MoCo opening mass vax site - thank you Marc Elrich

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are the one making accusations with no evidence. And complainy posts on DCUM is not evidence - that's just normal MoCo White people who have made complaining into an art long before the pandemic. MoCo has a large population that is older than the rest of the state, and not much vaccine hesitancy. It means there is a lot of demand. That is a good thing.

This. Unfortunately the state did not distribute the vaccine according to demographics of the elderly population. Which is why it's taking forever in MoCo.

My dh is in 1b, but is under 65, so he was finally able to get an appointment at Six Flags. We are lucky we a way to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's what happened:

MoCo has 2 county-run sites, both at schools. Those schools said they need the space back by 4/1 since schools are reopening.

MoCo proposes using Montgomery College Germantown campus as a state mass vax site. The state is focused on geographic equity and there is already one for the DC region of MD, at Six Flags. The state's focus is opening up sites to serve Western MD and Eastern Shore, since there is nothing there. The state won't open up more sites other than those, until they get more doses.

MoCo and MD meet about the Germantown site. MD offers to help MoCo with some logistics like laptops, wifi and stuff like that. MoCo takes this to mean it'll be a state-run mass vax site. MD does not. Note no paperwork was signed.

So the Germantown site is a county-run site, replacing the 2 existing county-run sites that will close on 3/31.

As for the vaccine being available to all adults by 4/27, that's true for _state-run_ vaccine sites, NOT for MoCo sites. In the name of equity, MoCo has made gettting a vaccine incredibly complicated. Just in Phase 1, there are 9 different tiers, compared to 3 in the rest of MD.

Here's the difference:

MoCo currently open for:
Phase 1A - Tier 1, Phase 1A - Tier 2, Phase 1- Tier 3, Phase 1B - Tier 1, Phase 1B - Tier 2, Phase 1B - Tier 3, Phase 1C - Tier 1 (only).

MD open for:
Phase 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A

then 3/30, MD open for:
Phase 1C, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B

In short, if you want to get a vaccine at a well-run site, sign up for the state mass vax site. You'll also be eligible sooner there.

This is true. I am eligible under state guidelines but not MoCo. I did go to a mass vax site in Baltimore. The downside is that I stood in line for 3 hours. But I have my vaccination.

MoCo actually hasn't made getting a vaccine "incredibly complicated". The MoCo health department is just making sure that people who have less time/internet access can also get vaccines. This category disproportionately includes people if color. Y'all are pissed because MoCo won't give YOU the vaccine before people in higher priority groups. But you're fine, because there are plenty of sites in MoCo that follow state rules. So yes you can get the vaccine in MoCo, or you can travel to Baltimore or PG where the Governor is allocating a lot of doses.

If MoCo cares so much equity, why are they moving their vax sites from Silver Spring and Rockville (one that is walking distance from a Metro station) to Germantown? Germantown has lower POC numbers than SS, and it's about 10 miles from the nearest Metro station.

Silver Spring is 33% non Hispanic white. 71,000 people total
Germantown is 30% non Hispanic white. 86,000 people total

Silver Spring does have more people in poverty, though.

[Anonymous]

This is from last month, but a perfect example:

Mary Anderson, a spokeswoman for the county’s health department, told Bethesda Beat that she was not sure how many doses were left over from last week, but it was “several thousand.”

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/coronavirus/state-applies-brakes-on-countys-covid-19-vaccine-supplies-as-shipments-shrink/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's what happened:

MoCo has 2 county-run sites, both at schools. Those schools said they need the space back by 4/1 since schools are reopening.

MoCo proposes using Montgomery College Germantown campus as a state mass vax site. The state is focused on geographic equity and there is already one for the DC region of MD, at Six Flags. The state's focus is opening up sites to serve Western MD and Eastern Shore, since there is nothing there. The state won't open up more sites other than those, until they get more doses.

MoCo and MD meet about the Germantown site. MD offers to help MoCo with some logistics like laptops, wifi and stuff like that. MoCo takes this to mean it'll be a state-run mass vax site. MD does not. Note no paperwork was signed.

So the Germantown site is a county-run site, replacing the 2 existing county-run sites that will close on 3/31.

As for the vaccine being available to all adults by 4/27, that's true for _state-run_ vaccine sites, NOT for MoCo sites. In the name of equity, MoCo has made gettting a vaccine incredibly complicated. Just in Phase 1, there are 9 different tiers, compared to 3 in the rest of MD.

Here's the difference:

MoCo currently open for:
Phase 1A - Tier 1, Phase 1A - Tier 2, Phase 1- Tier 3, Phase 1B - Tier 1, Phase 1B - Tier 2, Phase 1B - Tier 3, Phase 1C - Tier 1 (only).

MD open for:
Phase 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A

then 3/30, MD open for:
Phase 1C, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B

In short, if you want to get a vaccine at a well-run site, sign up for the state mass vax site. You'll also be eligible sooner there.

This is true. I am eligible under state guidelines but not MoCo. I did go to a mass vax site in Baltimore. The downside is that I stood in line for 3 hours. But I have my vaccination.

MoCo actually hasn't made getting a vaccine "incredibly complicated". The MoCo health department is just making sure that people who have less time/internet access can also get vaccines. This category disproportionately includes people if color. Y'all are pissed because MoCo won't give YOU the vaccine before people in higher priority groups. But you're fine, because there are plenty of sites in MoCo that follow state rules. So yes you can get the vaccine in MoCo, or you can travel to Baltimore or PG where the Governor is allocating a lot of doses.

Their different tier structure does not address racial equity. It doesn't make it easier for people without internet access get appointments. They are doing different things behind the scenes to help minimize racial disparities. But not the tier structure itself. It has zero impact.

[Anonymous]

MD is doing more for equity than MoCO:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is from last month, but a perfect example:

Mary Anderson, a spokeswoman for the county’s health department, told Bethesda Beat that she was not sure how many doses were left over from last week, but it was “several thousand.”

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/coronavirus/state-applies-brakes-on-countys-covid-19-vaccine-supplies-as-shipments-shrink/

It's not a perfect example, it's not an example at all. It's the one week when MoCo was slow to administer doses, when vaccine administration was slow across the country. But you are more than happy to use it as an example of why "equity" is bad, when it had nothing to do with equity efforts (which are absolutely critical).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is from last month, but a perfect example:

Mary Anderson, a spokeswoman for the county’s health department, told Bethesda Beat that she was not sure how many doses were left over from last week, but it was “several thousand.”

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/coronavirus/state-applies-brakes-on-countys-covid-19-vaccine-supplies-as-shipments-shrink/

It's not a perfect example, it's not an example at all. It's the one week when MoCo was slow to administer doses, when vaccine administration was slow across the country. But you are more than happy to use it as an example of why "equity" is bad, when it had nothing to do with equity efforts (which are absolutely critical).

I use it as an example that MoCo is inept at getting vaccines into arms. They were sitting on nearly a week of allocation. No wonder the state reduced their allocation -- they weren't using them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MD is doing more for equity than MoCO:

MoCo already did a pop up clinic but thanks for chiming in Hogan staffer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's what happened:

MoCo has 2 county-run sites, both at schools. Those schools said they need the space back by 4/1 since schools are reopening.

MoCo proposes using Montgomery College Germantown campus as a state mass vax site. The state is focused on geographic equity and there is already one for the DC region of MD, at Six Flags. The state's focus is opening up sites to serve Western MD and Eastern Shore, since there is nothing there. The state won't open up more sites other than those, until they get more doses.

MoCo and MD meet about the Germantown site. MD offers to help MoCo with some logistics like laptops, wifi and stuff like that. MoCo takes this to mean it'll be a state-run mass vax site. MD does not. Note no paperwork was signed.

So the Germantown site is a county-run site, replacing the 2 existing county-run sites that will close on 3/31.

As for the vaccine being available to all adults by 4/27, that's true for _state-run_ vaccine sites, NOT for MoCo sites. In the name of equity, MoCo has made gettting a vaccine incredibly complicated. Just in Phase 1, there are 9 different tiers, compared to 3 in the rest of MD.

Here's the difference:

MoCo currently open for:
Phase 1A - Tier 1, Phase 1A - Tier 2, Phase 1- Tier 3, Phase 1B - Tier 1, Phase 1B - Tier 2, Phase 1B - Tier 3, Phase 1C - Tier 1 (only).

MD open for:
Phase 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A

then 3/30, MD open for:
Phase 1C, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B

In short, if you want to get a vaccine at a well-run site, sign up for the state mass vax site. You'll also be eligible sooner there.

This is true. I am eligible under state guidelines but not MoCo. I did go to a mass vax site in Baltimore. The downside is that I stood in line for 3 hours. But I have my vaccination.

MoCo actually hasn't made getting a vaccine "incredibly complicated". The MoCo health department is just making sure that people who have less time/internet access can also get vaccines. This category disproportionately includes people if color. Y'all are pissed because MoCo won't give YOU the vaccine before people in higher priority groups. But you're fine, because there are plenty of sites in MoCo that follow state rules. So yes you can get the vaccine in MoCo, or you can travel to Baltimore or PG where the Governor is allocating a lot of doses.

Their different tier structure does not address racial equity. It doesn't make it easier for people without internet access get appointments. They are doing different things behind the scenes to help minimize racial disparities. But not the tier structure itself. It has zero impact.

I get it, you think MD's process of having people fight for appointments by hanging out online all day makes sense. The idea that that is a more equitable approach than having people preregister and then offer appointments to people BASED ON PRIORITY instead of who has the best internet connection, is absolutely preposterous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get it, you think MD's process of having people fight for appointments by hanging out online all day makes sense. The idea that that is a more equitable approach than having people preregister and then offer appointments to people BASED ON PRIORITY instead of who has the best internet connection, is absolutely preposterous.

Who are all these people with a bad internet connection? Cellphones are ubiqituous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's what happened:

MoCo has 2 county-run sites, both at schools. Those schools said they need the space back by 4/1 since schools are reopening.

MoCo proposes using Montgomery College Germantown campus as a state mass vax site. The state is focused on geographic equity and there is already one for the DC region of MD, at Six Flags. The state's focus is opening up sites to serve Western MD and Eastern Shore, since there is nothing there. The state won't open up more sites other than those, until they get more doses.

MoCo and MD meet about the Germantown site. MD offers to help MoCo with some logistics like laptops, wifi and stuff like that. MoCo takes this to mean it'll be a state-run mass vax site. MD does not. Note no paperwork was signed.

So the Germantown site is a county-run site, replacing the 2 existing county-run sites that will close on 3/31.

As for the vaccine being available to all adults by 4/27, that's true for _state-run_ vaccine sites, NOT for MoCo sites. In the name of equity, MoCo has made gettting a vaccine incredibly complicated. Just in Phase 1, there are 9 different tiers, compared to 3 in the rest of MD.

Here's the difference:

MoCo currently open for:
Phase 1A - Tier 1, Phase 1A - Tier 2, Phase 1- Tier 3, Phase 1B - Tier 1, Phase 1B - Tier 2, Phase 1B - Tier 3, Phase 1C - Tier 1 (only).

MD open for:
Phase 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A

then 3/30, MD open for:
Phase 1C, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B

In short, if you want to get a vaccine at a well-run site, sign up for the state mass vax site. You'll also be eligible sooner there.

This is true. I am eligible under state guidelines but not MoCo. I did go to a mass vax site in Baltimore. The downside is that I stood in line for 3 hours. But I have my vaccination.

MoCo actually hasn't made getting a vaccine "incredibly complicated". The MoCo health department is just making sure that people who have less time/internet access can also get vaccines. This category disproportionately includes people if color. Y'all are pissed because MoCo won't give YOU the vaccine before people in higher priority groups. But you're fine, because there are plenty of sites in MoCo that follow state rules. So yes you can get the vaccine in MoCo, or you can travel to Baltimore or PG where the Governor is allocating a lot of doses.

Their different tier structure does not address racial equity. It doesn't make it easier for people without internet access get appointments. They are doing different things behind the scenes to help minimize racial disparities. But not the tier structure itself. It has zero impact.

I get it, you think MD's process of having people fight for appointments by hanging out online all day makes sense. The idea that that is a more equitable approach than having people preregister and then offer appointments to people BASED ON PRIORITY instead of who has the best internet connection, is absolutely preposterous.

I'm confused- everyone I know who is eligible in MoCo is - wait for it- fighting online for appointments. Are some eligible people really being contacted and offered appointments by county staff? Is this over the phone?

Don't get me wrong, I think the whole system is ridiculous but it's not unique to MD by any means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm confused- everyone I know who is eligible in MoCo is - wait for it- fighting online for appointments. Are some eligible people really being contacted and offered appointments by county staff? Is this over the phone?

Don't get me wrong, I think the whole system is ridiculous but it's not unique to MD by any means.

I got contacted by email last week by MoCo to sign up for an appointment (due to the industry I work in). I already got mine from a state vax site but of course their link did not offer an "Already got vaccinated" option so I gave the single-use link to a friend in the same industry, and he got vaccinated on Saturday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are the one making accusations with no evidence. And complainy posts on DCUM is not evidence - that's just normal MoCo White people who have made complaining into an art long before the pandemic. MoCo has a large population that is older than the rest of the state, and not much vaccine hesitancy. It means there is a lot of demand. That is a good thing.

lol..

I'm not white. You just made an accusation with no evidence.

And there is evidence. MoCo is super slow compared to most of the US, even within MD.

They are also super slow opening up schools, too, and this also negatively impacts URM more so than white people, btw.

https://www.thesentinel.com/communities/montgomery/opinion/twenty-maryland-counties-call-on-gov-hogan-to-enforce-his-3-1-deadline-for-counties/article_f05026ca-8aab-11eb-8c26-d7e858a79d11.html

As I stated, MoCo's uber concern for equity is causing the entire county to return to normal more slowly than the rest of the country. That hurts low income people more. Can't see the forest for the trees.

[Anonymous]

Yep, MoCo contacts people based on their list. That's the health department by the way, not the private pharmacies, which operate in MoCo but which the county has no control over. Getting an appointment through the health department does not depend on being online all day at home with good broadband. After getting criticized for having MD mass vax sites give appointments first come first served online Hogan started offering preregistration as well. Hogan doesn't give a f#k about Black people getting vaccines until he gets attacked for it, then he announces all these efforts which MoCo was already doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are the one making accusations with no evidence. And complainy posts on DCUM is not evidence - that's just normal MoCo White people who have made complaining into an art long before the pandemic. MoCo has a large population that is older than the rest of the state, and not much vaccine hesitancy. It means there is a lot of demand. That is a good thing.

lol..

I'm not white. You just made an accusation with no evidence.

And there is evidence. MoCo is super slow compared to most of the US, even within MD.

They are also super slow opening up schools, too, and this also negatively impacts URM more so than white people, btw.

https://www.thesentinel.com/communities/montgomery/opinion/twenty-maryland-counties-call-on-gov-hogan-to-enforce-his-3-1-deadline-for-counties/article_f05026ca-8aab-11eb-8c26-d7e858a79d11.html

As I stated, MoCo's uber concern for equity is causing the entire county to return to normal more slowly than the rest of the country. That hurts low income people more. Can't see the forest for the trees.

In conclusion, you have no evidence relevant to vaccines.