How far would you drive to get the Covid-19 vaccine?
Hello from Phase 1b.
For the last four days, people age sixty-five and up have been eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. That's me and a majority of my people. We can now get shot up at doctor's offices, hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores and anywhere that the vaccine is distributed....provided you have an appointment. BUT, the trick is to get an appointment. As of this writing, I don't know of anyone who has had the vaccine that had an appointment. The folks I know who have had the vaccine either had a call from their doctor's office or happened to be in the right place at the right time, such as when a pharmacy was closing and there were extra doses.
There was a lot of luck involved. There also seems to be a lot of driving involved.
The first two people I knew that were vaccinated drove forty-five and seventy-five minutes. It made me think about if I would be willing to do that? Would I go to Kenosha or even Milwaukee to get vaccinated? Sure...why not...beggars can't be choosers in a pandemic.
On Monday, when phase 1b began, I saw a news report on how a convention center in Tinley Park, Illinois was going to doing mass vaccinations once they receive their share of doses. Tinley Park, which is so much in the middle of nowhere that when The Who performed a concert at the city's Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, and tickets were available for five dollars...that's right, FIVE DOLLARS...I said uh uh. From my house to Tinley Park is sixty-five miles. If there's no traffic, that's a little more than one hour. Good luck on that no traffic thing.
Talking about that no traffic thing, what about vaccinations at places that aren't long rides? Maybe a place that is convenient to home? Last week I checked with Walgreens that is across the street from where I live. The pharmacist hadn't heard about when they'll begin vaccinations. Okay, so what about the Jewel grocery store that's a five-minute walk? Their pharmacist said the same thing. How about my doctor's office down the street? Not only didn't my doctor not know when it would be available there, but she also said the workers in the office hadn't been vaccinated yet. OY!!
It's not only those few places. That's the story you hear in almost all fifty states. I'm not sure who is to blame for this, or if there's even any blame to be given. Maybe we should just be grateful there's a vaccine available so quickly and show some patience.
So be prepared for two trips to Tinley Park. Sixty-five miles compared to the deadly alternative. Maybe The Who will be playing on the day of your vaccination and you can get two scores for one trip. Win/Win!!
Related Post: I was lucky to get the Covid-19 vaccine
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