FEMA Vaccine Site at Valencia College

Now that teachers are allowed to get vaccinated, Pam and I went to the Valencia College, FEMA Vaccination site. White tents were set up in the college parking lot and National Guard troops handled much of the logistics.

This sketch was done in the first of a series of switchbacks. The site officially opened at 7am and we were there about an hour early. We didn’t actually wait an hour since the line started pressing forward before I finished this sketch.

In each of the seven tents we had to provide a drivers license and proof of school employment. We had to answer questions about foreign travel, and if we had any COVID-19  symptoms. Temperature checks happened several times. It was nice to be in a place where everyone wore a mask. Pubic health took priority over politics. White Tape marks on the pavement kept people six feet apart in line.

We had a choice to take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine. We chose Pfizer. The shot itself was quick and painless. Now I am waiting to see if I get any side effects. Honestly I feel good. This is the first time I have felt some hope for humanity. The birds are chirping, and the weather is gorgeous. Perhaps life is beginning to return to normal. In April we will return to this site for our second dose of the vaccine.

Pfizer said its Covid-19 vaccine blocked 94% of asymptomatic infections in an Israeli study. The study also found the vaccine was at least 97% effective against symptomatic Covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths, the company said.