I Need a Shot in the Arm

Finding a place where I can get vaccinated feels like a treasure hunt. But so far, I have not come up with any prized appointment. All dead ends. First, there was a citing around the Lake Merritt BART station. Two whole days of openings that were gone in a flash. I heard rumors about the Castro Valley Library, which also evaporated into sorry, all gone.  I’ve registered with Alameda County where I live. The website advises me that I will be contacted when it’s my turn. I am a senior who according to guidelines qualifies. It feels like everyone I know has already logged in their number one.  My sisters on the East Coast have their second appointment. Contra Costa County seems to be more organized, but I can’t provide proof of residency, and frankly, as much as I want to be vaccinated, I also want to do this the right way. There are many people standing in line… 

On the other hand, I haven’t heard a peep from my health provider. Kaiser Permanente has been tasked together with Blue Shield for organizing the vaccine distribution within the Bay Area. Nothing seems to be happening as the virus continues to morph. Today I’ve identified more promising clues about a local health clinic that may have room at the inn. I keep looking around on the Internet to find arrows, a scarf tied around a tree, stones lined up in a certain direction. Call me a Girl Scout hunting in the forest with my troop of friends for clues, but so far, I see no signs except a health system that is in major disarray. Two words come to mind: single-payer. 

Addendum: After days and hours on the telephone, here’s what happened:

I got my first shot of Covid vaccine (Moderna) administered by La Clinica de la Raza at the Fruitvale BART station, white and red tents.  Hardly any lines. I want to cry. Just about a year of filtered anxiety, hiding behind a mask, ducking around crowds of people, sitting on the couch and staring at the trees. Now telephone lines have been transformed into branches. Clouds into mountain ranges. Someone has lost a mattress on the right lane of the freeway.  I could lie down right there and float above the traffic.