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It shouldn't have to feel like I won a million bucks.

Get vaccinated they said on the news, on the billboards, and in my emails. So I tried over and over to get an appointment. I logged on. I answered the long questionnaire. I verified myself and No appointments available. I tried for weeks but finally I gave up. How many times do I need to do this? 

Then two weeks ago. I got a text message from NYU. At first, I ignored it. Then I looked closely and I saw the word Vaccine. I jumped on the app and got the first appointment I could find. It felt like I had won a million bucks. Like I had the Golden Ticket. 

Today was the day. I couldn't sleep. I thought something would go wrong. The vaccine would be unavailable. I walked to NYU. The signs were bright orange. I followed them around a dozen turns. Finally, I made it.
 Check in line. Number 27. 
Verify your status online. Vaccine line. 
 Big Purple lines. 
 Big purple X. 

 I sat down and answered a bunch of the same questions. Then came the needle and it was all over. 

 So here are my thoughts... 
My questions: 
 What if I didn't get the text? 
 What if I didn't have email? 
 What if I couldn't read? 
 What if I couldn't follow the signs? 
 What if I didn't live blocks away from the hospital? 

 I looked at the line. 
 I was the only brown face. 

 And I wondered when will others get their Golden Ticket.
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Comments

  1. spd529March 8, 2021 at 3:23 PM

    It is like a golden ticket! I agree. I was listening today to a comedian making jokes about how long it's taking for vaccines to get to people. And I was astounded. I don't live in the US though. I'm teaching at an international school in Colombia. Many countries outside of the US don't have it so easy. No news on when I'll be getting vaccinated, which is further complicated because I am dependent on my school to help me. There are so many people like you mentioned in the questions who just don't have it so easy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 8, 2021 at 8:52 PM

    As I sat in my car after my shot, I found myself looking around me seeing only those who look like me: white, middle aged, and middle class.

    I thought those same questions: What if I didn't have Internet? What if I didn't have texts? What if I couldn't read the signs? The directions?

    What if, indeed.

    Thank you for sharing this today to get me thinking again about the what ifs in my life.

    ReplyDelete

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