Guest column
Editor’s note: We asked Bob Evans, a retired journalism teacher and a theater writer in Kansas City, Kansas, to tell us about his search for a COVID-19 vaccine.
by Bob Evans
As we have all hunkered down to different degrees for the past year, we cannot escape the tragedies, heartbreak, loneliness, isolation, and interruption of our lives. As we begin to understand the COVID catastrophe, we finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, but we know we face a new “normal.”
For everyone, the past year involved personal fears, questions, isolations, and trepidations. COVID was a new disease with no treatment plan or vaccination regimen. Everything associated with COVID was new, scary, and unsettling. We all shared personal changes to our lives, our families, and our livelihoods. Each case is personal and individual.
For me, my life changed dramatically in one night. I review live theatre productions, major exhibits, and other openings, all wanting and needing reviews to publicize and encourage attendance. I cover the big shows that come to the Music Hall, the Kauffman Center, Starlight Theatre, Quality Hill Playhouse, as well as the smaller, community theatre groups that feature non-paid cast and crew – like The Barn Players, City Theatre of Independence, Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park, and more. I also review children’s theatre and young adult productions.
In all, I review for almost 50 KC Metro theatres and performing arts venues. Or, I used to until COVID arrived on the scene.
Before my last event, I was sitting in my car listening to the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, I think on March 11, 2020, before entering Quality Hill Playhouse for a musical production. All was fine at 6:30 when I entered the show. By intermission, I checked my cell phone and learned that all future attendance was barred from tournament games. By the time my show ended and I was driving home, the Big 12 Tournament was completely canceled. By the time I arrived home, the NBA had canceled and other college tournaments were canceled.
That weekend, I spent hours writing postponement and cancellation notices for many of the local venues. By the following week, Starlight began canceling shows; the Kauffman center, KC Ballet, Lyric Opera, The Coterie, and others all began canceling shows and their seasons.
My social life went from three to five different shows each week to zero within five days. And, that’s just how COVID changed my life. I believe others have their unique situations that changed as well.
Not only did the social aspects of COVID affect the population, but also work environments changed, too. Many worked from home now. Many have had hours cut. Some lost jobs. Students and teachers had to adjust to remote learning. Doctors and patients now conduct telehealth visits. Churches closed doors to in-person worship and established parking lot sermons and video church services.
Definitely, COVID changed lives. Lockdowns and mask requirements spread as we tried to learn about the disease and avoid it. Then, the search to develop a vaccine began. Not a lot was working and deaths mounted. The virus spread like a wildfire through the air. Senior living facilities began seeing cases rise quickly. Hospitals did not know how to treat the bevy of new patients coming in with symptoms. Deaths were mounting.
In October, newly developed vaccines were being tested and studied. From there, Pfizer and Moderna became the first vaccines available, but in limited supply. In late February, Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose vaccine entered the market. Soon anticipated, Astra-Zeneca’s vaccine may enter production.
Both hope and help roll off the production lines. But, still, with that good news comes the horrible news, deaths continue, new strains – more contagious and deadly – mutate from the original strains, causing concerns.
Wyandotte County and other counties formulated plans to vaccinate the population, but with different guidelines and protocols. Even though a large metropolitan district, both states only received small amounts of vaccine.
The plan was to vaccinate hospital workers and senior living facilities and nursing homes first because they were all the most vulnerable. After that necessary workers were eligible. From there, the plans differed. That leaves many in all areas of the Metro scrambling to find a shot.
Personally, I signed up wherever I thought I might find a vaccine. The worst that could happen is that I would be overlooked for various reasons. I am over 65; I am diabetic; I have heart issues, and I have other situations that compromise my health. I went looking for the vaccines – any vaccines. I signed up for:
• Wyandotte Health Department
• Johnson County (Kansas) Health Department
• Advent Health (Shawnee Mission Hospital)
• KU Med
• St. Luke’s Hospital
• Jackson County (Missouri) Health Department
• KCMO Covid
• Medicine Shoppe in KCK
I filled out forms on all those websites. Then, I received an email from a friend: “Friends & Neighbors – In case you didn’t see it, I got this text at 12:14 this afternoon, so call 913-347-4347 and get those 65+ signed up NOW, please! This is The Unified Government Public Health Dept. If you are a resident of Wyandotte County and are 65 years of age or older you are now eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine. Please call 913-347-4347 to find out about your scheduling options. If you are currently scheduled or have already received the vaccine please disregard it. For more COVID-19 info visit ughealth.info/vaccine”
That email changed my life. I called the number and remained on hold for over 45 minutes before a real person answered to say they were accepting appointments for the following two weeks. I chose a Tuesday. A friend called and set her appointment for Monday. Two other friends called and were told that only 66101, 66102, and 66105 Zip Codes were eligible.
Then, I heard that the WyCo Health Department maintained a phone list of nearby residents for any extra vaccines at the end of each day so that no vaccine serums were wasted. Later, I heard that Medicine Shoppe at 65th and Parallel had vaccines and were taking appointments for 65+ and also maintained a phone list for extra vaccines. Similarly, Medicine Shoppe at The Legends had vaccines and an extra phone list.
Since then, Johnson & Johnson has come on board and now supplies vaccines. Both Kansas and Missouri have been allotted more vaccines. Add to that Hy-Vee, Hen House, Price Chopper and other pharmacies now have vaccines available.
President Biden has requested that teachers and school service employees receive at least one dose before the end of March. Soon, I anticipate that Phase 3 will begin as more vaccines ship. Last Thursday, I received three invitations to get an appointment. On Friday, I received four more invites from the various lists. My first vaccine was Pfizer at the former Kmart. My second vaccine was scheduled while I was there for March 16. I believe I will feel more safe and secure by April 1.
I encourage everyone who wants a shot to register on all of the aforementioned sites and try to get on every phone list that is available. The sooner we get ahead of this viral situation, the sooner we can feel comfortable and get our lives back to the new normal.
To fill out a Unified Government Health Department vaccine interest form, visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
Bob Evans is a retired journalism teacher and a theater writer. See more of his stories on his entertainment website, KC Applauds, at https://www.kcapplauds.net/.