Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1331269
THE ARTISAN WINTER 2021 • 7 members of your crew can be described with the same three or four adjectives, or if your UPM or executive producer has hinted that your department does not show a great variety of age, race, gender or gender expression, you need to add some color, vary the flavor—and rethink your assortment. Crayons come in 64 colors—and so do we. 'Diversity' may be humankind's greatest asset; having a range of skills, genders, races and ages on our team makes us stronger. We need to up our game. We can all make sim- ple, meaningful and demonstrative changes in the way we crew our departments, treat our co-workers, and relate to others. I want to thank you—our members—for your words of encouragement during this past year. The holiday cards, phone calls, emails and texts thanking me, Polly and Patrice for assisting you in 2020 mean so much. I am gratified that our Local 706 COVID-Safety Task Force recommendations have proven to be so valuable; they work, and have saved lives—not only in our Local, but across the United States and Canada. One benefit of the pandemic: I have talked to more members in the past year than in the 13 years prior—and it has been a blessing. This month, I begin my 15th year working in the Local 706 office, being of service to our members. No soy monedita de oro para caerle bien a todos… Still, every day, we strive to do our best. Vaccinations to keep us safe. Crewing our productions while being mindful to be inclusive of all of our members. Being a little more active in our Local, our union, in 2021. It all starts with you. You are the union. Please enjoy your issue of The Artisan. Sincerely and fraternally, Randy Sayer Valued Sisters, Brothers and kin, COVID-19 vaccine(s): Last month, the fed- eral Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two (2) COVID-19 vaccines for use this year: one from Pfizer, one from Moderna. Neither vaccine contains virus, so there is zero risk of "catching coronavirus" from getting vaccinated! Both vaccines are administered in two (2) doses, 21 days (Pfizer) or 28 days (Moderna) apart. Both vaccines are highly effective (about 95 per- cent) in protecting us against the virus— after both doses have been administered, and at least two weeks have elapsed after the second dose. The most common reac- tions to the vaccines are injection site pain, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle and joint pain; swollen lymph nodes have also been reported—although only about 5%-10% of us may develop these "quite noticeable side effects" (this is a good sign that our body is mounting an appropriate "immune response"). The vaccines will be administered in an order established by state and local authorities; healthcare workers received it first, then high-risk persons next—such as the elderly and residents of long-term care facilities. The vaccines should be available for the general population in a couple of months: late spring/early summer. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans—nor either administration—had a hand in creating these vaccines; both are coming from private pharmaceutical companies. I advise each of our members to talk to their healthcare professionals and seri- ously consider taking the vaccine when it is offered; an ounce (or two doses of 30 micrograms-100 micrograms) of preven- tion may be well worth a pound of cure. LOCAL PERSPECTIVE Diversity & Inclusivity: More diverse and encompassing story- lines have led to the casting of dynamic, talented actors show- casing a wide spectrum of complexions, genders, hair textures, and backgrounds; our hair & make-up departments need to reflect similar diversity, inclusivity and equality as well. If the BY RANDY SAYER Business Representative, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 Both vaccines are highly effective (about 95 percent) in protecting us against the virus. " "