COVID-19 Task Force discusses its role at upcoming MangoMania
Plans to offer information and answer questions about COVID-19 vaccinations at the upcoming MangoMania event were discussed at the weekly meeting of the Pine Island COVID Task Force Monday, June 21.
Task Force member Dr. Daniel Hanley reported having secured a booth at the event, as one of the vendors, and said he will be visible and available to address any community concerns, however he does not see the event as an appropriate setting for dispensing vaccinations.
“People are going there with the family to play games, do some shopping and maybe some drinking,” Hanley said. “I’m not sure how well vaccinations would go, because it’s not a medical atmosphere.”
Hanley said he’s interested in keeping an ongoing conversation regarding vaccinations without being “too pushy.”
“We can absolutely offer information and talk to people about the vaccines,” Hanley said. “I’m thinking of doing an ‘ask me anything’ type of session, where people can stop by and ask random questions. Nothing is off-limits — within reason. I feel it’s a bit more of an approachable way to get the conversation going.”
Those who have not received the vaccine, he said, likely have a reason. Task Force member Ellen Ballard suggested an announcement from the Beacon of Hope regarding the organization’s next vaccine administration. Hanley said he hopes to continue working with the Beacon of Hope to get the community vaccinated, as the organization has many good resources.
Fellow Task Force member Martha Huard said the MangoMania event would be a good opportunity to emphasize the safety of the community at large, for those who may feel the decision to remain unvaccinated affects only them or their family.
Huard, who has given over 500 COVID-19 immunizations throughout the pandemic, said it’s important to let the community know that Hanley will be available to administer COVID-19 vaccinations in his Bokeelia clinic.
“The new Delta variant spreads so fast that you could have it and not know it and pass it on to so many people,” Huard said. “I think people were thinking about that early on, but now they feel like it’s past tense. Looking at the states that have high immunization rates and how low their numbers are, compared to the ones that have low immunizations … and their numbers are going up so quickly.”
“The message in this state,” said Ballard of Florida, “is that we are wide open, go about your business, have fun, spend money, do everything. For us to send a very contrary message is a very hard sell.”
Huard maintains that the only way to open a state effectively without the number of cases soaring is to become a state that is well vaccinated.
Task Force member Jim McLaughlin asked Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit if there was a common response from the community on choosing to remain unvaccinated. Mickuleit said a commonality had not come up in the field, adding that any patient is HIPPA protected, which would prohibit him from answering the question regardless.
“One thing I want to add,” said Hanley, “is simple, clear, consistent messaging. Washing your hands, wearing a mask if you’re sick, watching your personal space — those are all things we’ve been pushing since day one. The vaccine is a part of that. I feel as long as we remain consistent, eventually people will change their minds.”