TD Restaurants, Health District Take a Bite Out of COVID

From North Central Public Health District: 

A line quickly formed at the Rivertap for the inaugural “Take a Bite Out of COVID” mobile vaccine event May  7. The next event is planned for May 21, with details to follow. 

“Take a Bite Out of COVID” mobile vaccine event at several venues in downtown The Dalles last Friday,  May 7, was an unqualified success. It was well received, ran smoothly and easily exceeded expectations. 

The evening event was conceived as a fun and convenient way to get vaccinated, using the one-and-done  Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Participants were given $10 in tokens toward their food bill. The mobile vaccine  clinic, run by North Central Public Health District, visited the Rivertap, Bargeway Pub and then ended at  Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza and Winery for its movie night. 

Hopes were to administer at least 30 vaccines, and by evening’s end, 48 people were vaccinated. Plans are to do  another “Take a Bite Out of COVID” event on May 21. More details will follow shortly. 

Dr. Miriam McDonell, Health Officer for North Central Public Health District, took a break from preparing  syringes at the Bargeway Pub to say, “I’m delighted by how many people turned out and how appreciative they  were.” 

Nolan Hare gives the thumbs up after getting his COVID-19 vaccine at the Bargeway Pub. He lauded the mobile vaccine event by North Central Public Health District for being a “cool, convenient” way to get the vaccine.

The health district learned right away that its idea was a success when a line quickly formed at the first stop on  the mobile tour, the Rivertap.  

Leanne Lewis took her place in line and said she was getting vaccinated “because I want to travel. Because if  you don’t get one, here’s the deal: Nope, don’t come to Canada. Don’t go to Mexico.’”  

Ed Devlaeminck and Joe Newman joined the vaccine line at the Rivertap. Devlaeminck said, “I want to be able  to go traveling again. Not a particularly good reason for the rest of society. I just want to do my own stuff. Plus  I want the money,” he said of the $10 in tokens he was about to get.

Scott Austin also lined up at the Rivertap for his dose, saying he got the vaccine “because I’m diabetic and I’ve  got other things going on and my wife works around people and I do too. I think we’ve got to be grown up  about this. I get my flu shot ever year, we’ve got to take care of this stuff.” 

Rebecca Swora, a nurse practitioner for North Central Public Health District, and Maria Peña, a community  health worker for NCPHD, help administer the vaccine to Maria Gonzalez at the Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza  and Winery’s movie night. 

At the Bargeway, Nolan Hare said, “It’s a cool, convenient opportunity” to get the vaccine. “I haven’t had a  chance yet to get one.” 

Kim Odom headed to the Bargeway for the vaccine, saying she got it “because I have underlying health issues  and I don’t have medical insurance, and I figured it would probably be best, so I so appreciate this, and I work  in a very public place.” 

William Justesen rolled up his sleeve for the vaccine at the Bargeway. Asked why he was getting the vaccine  now, he said, “First of all, I heard I could get free tokens at the Bargeway. Second, I want to get this all done,  the pandemic. I’m ready to move past it, I’m sure the rest of the country is too.” 

Maritza Mondragon has places she wants to be, and that’s why she showed up at the Bargeway for her vaccine.  “I travel a lot and I don’t want to quarantine each time. That’s the only reason. I haven’t had COVID and I want  to prevent it, too.” She also liked that she didn’t have to make an appointment and “I could just show up.” 

Aimee and Aaron Anderson made it a date night to go to the Bargeway to get their vaccine. Aimee wanted the  vaccine “because I know people that have compromised immune system and I want to get out there and be a  part of this. I wanted to be on the winning team. You guys made it so convenient for us.” 

For more information, please visit COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon, contact North Central Public Health District  at (541) 506-2600, visit us on the web at www.ncphd.org or find us on Facebook.