Commentary Part II: My second shot got right to the point!

By GARY CARL/Correspondent/The Herald  — Last Saturday, March 20, I trundled on down to the Oakridge Fire Station to receive my second dose of Moderna vaccine.  I had gotten my first shot on February 20, just a few weeks before and this was my follow-up and final dose.  

The actual physical aspect of this vaccination was largely a non-event.  My first shot didn’t result in any negative reaction.  The second dose, which by some accounts is the more impactful, didn’t produce much of a reaction either.  But I was ready!  I had warned my partner Lynda that I wouldn’t be available to wash dishes or do much of any other household chores.  I planned to relax, read my book and be a lump!  I’m happy to report that I’m pretty good at this!

However, what I do want to talk about is the splendid efficiency of our local officials who organized the mass vaccination clinic here in Oakridge.  

They succeeded in producing a clinic that made it easy for Oakridge residents, myself included, to receive their covid vaccine quickly and efficiently.  I’ve been reading reports in The Register-Guard — perhaps you have, too — of other Lane County residents who have not had an easy time of it.  They can’t seem to get “signed up” or “scheduled “for their vaccine. 

By comparison, our clinic here in Oakridge ran smoothly and expeditiously.  At least that was my experience and I’ve not heard of any negative reports. 

I received a telephone call several days before my appointed time.  I was to report to the Willamette Activity Center a little before noon.  Upon arriving, I was greeted by Dee who directed me to form a line and follow the other cars over to the fire station.  We waited for a very brief time outside and were directed into the fire station bay.  Once inside, I completed a brief questionnaire and then received my vaccine injection from Laura.  I can honestly say the injection was painless.  I was instructed to wait for a brief interlude to make sure I wasn’t going to have a severe negative reaction.  While waiting, Edwin stopped by the car to ask if I had any questions. 

“Can I consume coffee? How about alcohol?”  

The large overhead doors opened, and I was on my way.  

Thank you to everyone who had a hand in bringing this vaccination clinic project to Oakridge.   Thank you to our City Administrator Bryan Cutchen for organizing the project and securing the funding to make sure our volunteers received compensation from the federal government’s FEMA funds. 

The volunteers all did an excellent job.  And they’ll do it all again at the fire hall on Saturday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., providing second doses to those who had their initial vaccinations on March 6.

Well done all around!

Gary Carl is a retired attorney living in Oakridge with his partner, Lynda Kamerrer and two cats, Lucy and Blondie.