If one lives in a small community like our communities in Charlotte County, gossip among citizens happens.
The word “gossip,” according to Webster’s New College Dictionary, is defined as a rumor or talk of a personal, intimate, and often sensational nature. It consists of trivial, chatty writing or talk.
No gossip here! For months our county has had none of that. Our county has been TOP SECRET concerning how, when and where one goes to get a COVID19 vaccine!
This reporter first heard “through the grapevine” that one must call our local health department to get your name on an appointment list. Well, when calling, all I received was, “What’s your birthdate and are you retired?” Nothing was mentioned about a list. The person speaking said that about 600 were already on a list and they did not know when they would receive the vaccine. Was I put on a list? I don’t think so.
Next up was to read our state and local papers that were printing the number of folks already getting their first shot and showing the lines of people waiting. Nothing was mentioned around here.
All of a sudden, one reads about the country’s cases and the number of citizens dying with more waiting in tents outside to be admitted to the already too full hospitals.
One bright note was that the state of West Virginia had brought in the vaccine to all their local pharmacies and the citizens of that whole state were already immunized. What happened to Virginia? We received bits and pieces concerning sites to visit and then were told that only by appointment could we get this vaccine.
Finally, Centra in Farmville announced the availability of the vaccine by appointment only. Some of our friends called and “lo and behold” quickly got an appointment. Only by the grace of God did Hubby and I get on the list. I had asked them to mention our names when they arrived and they did so. After returning home, they called to say that our names were put on a list and then, not ten minutes later, our phone rang with Centra on the line asking if we could come ASAP. We did, got our shot, and an appointment for shot number two. Our friends still can’t believe our luck but it wouldn’t haven’t happened without their help.
Many, many people I’ve talked to have had to travel to Danville, South Boston, Clarksville, North Carolina, etc. to receive their first shot and of course, had to return for their second one.
I really never thought to visit our county’s website. Some vaccine information was posted for our area, but not everyone has a computer. I still didn’t know about the site at R-HHS until I wondered why all the cars were lined up and viewed the many tents. Even with this vaccine site, some folks were turned away when they were given a time to be there. Their names were NOT on the list! One man, so upset because he had to miss a day of work, called Piedmont Health who returned his call with an appointment in Cumberland! My question is, “Why did our county folks have to travel so far?”
Give me a break! The whole country was getting the vaccine while Charlotte County watched. Thanks to all who saw the problem and set up the latest site. Now our local pharmacists have the vaccine by appointment.
Wake up Virginia! Gossip didn’t work this time. Perseverance did!
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