Opening Day at Fenway Park - Covid19 Vaccinations!

February 1, 2021

https://www.boston.com/news/coronavirus/2021/01/30/coronavirus-vaccine-fenway-park

Phase 2 of the Massachusetts rollout of Covid vaccine began yesterday, February 1 at Fenway Park in Boston.

 

The Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) hit a Grand Slam..

No Fenway Franks, no hawkers tossing paper bags of peanuts up ten rows in the grandstand with better accuracy than some of the pitchers on the mound,  no guys standing on milk crates in the concourse selling programs, no sound of a full house crowd cheering on the Sox - something waaay better - the first round of vaccinations in Phase 2 in Massachusetts.

The concrete concourse inside the 112-year-old diamond in the rough known as Fenway Park (or 'Paak' depending on where you grew up) had a lineup of volunteers and professionals who worked together with the efficiency of the crew that covers the entire infield in five minutes flat when the rain begins to fall during a ball game.

Today demanded that kind of efficiency - a nor'easter was on the way. In a blast email from CIC, everyone with an appointment after 2 PM was urged to cancel or report in the morning. I was in the lineup at 10 AM, my friend Susaan at 3:30 PM. We rolled out to Fenway at 9 AM. Beat the storm, maybe even beat the crowd. We did beat the storm. Beat the crowd not so much - lots of people had the same idea we did.

Not to worry. The CIC logistics managed the plan like a veteran manager would pencil in his lineup for a big game. This huge set up with hundreds of moving parts from entry at Gate A on Jersey Street to the exit on the same street. It was flawless.

Show your confirmed appointment at Gate A. Enter the concourse. Read the signs inside the door. Stay on the circular 6 foot decals. Get a little loose about compliance and a floor manager points to the decal. You sheepishly stand right on it. When you reach a row of desks separated by plexiglass, show your insurance card,  sign a form confirming normal temperature and no contact with anyone with Covid19 symptoms and you join the line ahead.

The line snakes way up the concourse to a destination unseen as yet. Every 30 to 90 seconds follow the person in front of you to stand on the next 6 foot decal. After half an hour, notice the 15 minute waiting area in which people are sitting after being vaccinated. You're getting close.

Ten minutes later see a row of chairs, tiny desks and a nurse or medical student vaccinating those ahead. One raises her hand. I'm walking from the on-deck circle to the plate.

I am inexplicably nervous for a moment then full of anticipation. Amanda greets me, has a sealed vaccination needle of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID‑19 vaccine ready. Which arm?  Take off shirt. Right arm. A quick alcohol rub to clean then a shot i barely felt. WOW...DONE!

Amanda fills out a COVID-19 Vaccination Card with my DOB, Product Name,  Manufacturer and Lot Number on one side and "Reminder! Return for a second dose! with 2/22/21 she's inscribed on the reverse side.

Another card she gives me - "Important Next Steps" has  an address cic-health.com/Fenway and a QR code on one side and "Please remain in the observation area until 11:07 AM on the other side.

I am directed to a chair by a volunteer who checks the time. A few minutes later another volunteer with a laptop on a rolling cart greets me. "Would you like to schedule your second dose?"

"Yes indeed!" Then and there I officially sign up for my second dose on February 22.

While waiting for the next 15 minutes I peruse the "What to Expect after Getting a Covid-19 Vaccine" brochure.

What seamless planning and execution! Fenway Park is easy access by public or private transportation, the whole shebang happens undercover and indoors so no worries about weather.  Semi-trailer sized space heaters keep the concrete and steel interior warm. It is 32 degrees F outside.

A first dose of vaccination is not a magic bullet. I still need to mask up, wash my hands, keep a small social bubble. I'll do the same after the second dose. I'm doing what's necessary because some day down the road I want to go dancing, head to my favorite eateries, and visit my friends in Lafayette, LA.

Everyone here today has hopes, dreams, and anticipation for a future without Covid. Some have had losses so much deeper than mine, losing friends, parents, businesses. I am healthy enough. My friends and families have not been savaged by Covid 19. I am mindful and grateful for that.

I'm in that crevice between grieving for what's lost and hoping for what can be recovered. Time and again i remind myself of the words of the poet Antonio Machado as he considered the 600-mile pilgrimage walk  El Camino Real -  "There is no road, walking makes the road."

I'm walking.

XXXXXXX

Start at Gate A on Jersey Street

 Line up, sign up

Follow the line...

My turn !

Make an appointment for second shot while in recovery area

 

Photo opp on the way out...

Who knew the most important event this year at Fenway would have nothing to do with baseball!

Photo by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.

 

Helpful sites

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/coronavirus/public-to-get-first-glimpse-of-fenway-mass-vaccination-site/2288562/

https://www.boston.com/news/coronavirus/2021/01/30/coronavirus-vaccine-fenway-park

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-locations

or Google "how long is the california el camino real"

 

 

 

Comments

[Mark and Shelley]

Congrats, PT! You don’t say whether you had any side effects from the first shot bu,t whether you did or not, you’re certainly more likely to have them after tomorrow’s shot, so you should expect that. But even if you have flu symptoms for a few days, you’ll be vaccinated and that’s great!! Actually, it will still be a week before you’re at full immunity, but at least you’ve done all you can to be safe. That’s awesome!!

Congrats, again!

[Paul A Tamburello aka pt at large]

I did not have much reaction to my first shot other than a sore arm for a day of two. I took a nap when I got home then was good to go the next day.
Thanks for the heads up re the second shot Ill let you know soon...

[Sal Falzone]

Paul,

I should could use a night out watching you go dancing!

Thanks and Stay Healthy,

Sal

[Cousin Carol]

And, dear one, my second vaccine shot is on Thursday! I went to an Ash Wednesday service at the Congregational Church, Stockbridge (member since 2019). It was, of course, totally outside, and the Sunday services are on Zoom. “Oh Brave New World … .” And, we most certainly are in the midst of a Tempest –politically and environmentally. Remember when we used to give up something for Lent?
Well, WHAT is left to give up?.

Sent with virtual hugs and real love

Cugina C

[Susan Kavet]

Yay for vaccinations!

[Cathleen Cavanaugh]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for writing and sending this out. And the comparison to the Camino. IT all starts with one step. Glad you are on your way to complete vaccination. I get my first shot next Monday.
Stay healthy, happy, centered!
Cathleen

[Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. aka pt at large]

Ons step at a time, definitely Cathleen. I’m feeling good and being careful in my small bubble.
My friend Susaan who went with me wanted to celebrate with lunch at Fiorello’s in Newton. Plexiglass between every two stools at the counter and between us and the bartender. The fried eggplant entrée with a walnut and goat cheese salad was a terrific reward and in a safe environment. How did your first shot go for you, where?

[Myke Farricke]

El Bombé - Great writing! And congrats on getting your 2nd shot!

[M]

A good story, Paul, and, yes, the most important event at Fenway.

M

[sfalzone@withum.com Sal Falzone]

Paul,

I should could use a night out watching you go dancing!

Thanks and Stay Healthy,

Sal

[Susan Bennett]

Well done PT! We got our first shots on the 19th but have to wait a month for the 2nd. It is a relief but doesn’t change daily life much, if at all. We’re being very careful. No trips planned yet. I hope you’ll be dancing in LA soon. ❤️

[Cousin Carol]

And, dear one, my second vaccine shot is on Thursday! I went to an Ash Wednesday service
at the Congregational Church, Stockbridge (member since 2019). It was, of course, totally outside, and the
Sunday services are on Zoom. “Oh Brave New World … .” And, we most certainly are in the midst
of a Tempest –politically and environmentally. Remember when we used to give up something for Lent?
Well, WHAT is left to give up?.

Sent with virtual hugs and real love

[Susan Kavet]

Yay for vaccinations!

[Myke Farricker]

El Bombé - Great writing! And congrats on getting your 2nd shot!