CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Virginia – As of Wednesday night, more than 54,000 Virginians had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Most of those individuals, health workers in the front lines of the pandemic.
Medical staff and long-term care residents are listed in Phase 1a in the Virginia COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization Guide.
Although they have priority right now, not everyone is willing to roll.
“I’m just worried about injecting something into my body that has developed so quickly and not knowing what the long-term effects will be,” said a nurse from Chesterfield.
The 29-year-old nurse from Chesterfield, who does not want to be identified, is not alone. Thousands of health workers went on shared social networks regarding vaccination.
The Virginia Department of Health on Wednesday assured the public that the vaccine is safe. VDH says financial barriers have been removed in the global effort to make the vaccine possible quickly.
“It simply came to our notice then. No corners were cut (sic), things were not given up due to the need to place the vaccine on the market. “These vaccines have gone through the same thorough, thorough scientific review by independent scientists to say that these vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective,” said Christy Gray, director of the Immunization Division’s VDH.
Virginia’s travel assistant, Tempest Schaller, was sent to New York at the beginning of the pandemic.
“You knew it was bad,” Schaller said. “I would sometimes see 18 wheels in the freezer, as well as full-body freezers, leaving the hospital with three or four of these trucks in one day,” she added.
Schaller says she will be vaccinated because it is her responsibility as the first answer and because of her experience in New York.
“Until you saw your drowned patients, I had almost no patients in New York who didn’t have, you know, I had a man that I took to the ICU to say goodbye to his mother. who died three hours later, you know, whose father had already passed away and lost a brother and a nephew and a child, all from COVID. You know, and that was it, that wasn’t an unusual story. You know, and I think it’s hard for people living in places where COVID didn’t hit like that to understand, “Schaller said.
“I am a nurse, my whole profession revolves around science and medicine and the belief that those things work. There are literally decades, decades and decades of research supporting this vaccination, you know, so to me it’s like any small risk is worth it. Because only the chance of being able to try to pull this virus out in the buds before it gets worse. It’s worth it for me. “
“I’m afraid people think we’ll get the vaccine and everything will go away,” said the nurse from Chesterfield. “Finally, COVID is a virus, and viruses are all around us and it really doesn’t go away. He’s here to stay. So we need to figure out a better way. “
Governor Northam says he does not intend to mandate the vaccine, but says he believes there may be situations where employers could do so. He says he will leave it to business, but says he would support their decisions.
“I’m just worried that my personal rights are being violated by my mandate and that’s how it can make me change my career because I don’t want to be forced to inject something into my body that I don’t feel comfortable with,” she said. from Chesterfield.
According to the Commission’s Equal Employment Opportunity Guidelines, employers can ask workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and exclude them from work if they refuse. There are two exceptions for people with disabilities or “sincerely supported” religious beliefs that prevent them from getting vaccinated.
Rely on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for full coverage of this important developing story.
Covid19 precautions
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe diseases, including death, especially among the elderly or those suffering from chronic conditions.
COVID-19 is spread mainly by respiratory drops produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of exposure to an infectious person.
Virginia health officials have called for the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if there is no soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you’re sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid non-essential trips.