Sunday, January 31, 2021

THE VACCINE

 I got home late afternoon after leaving at 8:45AM for a 3+ drive (one-way) to Charlotte, NC.  I almost didn’t go!  Our weather was terrible, snow/ice/sleet/fog..….fortunately, we pretty much drove out of it into all rain.  When I say WE drove out of it....basically that means "the husband" drove out of it.  Anyone who knows me, knows I'm totally directionally challenged, I'm lucky I can find my way to Asheville, never mind Charlotte! 

Atrium Health held a  2 1/2 day MASS Covid vaccination event at the Panther’s football station, dab smack in downtown Charlotte, NC.  Because of an alert friend (thank you Arlene) I snagged an appointment.  Traffic was a bit of a drag as you got close, but once parked folks were there to direct you as you began the 10 min. walk to the stadium.  Everyone must of taken happy pills….each person, every step of the way was cheereful, helpful and just plain swell.  It was kinda like going to Disneyworld with maze after maze to pass through...hummm also like following the yellow brick road but instead, there were blue 6' spacing stickers!!  Everyone was social distancing, respectful, & patient....I found that so positive.  

Again…happy, happy cheerful volunteers.  VERY efficient……I was in and back to our car in less than 45 mins. which includes the 15 min. observation time and the two 10 min. walks from the parking garage.  (Though I will admit - not kidding here - to taking photos of what I was passing in case I had trouble finding the car again.) Truly it was so well run, that wasn't necessary.  A negative is that it’s a 6 hr. round trip drive.  However, I’ll gratefully do again for my 2nd vaccine injection in a month!!  

Can't say enough good things about how well this was organized and grateful to get shot #1, though events like these seem to be reducing the number of vaccines available for smaller local counties like mine.  Thankfully I was able to make the trip, but so many more elderly don't have that option.....it's such a dilemma for those in charge of getting the vaccine distributed.

AND who did I find in line getting her shot....well yes....it was Chrissy Crisis!!!


Whoo Hoo.....Chrissy and Mary have one down and one to go!!!!


7 comments:

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Great! Glad you are on your way to being safe with vaccinations!

Nancy said...

So glad the event itself went so smoothly! As I mentioned, I was impressed with the systems our county had in place to accomplish this as well. It's a confidence boost to know that well-run vaccine clinics can and do happen. But, ugh, the weather. Good you drove out of the worst of it. You met the challenge! Hooray. Saw some of the Porsche event on tv- those cars looked so pretty at night.

The Inside Stori said...

This was the first time Nancy since 2006 that we weren't there.....though staying all night has never been something we've done......honestly the cold wind off the ocean is usually something I can only handle when the sun is up!

The Inside Stori said...

OOPS.......that should have read since 2000.....that's when 'the husband' retired and we started making the trek to FL from Wisconsin......even bought snow tires for our Porsche!

Lynda said...

Mary, So glad you got the vaccine. Sorry you had to drive so far. I got mine just by driving about 20 minutes to the next town. It was amazing how organized everything was including the parking lot. And like your experience, everyone was happy and helpful. I go for my second shot Monday. Kind of dread it since everyone has said the second shot may involve some reactions, but nothing serious. Even the employee making sure those of us waiting after the shot were okay, said to make sure you don't plan anything for the day after the second shot. Can't wait until we are all safe and healthy.

The Inside Stori said...

Lynda....happy to know you are almost to your 2nd shot...SUPER! 'The husband's' 1st shop was in our county, he's in the over 75 group (our county did not adapt 65 and over....they broke ages up into 75 and 65....I'm 2 months short of the 75 so got put in a much larger group. Locally they finally got a good system going, 'the husband' - from our door to the fairground drive through and back home took about 45 mins. which included a 15+ min. each way. But now, seems allotments are being greatly reduced locally in favor of giving them to the mass vaccine events......so I decided to do what was necessary to get mine despite the hassle of the 6+ hr. round trip drive. For all the worries about carbon emissions etc. they have all us old people driving hours to get their vaccine.....geesh. Alas, the goal is to get us all safe again.....

Sherrie Spangler said...

You're not the only directionally challenged person to take pictures along the way! I take pictures of where I park the car in malls, airport parking lots, even at the Sisters Quilt Show one year! And congrats on getting the vaccine! I'm still waiting for AZ to give it to those 65-74.