COVID Vaccine, Not Easy to Access
By: Alex Stavitsky-Zeineddin
As Maryland moves into phase 1C, people 65 and over are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The question for many is where to find information about registering for the vaccine. An additional concern is for those who are home bound and who lack mobility. Where will they find transportation to the vaccination sites once they have an appointment? Also, many people 75 and older have not had much luck getting an appointment for a vaccine though they have tried.
Some members and volunteers of the Village at Kentlands and Lakelands have recently received their first vaccines. While personally happy, they feel guilty and worried for those who have not been able to get vaccinated. They are also aware that they can become asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19.
Deborah Trunzo, who is a Village member and volunteer, received her first vaccine recently. While personally relieved, she is concerned about her younger family members. “They are unlikely to get vaccinated for many more months. And the proliferation of variants is another worry. So my relief is just for myself, which, as any parent knows, is not enough! “
Deborah is still keeping a safe distance from her family and others, is also wearing a mask and shopping online because she knows she needs to be careful.
All of this has been frustrating for Deborah. “The most positive thing for me over the past year has been an increased closeness with my family. I talk to my three adult children almost every day. One lives in Colorado, one in Delaware, and one in Gaithersburg.” However, Deborah continues, “We will stick to what we have to do to get through the pandemic. We are very fortunate to have shelter, food, good health, comfort, safe jobs, and family. Taking risks is not worth it.”
There are a couple of ways to locate sites that administer the vaccine. Montgomery County residents can call 311 or 240-777-0311 if you need help registering or if you do not have access to the internet. For those who have internet access, you can go to https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ . The American Association of Retired Persons also has information by state.
https://states.aarp.org/maryland/covid-19-vaccine-distribution.
The Village at Kentlands and Lakelands volunteers are willing to take people to appointments. All you need to do is call Jean Mocarski at 240-449-9002 or send her an email at: jeanmocarski@gmail.com