The big stick

 

Many of us are ready to roll up our sleeves and get vaccinated against Covid 19. Details about who, when, and where are trickling out and subject to change as conditions merit.

Virginia, according to the state department of health, is using a phased approach to get those important shots into arms around the Commonwealth.

The first phase, 1a, targets healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities. This is a good place to start. Vaccinating those most susceptible to the virus and their caregivers should reduce the number of deaths and hospitalizations.

Next up in phase 1b are frontline essential workers including teachers and child care providers; police; fire-rescue; hazmat; people over 75; residents of correctional facilities; migrant labor camps; and homeless shelters.

In phase 1c, other essential workers; people over 65; and those over age 16 with underlying conditions.

See https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/ for details.

Virginia is currently in phases 1 and b. Presumably, it will move to phase 1c when additional vaccine doses are received. Goochland, however, is in phase 1 a.

 According to the vaccine summary on the VDH website, https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-in-virginia/ 476 Goochlanders have received at least one dose of vaccine.

According to Paul Drumwright, Administrative Services Manager for Goochland County, residents of long-term care facilities are being vaccinated via a federal partnership with CVS and Walgreens. Health care and EMS providers are being inoculated at their place of work or at the Chickahominy Health District vaccination site at Randolph Macon College in Ashland.

Drumwright said that, as the health district moves into later phases of the vaccination process, it will begin to hold vaccination events locally. Goochland County is identifying potential sites for this activity.

To find out when you will be eligible to obtain a vaccination, go to https://vdh.jebbit.com/amkwk6m1?L=Owned+Web&JC=Vaccine and sign up.

May Covid be in our collective rear view mirror soon.