So, you’ve heard the news by now: COVID-19 infections are surging. Upon vaccine distribution, many of us hoped the end was near as we eagerly rolled up our sleeves for a dose. Then, just as we returned to gathering with friends and loved ones without fear, along came the Delta variant to perform a proverbial rug pull.
Surprised? Maybe we shouldn’t be. You know that saying, “it takes a village?” But before we go there, let’s take a detour to the heart of the issue.
Could you imagine a world where hundreds of thousands of children each year are robbed of their mobility by polio? How about a mass outbreak of smallpox with an economy in shambles because socializing would be deadly?
Or how about a flu outbreak where our daily lives and productivity grind to a halt because, well, everyone is sick? Thanks to vaccines, you don’t have to imagine any of this at all.
Vaccines have saved millions of lives for over a hundred years including as far back as what’s commonly known as the Spanish Flu, the last major pandemic to infect our nation in 1918. Emergency Use Authorization of vaccines and medical treatments is also nothing new. In fact, the most recent examples of emergency use authorization were used to combat Ebola, Anthrax and even Zika, the mosquito borne virus that had Florida all but terrified just a few years ago.
Mind blown yet? Or maybe you’re either asking yourself, “what the heck makes this guy an expert?”
I’m no medical expert, but occasionally I get to play one on television. Not only do I work in public health, but my years of experience disseminating talking points has given me a keen understanding of public sentiment and its consequences.
According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 53% of those who are unvaccinated think the vaccine is more dangerous than COVID itself. Yet, the CDC indicates that 99.5% of recent deaths from coronavirus could have been prevented with a vaccine.
Vaccines save lives and disinformation is deadly. There is no greater threat to our health, daily lifestyles or economy than vaccine hesitancy.
So, let’s go back to “it takes a village.” I was recently heartened by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik’s comment as to why he and his wife supported construction of Metro’s new Tampa facility.
“Healthy communities make successful communities,” he said. “With Tampa Bay’s fast growth as a highly desirable place to live, work and play, the health equity services provided by Metro Inclusive Health are paramount to our community’s long-term sustainability.”
Metro has already administered nearly 4,400 COVID-19 vaccine doses. As of this month, we are expanding vaccine clinic hours at our four Tampa Bay locations and have scheduled 11 mobile vaccine clinics to various neighborhoods, with more in the works. In an effort to boost vaccine adoption, each dose will now come with a $25 gift certificate, available to any and all unvaccinated individuals age 12 and up.
Working in public health the last three years has given me a crash course on the importance of access to care and public health education. Take HIV as a case in point. Without access to the tools of prevention and treatment, we cannot begin to truly end that epidemic.
Equally, without the commitment of large communities willing to get vaccinated, we may find COVID to be a vicious long-term cycle. Viruses are made to survive and thrive through mutation. That combined with the fact that COVID-19 is so contagious should make us all very, very concerned. And the long-term impact goes far beyond physical.
I have watched the last year and a half rob my 80-year-old mother of the time she worked so hard to save up for and enjoy. Imagine the mental health impact on hundreds of seniors having finally emerged from living a year in fear only to be sent back behind the mask due to the spread of variants – just because a large portion of the population is doused in vaccine disinformation and fear.
As of now, this pandemic is by no means “over.” With each variant, the situation could become more deadly, more contagious and, horrifyingly, more resistant to current vaccines. With millions of people already vaccinated and FDA approval likely around the corner, there should be no hesitancy.
COVID-19 vaccines are our best path forward for physical health, mental health and the chance to return to normal while protecting our economy. After all, if we can’t effectively navigate COVID now, how will future generations cope with the next worldwide pandemic? It is likely not a matter of “if,” but “when.”
Brian Bailey is the Chief Marketing & Experience Officer for Metro Inclusive Health. The nonprofit provides more than 100 programs and services focused on the health and wellness of Tampa Bay’s community. He develops and manages communications and campaigns for all departments and services, where his efforts have coincided with the organization’s largest expansion of key services. Learn more at MetroTampaBay.org.
