Pine Island COVID-19 Task Force discusses continuation of CDC safety precautions
At the most recent meeting of the Pine Island COVID-19 Task Force, member Martha Huard said she would like to find out from Lee Health whether it would be feasible to have an island vaccination site if it could be staffed with island medical personnel.
Fellow Task Force member Sue Dahod said she feels the issue may clear up given more time.
“I believe there’s going to be all kinds of new roll-out plans for vaccinations,” said Dahod. “Right now it’s just a waiting game.”
She said the Department of Health seemed to be understaffed during the testing stage of COVID-19, and adding immunizations to the list of things expected of medical personnel might be too much.
Task Force member Jim McLaughlin said to his knowledge all the walk-up testing clinics in Lee County have shut down with the exception of the Fort Myers Century Link site.
“The only other alternative are private medical centers — your own GP,” said McLaughlin.
Dahod agreed, adding that she believes all of the staff formerly working the testing centers has been turned over to vaccination sites.
Task Force leader Eric McCrea said, “Curative” has now been resourced at the site.
“I will tell you, having been there twice now,” said McCrea of the site, “it is a well-oiled machine. The last time we were there, we were there less than 20 minutes. There was a sizable line, but the line goes really fast.”
Member Katey Largay said while the available vaccine is a great thing, the need to remind people to follow CDC guidelines of public masking, washing and maintaining socially distant, since not everyone has been able to acquire immunization to the virus yet.
“In lieu of being vaccinated, that is still our best line of defense,” said Largay, explaining the importance of these things even if you are vaccinated. “Let’s not lose sight of the basics.”
“The people who are most at risk,” said Huard, “the front-line essential workers, haven’t had it offered to them,” mentioning positions such as grocery store clerks. “In a lot of states, the teachers and essential workers were offered it before the 65 and older. Florida hasn’t opened it for them at all.”
Member Ellen Ballard said, according to an article in the New York Times, protocols dictate if you’re going to be indoors, other than in your home, you should wear a double mask, with a surgical mask placed first and a cloth mask over it.
Huard agreed that these new protocols certainly pertain to travel, such as on an airplane.