Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Spring 2021

Whymasks and more still matter Once you ’ ve received your COVID-19 vaccine, you can take off your mask and stop social distancing, right? Not quite yet. Health experts are urging that everyone continue taking precautions not to spread the virus, even after they ’ ve received their shots. Why is that? It may take a while before everyone has had a chance to get a vaccine. In the meantime, people are still vulnerable to the virus. And because no vaccine is 100% effec- tive, you may still be at risk too. So we need to continue using every tool we have to fight the spread. When can I stop wearing a mask? At least two things need to happen first: 1 . A large number of Americans need to get a shot. 2 . We need to be sure the vaccines offer long-term protection. Once those things happen, we may begin to see herd immunity. Getting to herd immunity Herd immunity occurs when enough people are protected against a virus that it ’ s unlikely to spread widely anymore. It ’ s not yet clear how many people will need to be vaccinated before we reach herd immunity. But once we do, we should be able to stop wearing masks and socially distancing. Until then, help keep your commu- nity safe by masking up and staying 6 feet from others. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Johns Hopkins University Mass vaccination by the numbers 1,201 people vaccinated registration to the city website and adding the call line for people who can’t get online. All of the entities coming together is making it much smoother here. The flu POD in October 2020 was huge practice for this—we had that same model in place.” Working together For the first COVID-19 vaccine event, everyone jumped in with signs, supplies, manpower and organization. The event also had a good problem: It drewmore volunteers than needed, including retired Bartlett employees. Former Infection Preventionist Jan Beauchamp was thrilled to vaccinate her fellow community members. “I was so excited to get my vaccine, and I just want to be part of the effort to give everybody an opportunity to get the vaccine,” she says. “It feels really good to start working toward immunity and to be part of the community who are doing it.” “I’ve seen so many of my friends come through. I’m so proud of these people,” says volunteer Janet Valentour. “These are the first! And walking away smiling.” Kim Titus, 66, was one of many grateful recipients. “I can’t wait to have a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, even though we’ll have our masks on for another while,” he says. Mass vaccination events are not the only places residents can get their COVID-19 vaccine. “Any provider in town can order vaccine, so our private providers, pharmacies and SEARHC are doing a lot of vaccinating for smaller populations,” notes April. 1.6 vaccines every minute 12 hours over the course of 3 days 40+ volunteers helping out STAY INFORMED Get the latest data on COVID-19 in your community at www.morehealth.org/JuneauVacTrAK . www.bartletthospital.org 9