I never figured that someday I would also be a contestant in such a race. But recently I have been forced to compete in a serious version of An Amazing Race against many thousands of seniors. The prize - a Covid vaccine shot.
We all know the background of the race. About a year ago Covid began to spread around the world. Many became very sick and many seniors, especially those with preexisting conditions, died. We isolated ourselves and gave up times with our family and friends. We wore masks, observed social distancing and constantly washed our hands. The days were very difficult but there was the hope of a new vaccine.
Then after many months several vaccines were finally approved. Plans were announced with several phases of folks who could get them. First it was the first responders and medical employees. This would take several months but it was appropriate.
The second phase was to be those of us who were over 65 and those who had serious physical needs. My wife and I were in this group and we felt that we would soon be able to get our shots. But how wrong we were.
Suddenly the authorities changed their mind and announced that the vaccine could be given as well to those in the second phase. The Amazing Race began.
Word was out that appointments were available at some of the hospitals and at strange locations like Weis Markets. Somehow a younger friend of ours got one at a Weis store. Several were able to get them many miles away at a hospital in the Lehigh Valley . One man was promised an appointment the end of February in Lewistown, again about a hundred miles away.
We contacted our family doctors who sent us a statement from Penn State Health that they couldn't help us at present. All the other places we contacted were out of appointments and out of vaccines. We were hitting all the roadblocks in this race for a vaccine.
Then last Tuesday my wife received a surprise notice on her LGH portal that said she was suddenly able to schedule a shot. She quickly scheduled one for February 9 and should receive it then - if they don't again run out of vaccine.
I then contacted my five LGH specialists who all said that they didn't know anything about these openings and couldn't help me. I guess there has been no communication among LGH staff members, all of whom have probably received their shots.
I also contacted the doctor who sent my wife the invitation. We have never dealt with him in the past but it turns out that he is head of he LGH vaccine program and one of the leaders in the Lancaster County effort. His secretary replied that she was sorry that I wasn't eligible despite the fact that I have COPD, diabetes, cancer, had five heart by-passes and am almost 80. After more correspondence she shared that those who had been invited had been patients at the cancer center or the diabetes center of LGH. I replied that while I had never been part of either of these centers, I am beating treated by a host of LGH specialists for these conditions. Unfortunately that isn't enough at present. So The Amazing Race continues.
It is interesting that my wife qualified because every year she has an MRI and meets with a doctor from Philadelphia at the LGH cancer center to check on a growth on her pancreas. She doesn't have cancer but her appointments there qualified her for the vaccine. Thankfully at least she will be able to get the shots - if they have them.
Now what is the cause of the problem. First, the state changed the eligibility rules without any advance notice to the counties who have to administer it. Suddenly almost 250,000 of us were now eligible with no increase in vaccine.
The state continues to ship only portions of what has been ordered locally. For example, LGH requested 4,500 doses this week but received less than half of that.
And local providers must be able to provide a second shot in a month so they must watch their supplies carefully.
Distribution by the state has unfortunately favored certain areas over others. For example, Lehigh Valley with a population a third less than Lancaster's received more than two and a half times the number of doses than Lancaster. I guess that is why some local seniors have been able to go to Bethlehem to get shots. Maybe this is the Democratic governor's way of getting back at an area where Republican leadership has taken him on recently. He did punish Lebanon County a few months ago for their challenge of his rules. He can be nasty and full of revenge. Who knows, maybe this is political revenge.
After a major news conference held locally on Thursday, the recommendation of the chief expert was for "county residents to contact their existing health care providers to inquire about how to schedule a vaccination appointment." Thanks for the advice - done that already with no valid or helpful advice received.
On Tuesday we were with one of my wife's specialists who had just gotten his second shot. He told us that he had asked his provider if his elderly mother could get a shot . The provider called back and said that if he brings her in immediately he can give her a shot. He suddenly had some available because 40 of his vaccine appointments were "no shows" and the vaccine would quickly become useless if not used.
So The Amazing Race continues. And we keep scrambling and looking.
Oh yes, one more thing. Nobody really knows about the real value of this "prize". It might not even cover the new variations of Covid and those who get it may still be contagious and will need to continue with all the present recommendations anyway.
So the bottom line - no matter what happens in this "race" one needs to heed all the recommendations and above all, trust the Lord, not the government authorities who appear to be botching the response to Covid.
The race continues, so be careful, be safe and trust in the Lord and keep looking up!
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