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Channeling @gradydoctor in the hospital this week, I decided to broach the topic of the #COVID19 vaccine as opportunities arose.
Many initially hesitant/opposed but all willing to chat.
Main takeaway: We’ve got a mountain to climb.
1/n
Many initially hesitant/opposed but all willing to chat.
Main takeaway: We’ve got a mountain to climb.
1/n
I’ve been so impressed w/ the rollout @umichmedicine but learned that sitters not directly employed by the hospital haven’t been offered vaccine?!
I’m hoping this was an oversight & can be remedied quickly.
It was common as I was chatting for others passing by to join.
2/n
I’m hoping this was an oversight & can be remedied quickly.
It was common as I was chatting for others passing by to join.
2/n
My friend L is high risk (older, Black, smoker, works in EVS) & heard me lamenting that a sitter hadn’t been offered a vaccine.
She laughed & offered up her own. This led to a long conversation about how the vaccine works (clarifying that it isn’t virus that’s injected),
3/n
She laughed & offered up her own. This led to a long conversation about how the vaccine works (clarifying that it isn’t virus that’s injected),
3/n
why it offers more protection than her daily garlic & supplements, my personal experience with it & how many millions have had it.
She hugged me, thanked me, and said ok, I’m in, where do we go?
I explained that it wasn’t that easy but we’d figure it out together.
4/n
She hugged me, thanked me, and said ok, I’m in, where do we go?
I explained that it wasn’t that easy but we’d figure it out together.
4/n
After some issues with email (she’d never opened her work account), we logged on together, found the link & realized she also wasn’t signed up for the portal (where appts are scheduled).
I got her signed up & we filled out the form identifying her risks & interest.
5/n
I got her signed up & we filled out the form identifying her risks & interest.
5/n
She was pretty overwhelmed at this point so I volunteered to schedule it & tag along.
Sadly I can’t do that for everyone.
There is so much misinformation out there but I was surprised at how many of those initially hesitant came around following our discussions.
6/n
Sadly I can’t do that for everyone.
There is so much misinformation out there but I was surprised at how many of those initially hesitant came around following our discussions.
6/n
So many thanked me for bringing it up.
There is so much misinformation out there to counteract.
Hospitals need to make a concerted effort to reach out to employees & the community & ensure they have the information needed to make an educated decision.
7/n
There is so much misinformation out there to counteract.
Hospitals need to make a concerted effort to reach out to employees & the community & ensure they have the information needed to make an educated decision.
7/n
And should be working to make the process easier as those at highest risk (elderly, poor) are least able to navigate the system.
We need systemic support & so much more but don’t discount the difference that YOU can make.
Human connection & open ears go a long way.
8/fin
We need systemic support & so much more but don’t discount the difference that YOU can make.
Human connection & open ears go a long way.
8/fin
