DOCTORS ' LOUNGE
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Mark Jeziorski , are working 12 hour days , constantly monitoring the numbers in six lanes of waiting cars versus the number of opened vials . They do this all day long , but with growing tension as 6:00 p . m . approaches . After all cars are through , leftover doses are parceled out to volunteers based on shifts served , advanced age and whether or not they are first responders . But all volunteers completing ten shifts will get appointments to come through by car .
The most fun job is giving people shots . You have to be a licensed nurse or doctor , and for docs , you have to know how ( psych MD ’ s might need to practice ). I have worked with OB-GYN Dr . Jim Forrester , and orthopedics Doc Bill Renda and his wife Susan , and anesthesia retirees Dr . Sharon Merker and Dr . Mike Heine ; I ’ ve seen Dr . Cynthia Rigby and Dr . Marge Fitzgerald , Dr . Anna Huang and Dr . Chris McClellan , and I am certain many more docs are helping , just not on my shifts . Dr . Nancy Newman gave me the vaccine when it was my turn . It was such a pleasure to see her smiling eyes . I got teary driving out , thinking of all the people I miss so much .
A slight tension can develop at the injection station , as we all introduce ourselves and see who will handle the computer - that should be just one person , it takes concentration and must be exactly correct every time - and who will take turns giving the jabs . The computer sign-in changes as the shot-giver ID changes , so we have to be adult about it all . When a 20 degree wind whistles through those big barn doors , moving is a boon , and you move around more when you give the shots . Each time , we quiz the recipient yet again re : ID , previous allergic reactions , and readiness and teach them what to expect from first or second dose , and if they ’ ve survived COVID-19 already . We answer their questions and we do all this with dispatch . On various days , our lane was so efficient we were giving shots every three to four minutes , and it felt wonderful . Certain shot-givers tend to drone on , and one can feel the rest of the injection staff stiffen their shoulders , repeatedly . Cows are the usual inhabitants of Broadbent Arena , and our goal is to head ’ em up and move ’ em out , cowboys . Don ’ t drone . We ’ ve got a whole city to vaccinate .
Dr . Carrico , as immediate past president of the Kentucky Nurses Association , has mobilized a lot of RN volunteers , and Dr . SarahBeth Hartlage of the Health Dept . has praised our numbers , so far . As of early February , we have completed the first doses of all Jefferson County Public School and private / Catholic school teachers ; we are on track to try for 2,000 / doses a day , if we can get enough vaccine . As you read this , the Johnson & Johnson / Janssen vaccine may already be in use , and as a one-shot deal that will speed the process considerably . After the teachers , we will begin the next phase , 1C , those over 60 , essential workers , and those over 16 with high-risk health problems . Kentucky , so far , has vaccinated twice as many white people as Black people ; the disparity is even higher nationally . We do collect race and gender data for use by public health officials . The regional vaccination centers opening up around Kentucky and
the pharmacies ’ expanded roles might help this , as we move into the general population phases .
To volunteer : fill out forms on https :// louisvilleky . gov / government / health-wellness / volunteer-public-health-and-wellness ; later you sign a bunch of online consents ; then you sign on to My Impact ( you will be sent a link once accepted as a volunteer ) and hunt for shifts . New shift opportunities drop every Friday afternoon : be vigilant .
Virus variants may yet require a third or even fourth shot . This might become an annual ritual ; we all hope to live to see that , eventually . But you can help right now , today - and in the months to come , the many months to come . Answer the call . Your city needs you more than ever .
Dr . Barry is an internist and Associate Professor of Medicine ( Gratis Faculty ) at the University of Louisville School of Medicine , currently taking a six-month sabbatical .
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For more information , visit :
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32 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE