It’s been a year since the first pandemic lockdowns began, but finally we have a new sense of hope as hospitals and health care systems worldwide begin distributing COVID-19 vaccines. The last year has challenged us all, but through the sacrifices, precautions, and heartache, our health care heroes have been a constant beacon of hope. And now the best way to thank our health care workers and bring this pandemic to an end is to get vaccinated.
To say that hospitals and health care systems have been under a lot of stress over the last 12 months would be an understatement, and yet they continually rise to the challenge to provide a critical lifeline to our communities. They’ve found ways to stretch space and beds to treat COVID patients, which sometimes meant expanding beyond the hospital walls. They’ve navigated — and solved — mask and PPE shortages so health care workers can treat patients safely. They’ve been essential to performing COVID testing.
Now, these very same hospitals are playing a huge role in administering COVID vaccines. This is especially true in rural areas, where hospitals have many hurdles to getting people vaccinated. Although they may already be strapped for staff and resources, those small hospitals are tackling the logistics of a mass vaccination program just so we can get back to some sense of normalcy. And, for rural residents, their community hospitals may very well be the only chance they have to get the vaccine.
For the last year, we’ve taken steps to physically distance ourselves from our loved ones, wear masks, and stop gathering in public. Those sacrifices were aimed to protect our health care workers and our hospitals to “flatten the curve,” preventing hospitals from being overrun and ensuring those health care systems can provide quality, lifesaving care.
Now, with vaccine production well underway, we have a new opportunity and a new way to say “thank you”: Get vaccinated! By getting the vaccine, you’re paying homage to everything that our local hospitals have been doing to keep us safe and healthy. You’re helping us get back to living a normal life, and you’re giving back to health care. To locate vaccine providers, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health or VaccineFinder.
Even after you’re vaccinated, there are still ways to make an impact. Hospitals need volunteers to staff community vaccination sites, so don’t hesitate to contact your local hospital if you can help. And, with technology being a barrier to older generations, you may also want to help your parents and any older people you know to secure a vaccine appointment online.
The pandemic doesn’t end with the vaccine. It’s critical that you continue practicing COVID safety, such as wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, even after you’re vaccinated. Our COVID-19 Hub will keep you updated on coronavirus information.
Together, we can give back to our community hospitals and defeat this pandemic!