Slow and frustrating

 “Vaccines are safe, effective, and lifesaving.”

—Alex Azar

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT is so depressing to know that only 43,835 Filipinos have been vaccinated in the last seven days, according to reports.

If this turtle-paced approach to fight the pandemic by health authorities in the Philippines will go on, many Filipinos won’t be vaccinated when the next President (Sara Carpio or Bongbong Marcos) prepares to move out of Malacanang in 2028.

If the United States can only extend the vaccinations in the Philippines, most Filipinos will be inoculated before the end of 2021.

Because of economic factor, there’s a whale of difference in the way the US conducts the Covid-19 vaccination compared to those from the Third World countries, especially in the Philippines. 

While the Filipinos and other Southeast Asian countries are facing a vaccine shortage, the Americans appear to have an abundance of the vaccines; the only problem is that some Americans are still hesitant to be inoculated.

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, for instance, announced April 22 that beginning Friday, April 23, 16 mass vaccination sites will accept walk-in appointments for individuals age 60 and older. 

New York State will set aside a vaccine allocation to facilitate this expanded vaccination access. 

There may be a wait for those opting to walk-in at some sites depending on demand. Additionally, all proof of identity and insurance information, if applicable, will be needed.

“Every day our state moves closer to a post-pandemic future by vaccinating more New Yorkers, and we're building on that momentum by making it easier for our residents to get vaccinated, expanding eligibility and opening new vaccination sites across the state," Cuomo said. 

"We're taking that effort a step further and making the vaccine more accessible to older New Yorkers by allowing walk-ins to get vaccinated at 16 mass vaccination sites. A robust vaccination program is vitally important to the public health, and we're working 24/7 to get shots in arms, protect New Yorkers and move the state forward."

 

-o0o-

Here’s another email from the governor dated April 22, 2021 which he also sent to other New Yorkers:

Dear Alex, The dedication and determination of New Yorkers in fighting the COVID pandemic is stronger than ever and it shows in the numbers. Yesterday the positivity rate in New York State was 2.06 percent—the lowest one-day positivity since November 5. 

Hospitalizations dropped to their lowest level since November 29. 

Still, we have a lot of work ahead to get New Yorkers vaccinated and to achieve a sufficient level of immunity to defeat this virus once and for all. 

Help us spread the word and encourage your friends and neighbors to get vaccinated!

1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,567. Of the 242,432 tests reported yesterday, 4,996, or 2.06 percent, were positive. 

The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.57 percent. There were 811 patients in ICU yesterday, down six from the previous day. Of them, 499 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 45 New Yorkers to the virus.

2. As of 11am this morning, 43.0 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 177,255 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 13,929,970 total doses with 29.7 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker. 

3. Starting tomorrow morning, New Yorkers age 60 and up are eligible for walk-in vaccine appointments. Walk-in vaccine appointments will be accommodated for these individuals at 16 mass vaccination sites across the state. See the list here.

4. Reminder that public and private employees in NY are granted time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Last month, I signed legislation that grants employees up to four hours of excused leave per vaccine appointment that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued. 

Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A 17-year-old boy from Geneseo, NY, has an important message for all New Yorkers: Get vaccinated. 

After getting both doses of the vaccine at the Rochester Dome Arena vaccination site, Zachary Mogavero used his talent as an illustrator to express his gratitude for the staff at the site and to encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated. 

His design will be displayed as flyers and given out as stickers at the Rochester vaccination site. 

Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)