our active Government Liaison group drop Jeri a line at jeri.meeks@asu.edu.
• Jan Thompson reported on a meeting in November between members of the retiree’s associations from the three state universities. During this meeting NAU asked if its members, “wintering” in Phoenix, could attend our events. See the spring Prime Times for a complete article.
• One of our members asked about ASU’s vaccination plans and whether these plans could include ASURA members. Carl was asked to write President Crow to see if this was possible.

Vaccine Availability

Maricopa County has implemented its vaccine distribution plan and scheduling is now open for Phases 1A 1B.  Phase 1B includes those 75 and older which includes me and many/some/a few of our members. To get vaccinated you need to make an appointment; walk-ins are not possible.

Following is a “road map” of the vaccine scheduling information road trip.

• We start our journey at the Maricopa County COVID-19 Vaccine webpage (https://www.maricopa.gov/5641/COVID-19-Vaccine). This page contains information about what Maricopa County is doing relative to vaccines. After reading what you want, scroll back to the top and click on the “Phase 1B Vaccination” button.
• You are now on the “COVID-19 Vaccine – Phase 1B” webpage (https://www.maricopa.gov/5651/Phase-1B). There is good information on this site explaining the process, e.g., why you need an appointment. Once you are done reading, scroll down to the section “Adults Age 75 and Older” and click on the “Make Your Appointment” button.
• You have now arrived at the “COVID-19 Vaccine Locations” page (https://www.maricopa.gov/5659/COVID-19-Vaccine-Locations). You are getting close to a registration page, the registration page is in sight. The current page has useful information about vaccine appointment availability for the four Maricopa County locations. It also includes the State Farm Stadium site, which operates 24/7, and is operated through the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). If there is availability at one of the sites there will be a link to allow you to register. At the bottom of the page there is a list of Albertson and Safeway pharmacies that are offering vaccinations. I am not sure it is working; I could find no available dates through May.

I recommend that even if there are no appointment times available that you go to the ADHS registration site (https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/) and create your account. Connie and I used the ADHS site to register for appointments at Maricopa County’s Southeast facility at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. 

 3 January

Office Closure Continues

 2020 is in the review mirror and my traffic advisory app indicates they expect the vaccine traffic jam to begin to be reduced in the near future. With sunny skies (and no snow) 2021 is getting off to a nice start.

Office Closure to Continue

While the forecast is for better times we are still suffering the lingering effects of 2020 and as such:

1. The ASURA Office will continue its closure. A reevaluation will be done later this month.
2. If you call the Office and leave a voice message, these messages will be regularly reviewed and responded to.
3. If you mail something to the Office, the US postal mail will be picked up every Tuesday.

Book donations will continue to be accepted but by appointment only. To make an appointment contact either Linda Van Scoy or Nancy Lesko to arrange for a time to meet at the Office. You may also call the Office at 480-965-7668 and leave a voice message. See our "Used Book Drive" webpage for more information