Comment
Joyful
It was so easy. The only challenging bit was navigating the provincial Covid vaccination site and booking the booster shot (even that wasn’t so hard). Once I arrived at the Picton community centre, I was processed promptly and humanely. With kindness and patience. Then I was out the door. Twenty minutes. So easy.
It was also, I dare say, a bit joyful, to see so many fellow residents getting boosted. Dozens at a time. A bit more protected than they were 20 minutes earlier. Joyful too, to see so many folks giving up their Saturday to scrutinize lists, move stock and tend to the needs of the healthcare professionals administering the vaccine. The Prince Edward County Family Health Team. Supported by community service groups including Picton and Wellington Rotary Clubs, PEC Lions Club, Picton Kinettes.
Behind the scenes, dozens of County staff across all departments are replacing their normal work shift to volunteer. Others are pitching in to pick up the slack.
Then there was the evident efficiency. The County folk responsible for this facility kept a close eye on the process—anticipating potential logjams. They screened The Polar Express on the big screen at the front of the hall. Likely meant to divert the attention of the younger cohort—the flickering screen animated by the oddly expressive faces in the movie was appreciated by most as they watched the clock—waiting to ensure there were no ill effects from the jab.
Other municipal staff ran ahead tabulating the unfilled vaccine slots—due to noshows or changed circumstances. From this list, they put out a series of calls to a list of first responders still awaiting a booster. In this way, they were doing their utmost to ensure no wasted vaccine or processing capacity.
My wish for this Christmas season is that we continue to ramp up vaccine supply and our ability to put it into arms. For what is coming—is coming. Masks may help. Limiting contact with others may slow down the fate marching toward us. Vaccines may limit serious health outcomes including hospitalizations and ventilators. Responsible behaviour may blunt the worst.
But the omicron variant is coming. It is expanding exponentially, meaning it is marching toward us at a much faster rate than public policies can adjust or respond. It is now up to each of us to protect ourselves our families as best as we are able. The good news—if there is any in this—is that it will happen quickly. The virus will likely burn through the population in a matter of weeks.
For the unvaccinated, it will be nearly impossible to hide from the omicron variant. It spreads too quickly. Too efficiently.
We each have an individual responsibility to take steps to blunt the impact. By now we know what these are, and don’t require more prodding from this corner. It seems the focus over the next few weeks ought to be on kids.
According to the data provided to Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit, there are 11,790 children in this region between five and 12. Just over a third—about 4,000—have received a vaccine. That means just under 8,000 remain exposed.
As of Monday, 11 of 20 outbreaks reported by the Health Unit were in schools or childcare centres. That children are now—mostly—home for the holidays, is likely a good thing. It buys some time.
I want to hear more ideas about how we can ramp up vaccine distribution. Does this mean longer hours? More facilities? Do we have sufficient vaccine supply to vaccinate 24/7?
I have confidence our municipal folks will respond effectively and proactively—something they have done throughout this pandemic. But I don’t know the factors limiting distribution. Is it supply? Or is it demand? Bit of both? We need transparency in the supply chain. To highlight the weak or fracturing links.
It seems many, many folks have decided over the last few days to get the booster. Many more are likely to do so over the next few days. There has even been a marked upswing in the number of first doses administered.
Are we doing enough to meet this demand? How can we help?
Follow the Times website over the holidays for updates.
If ever there was a time to give you a nod for your “comment” it is for this one. Thank you Rick for asking the question – How can we help?” It is great that you had no problem getting an appointment, booking through the Ontario bookings system. There are a lot out here who did not have that same experience but being the true diehards they are, they persevered and are in clinics in Peterborugh, Cobourg , Belleville awaiting their January, Februrary appointments.
The question I would like to ask is what about those people who do not have smart phones, internet, computers to get the information needed to get into the process? What about the older generation that may not be computer savvy? Many people have commented that navigating the booking portal has been a “nighmare” only to end up kicked off, told there are no clinics in our area (when clinics have been announced on radio and by HPEPH) or within an hour of opening, all slots are booked. It seems that the Ontario government does not deem Hastings Prince Edward (rural Ontario ) worthy of establishing clinics in a timely manner. Now I hear that they are limited by lack of volunteers.
How can we help in this area. Once people have their booster is there something we can do behind the scenes to help support our nurses, doctors and those qualified and PERMITTED by the ministry of health to administer the vaccinations?
You are right, it is up to us to do everything we can to stem the spread of the virus. It is a reality we are facing, not a theoretical scenario…the virus kills and denying it not only puts you at risk but your neighbour, your mother, your child, your best friend and that elderly couple down the street.
Cannot wait until you come up with answers to your questions…I am ready to volunteer. It is the right thing to do.