Health Dept. Seeking Qualified Volunteers
January 7, 2021 at 3:39 a.m.
Health Dept. Seeking Qualified Volunteers
By Amanda Bridgman-
County Health Officer Dr. William Remington put out a call for help during the biweekly coronavirus press conference Wednesday hosted by Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.
“We’re building that list now, and we are particularly interested in anybody with a nursing license that would have time available,” Remington said. “There’s a growing list of other people that can administer vaccine. Paramedics, for instance. If you would be willing to volunteer your time with our local health department and have the credentials appropriate for that, we’d love to hear from you at 574-372-3516.”
Remington further added that once a volunteer is approved to administer the vaccine, if that volunteer has not been vaccinated themselves, they could get one.
“Once you are vetted as a valid volunteer, we will try to get a COVID vaccine to you, so that’s a little carrot at the end of the stick,” Remington said.
As of Wednesday, Kosciusko County has surpassed the 7,000 case mark, Remington said, with 73 deaths. The county remains designated as red.
“Our positivity rate still remains very high,” he said.
Remington said people should not call the health department and ask to get put on a list for the vaccine. There is no list the health department can accommodate at this time, he said.
“We’re getting quite a volume of calls (from people) anxious to get vaccine, and trust me, I understand that.”
Remington said people who have already had COVID can get a vaccine but they don’t need to rush to get one.
“You should be good for at least 90 days, making it very unlikely that you would have a serious COVID experience from a reinfection. Reinfection is possible but very unlikely, at least within 90 days, so you could safely step toward the back of the line if you will. If you’ve had it, there’s no rush to go get this vaccine. It’s still a good idea,” Remington said.
The State Department of Health is shipping 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine to Kosciusko County that will be distributed to first responders, Remington said. People age 75 and older should not expect to receive a vaccine next week.
The other main call the Health Department is getting from folks is complaints. Complaints about people not wearing masks or complaints about businesses not seeming to do enough for employees, Remington said. Enforcing the order is not something the health department will do.
“We continue our philosophy at the Health Department that is mostly educational and encouragement. We have not had to be the long arm of the law. That’s not really our place,” Remington said. “And we’ve found as we do approach businesses, usually these are based on a complaint, that there’s a discussion, and you know, so that’s all we ask is just bide some time here. ... So much of this is about being big-hearted, honestly, and being willing to be a good neighbor.”
The next COVID press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Jan. 20 available virtually on the city’s website.
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County Health Officer Dr. William Remington put out a call for help during the biweekly coronavirus press conference Wednesday hosted by Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.
“We’re building that list now, and we are particularly interested in anybody with a nursing license that would have time available,” Remington said. “There’s a growing list of other people that can administer vaccine. Paramedics, for instance. If you would be willing to volunteer your time with our local health department and have the credentials appropriate for that, we’d love to hear from you at 574-372-3516.”
Remington further added that once a volunteer is approved to administer the vaccine, if that volunteer has not been vaccinated themselves, they could get one.
“Once you are vetted as a valid volunteer, we will try to get a COVID vaccine to you, so that’s a little carrot at the end of the stick,” Remington said.
As of Wednesday, Kosciusko County has surpassed the 7,000 case mark, Remington said, with 73 deaths. The county remains designated as red.
“Our positivity rate still remains very high,” he said.
Remington said people should not call the health department and ask to get put on a list for the vaccine. There is no list the health department can accommodate at this time, he said.
“We’re getting quite a volume of calls (from people) anxious to get vaccine, and trust me, I understand that.”
Remington said people who have already had COVID can get a vaccine but they don’t need to rush to get one.
“You should be good for at least 90 days, making it very unlikely that you would have a serious COVID experience from a reinfection. Reinfection is possible but very unlikely, at least within 90 days, so you could safely step toward the back of the line if you will. If you’ve had it, there’s no rush to go get this vaccine. It’s still a good idea,” Remington said.
The State Department of Health is shipping 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine to Kosciusko County that will be distributed to first responders, Remington said. People age 75 and older should not expect to receive a vaccine next week.
The other main call the Health Department is getting from folks is complaints. Complaints about people not wearing masks or complaints about businesses not seeming to do enough for employees, Remington said. Enforcing the order is not something the health department will do.
“We continue our philosophy at the Health Department that is mostly educational and encouragement. We have not had to be the long arm of the law. That’s not really our place,” Remington said. “And we’ve found as we do approach businesses, usually these are based on a complaint, that there’s a discussion, and you know, so that’s all we ask is just bide some time here. ... So much of this is about being big-hearted, honestly, and being willing to be a good neighbor.”
The next COVID press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Jan. 20 available virtually on the city’s website.
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