Health Department Incompetence + How did the Developer's cronies cut the line?

[Advogado]

The following is a letter that I emailed to Governor DeSantis and to Sumter County Health Department Administrator Zelnick on January 7. After I wrote that letter, the Sumter County Health Department gave us a fourth debacle as it required tens of thousands of residents to again waste time fruitlessly vying for a tiny number of inoculations on January 10 and 11--using a computer program designed for selling tickets to rock concerts and other events. There are commercially available software programs (designed by experts at Microsoft, Sales Force, and other companies) for the rational and efficient distribution of the Covid 19 vaccine. Why in the world doesn't our Health Department use one??????????? 15 Recently Launched COVID-19 Vaccine Management Solutions to Know (https://hitconsultant.net/2020/12/18/recent-covid-19-vaccine-management-solutions/#.X_r_ZxZOnIU)


Re: The necessity of a comprehensive plan for distribution and administration of the Covid-19 vaccine

Dear Governor DeSantis and Sumter County Health Department Administrator Zelnick:

As important as is the allocation of vaccine to various Florida counties is the necessity of a plan to EFFICENTLY get the vaccine into the arms of residents. It would seem that the Florida Department of Health headquarters should formulate such a plan so that each of its county health departments does not have to reinvent the wheel. Such a plan should include an on-line system of registration for vaccination, using appropriate software.

We have had three initial debacles in Sumter County in distributing the vaccine.
1. The first debacle was political insiders connected to the Developer of The Villages cutting the vaccination line—resulting in their getting vaccinated ahead of more-deserving residents, such as health-care workers.
2. The second debacle was the County Health Department's utilizing a single phone line, instead of the internet, for 140,000 people to register for a limited number of vaccinations-- resulting in chaos.
3. The third debacle was the County Health Department's finally utilizing the internet for vaccination registration-- but including no software to ensure that the limited supply got to the most-vulnerable people first-- instead utilizing a first-registered/first-vaccinated system.

I hope that the state Department of Health headquarters will soon formulate a comprehensive plan for mass vaccinations (when adequate vaccine becomes available). That plan should include answers to questions such as the following:
>Exactly who should register, as the vaccine arrives in phases, and what relevant information should they provide (e.g., date of birth, underlying medical problems)?
>Is there a phone number for those without internet access to call so that someone at their county health department can register them on its website?
>How will the registrants be prioritized for receipt of the vaccine? I would suggest by age (after health-care workers and nursing-home and hospital patients)-- with the oldest (highest risk of death) being first, and then working down through age groups. But there may be a better system. Certainly, utilizing a first-registered/first-vaccinated makes no sense in terms of saving lives.
>How will registrants be notified of the time and place of their first AND second vaccination?
>What steps are being taken so that there will be no long lines?
>What is the procedure at the vaccination center(s) for both the administration of the vaccine and watching for, and treating, possible adverse reactions?
>Will some vaccines be given to cancer centers for vaccination of cancer patients? To medical practices for vaccination of high-risk patients? To CVS and Walgreens and how will they prevent long lines and vaccinate persons in order of priority?
>When do you anticipate that more vaccine will be available and in what quantities?

I have neither the expertise nor the data to formulate such a comprehensive vaccination plan, but hopefully the Florida Department of Health does and will formulate such a plan in the near future.

I am copying our Sumter County Commissioners on this email. I understand that they do not control the local County Health Department, but they do provide funding for it. Thus, they are in a position to encourage it to do better in the future and to demand an explanation as to why the cronies of the Villages Developer were permitted to cut the vaccination line and as to whether anyone else was also permitted to do so.

Sincerely,

Scott T. Fenstermaker

[ldj1938]

Your message is right on the button. I have no idea what resources Sumter health has, but they are in way over their heads now. Too bad the national guard can’t jump in to help. Somebody! Anybody!

[Aloha1]

Short answer: Give it all to Publix. They can do it far better than the bureaucratic Health Departments.

[billethkid]

Do not expect to get an answer from Desantis or even from his staff.

First elected administration I have ever communicated with that does not reply to ANY correspondence....none. From my experience writing to him or his "office" several times.

Demonstrates where their priority is and lacking knowledge how to serve those who put them there.

[John41]

The following is a letter that I emailed to Governor DeSantis and to Sumter County Health Department Administrator Zelnick on January 7. After I wrote that letter, the Sumter County Health Department gave us a fourth debacle as it required tens of thousands of residents to again waste time fruitlessly vying for a tiny number of inoculations on January 10 and 11--using a computer program designed for selling tickets to rock concerts and other events. There are commercially available software programs (designed by experts at Microsoft, Sales Force, and other companies) for the rational and efficient distribution of the Covid 19 vaccine. Why in the world doesn't our Health Department use one??????????? 15 Recently Launched COVID-19 Vaccine Management Solutions to Know (https://hitconsultant.net/2020/12/18/recent-covid-19-vaccine-management-solutions/#.X_r_ZxZOnIU)


Re: The necessity of a comprehensive plan for distribution and administration of the Covid-19 vaccine

Dear Governor DeSantis and Sumter County Health Department Administrator Zelnick:

As important as is the allocation of vaccine to various Florida counties is the necessity of a plan to EFFICENTLY get the vaccine into the arms of residents. It would seem that the Florida Department of Health headquarters should formulate such a plan so that each of its county health departments does not have to reinvent the wheel. Such a plan should include an on-line system of registration for vaccination, using appropriate software.

We have had three initial debacles in Sumter County in distributing the vaccine.
1. The first debacle was political insiders connected to the Developer of The Villages cutting the vaccination line—resulting in their getting vaccinated ahead of more-deserving residents, such as health-care workers.
2. The second debacle was the County Health Department's utilizing a single phone line, instead of the internet, for 140,000 people to register for a limited number of vaccinations-- resulting in chaos.
3. The third debacle was the County Health Department's finally utilizing the internet for vaccination registration-- but including no software to ensure that the limited supply got to the most-vulnerable people first-- instead utilizing a first-registered/first-vaccinated system.

I hope that the state Department of Health headquarters will soon formulate a comprehensive plan for mass vaccinations (when adequate vaccine becomes available). That plan should include answers to questions such as the following:
>Exactly who should register, as the vaccine arrives in phases, and what relevant information should they provide (e.g., date of birth, underlying medical problems)?
>Is there a phone number for those without internet access to call so that someone at their county health department can register them on its website?
>How will the registrants be prioritized for receipt of the vaccine? I would suggest by age (after health-care workers and nursing-home and hospital patients)-- with the oldest (highest risk of death) being first, and then working down through age groups. But there may be a better system. Certainly, utilizing a first-registered/first-vaccinated makes no sense in terms of saving lives.
>How will registrants be notified of the time and place of their first AND second vaccination?
>What steps are being taken so that there will be no long lines?
>What is the procedure at the vaccination center(s) for both the administration of the vaccine and watching for, and treating, possible adverse reactions?
>Will some vaccines be given to cancer centers for vaccination of cancer patients? To medical practices for vaccination of high-risk patients? To CVS and Walgreens and how will they prevent long lines and vaccinate persons in order of priority?
>When do you anticipate that more vaccine will be available and in what quantities?

I have neither the expertise nor the data to formulate such a comprehensive vaccination plan, but hopefully the Florida Department of Health does and will formulate such a plan in the near future.

I am copying our Sumter County Commissioners on this email. I understand that they do not control the local County Health Department, but they do provide funding for it. Thus, they are in a position to encourage it to do better in the future and to demand an explanation as to why the cronies of the Villages Developer were permitted to cut the vaccination line and as to whether anyone else was also permitted to do so.

Sincerely,

Scott T. Fenstermaker

I understand your frustration and in principle a standardized computer registration system seems ideal. But developing a computer system or even modifying an existing one to handle that volume of traffic is a massive undertaking. The people skills and hardware availability differ greatly between counties and states. The Social Security System is still using COBOL language computer systems developed decades ago. Attempts to develop new systems have been plagued with problems. It's a huge undertaking to get everyone vaccinated and health departments are doing the best they can trying different distribution approaches. Unfortunately we have become addicted to instant gratification and that is not possible here.

[blueash]

The Sumter Co Health Dept is tiny and fights to get nickels and dimes from the state. Of course we could have spent money via taxes to better fund the Dept in case there was an emergency, but we all know that most of what the Dept does is beneficial to the less affluent in our community while those better off will rarely need their services.

Until there is a disaster when everybody demands they have everything now, up to date to work on their latest iphone, with services available with no waiting and by golf cart if not closer. The Health Dept people have been working their butts off for months on this pandemic, but blast away at them. They're too damn busy to be reading your criticism, or likely your sent letter which should go in the circular file and not waste time being replied to. Yes, I know Dr. Zelnick who you simply call Zelnick. And I know a lot of the nurses and assistants who make up our county's small struggling underfunded and under appreciated Health Dept.
How about you not only write the County Commissioners and demand a funding increase, but as well as write your Florida legislators demanding the same thing.

As to the software issue and your insistence it should screen for "most vulnerable" people. Talk to your governor, don't blame the local health dept. The vaccines allocated to the general public via that sign up were after the higher risk groups had been allocated vaccine and now all persons 65 and older without regard to any other factors are next per DeSantis and contrary to what the CDC had proposed.

DeSantis signed an executive order (https://states.aarp.org/florida/covid-19-vaccine-distribution) mandating that people 65 and older be placed in Florida’s first vaccine priority group.

[Lottoguy]

It's too bad the people who said "it's just the flu" are not at the end of the line.

[johnsi911]

The Good News newspaper (i.e. Daily Sun) headline: "Large-Scale Vaccine Effort Starts Tuesday in Sumter". Then they publish a website link for a pitiful 200 or so tickets for Monday on Eventbrite which is a joke when trying to get a ticket. So where's this "Large Scale Vaccine Effort" and how do we sign up?

I'm a DeSantis fan but I wish he would have done it as a step function by age. Start with 75 and older as recommended by the CDC and then 65 and older. I'm obviously biased because I'm 77 and am an asthmatic. I suspect my comment might tick off 50% of the 80,000 that are 65 and older in Sumter County.

[Stu from NYC]

Amazing how inefficient govt is when they had so much time to come up with a plan.

[Advogado]

The Sumter Co Health Dept is tiny and fights to get nickels and dimes from the state. Of course we could have spent money via taxes to better fund the Dept in case there was an emergency, but we all know that most of what the Dept does is beneficial to the less affluent in our community while those better off will rarely need their services.

Until there is a disaster when everybody demands they have everything now, up to date to work on their latest iphone, with services available with no waiting and by golf cart if not closer. The Health Dept people have been working their butts off for months on this pandemic, but blast away at them. They're too damn busy to be reading your criticism, or likely your sent letter which should go in the circular file and not waste time being replied to. Yes, I know Dr. Zelnick who you simply call Zelnick. And I know a lot of the nurses and assistants who make up our county's small struggling underfunded and under appreciated Health Dept.
How about you not only write the County Commissioners and demand a funding increase, but as well as write your Florida legislators demanding the same thing.

As to the software issue and your insistence it should screen for "most vulnerable" people. Talk to your governor, don't blame the local health dept. The vaccines allocated to the general public via that sign up were after the higher risk groups had been allocated vaccine and now all persons 65 and older without regard to any other factors are next per DeSantis and contrary to what the CDC had proposed.

Since you know Dr. Zelnick, perhaps you could ask him to explain why he permitted the Developer's cronies to hop to the front of the vaccination line.

[New Englander]

Since you know Dr. Zelnick, perhaps you could ask him to explain why he permitted the Developer's cronies to hop to the front of the vaccination line.

You mean they weren't picked randomly? :popcorn:

[JoMar]

And so it goes, everyone has a solution, everyone has an opinion and of course what would a post or letter be without taking a shot at the Developer (those 5 vaccines would have tripped the balance wouldn't it). Reaction without data is the way of the TV and that is frustrating for many of us.

[Advogado]

And so it goes, everyone has a solution, everyone has an opinion and of course what would a post or letter be without taking a shot at the Developer (those 5 vaccines would have tripped the balance wouldn't it). Reaction without data is the way of the TV and that is frustrating for many of us.
Are you seriously defending letting the Developer's cronies skip the line instead of giving the vaccine to, for example, health-care workers or cancer patients?

[Advogado]

The Good News newspaper (i.e. Daily Sun) headline: "Large-Scale Vaccine Effort Starts Tuesday in Sumter". Then they publish a website link for a pitiful 200 or so tickets for Monday on Eventbrite which is a joke when trying to get a ticket. So where's this "Large Scale Vaccine Effort" and how do we sign up?

I'm a DeSantis fan but I wish he would have done it as a step function by age. Start with 75 and older as recommended by the CDC and then 65 and older. I'm obviously biased because I'm 77 and am an asthmatic. I suspect my comment might tick off 50% of the 80,000 that are 65 and older in Sumter County.
I voted for DeSantis, but he has been an absolute disaster in his approach to COVID-19, including opposing mandatory masking.

[davem4616]

Amazing how inefficient govt is when they had so much time to come up with a plan.

Well in reality they've been very busy pointing fingers at the other guy, raising money to get reelected, getting visibility on television and going on 'fact finding' missions around the world Stu....you put all that together and there really isn't much time to do much of anything else

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Sedlecky]

Maybe we need an email campaign to the governor to get Sumter County doses increased and someone to actually prioritize the vaccinations by age, need, etc

[John41]

Since you know Dr. Zelnick, perhaps you could ask him to explain why he permitted the Developer's cronies to hop to the front of the vaccination line.

If they wanted to hop to the front of the line they would have not done it publicly. It was done to show that the vaccine was safe as many government leaders did.

[Bill14564]

Maybe we need an email campaign to the governor to get Sumter County doses increased and someone to actually prioritize the vaccinations by age, need, etc

According to the data on the State Dept of Health website, Sumter County is about 37th in the number of people vaccinated. According to population statistics I could find, Sumter County is about the 37th largest county in the State. It would appear that we are getting our share of the vaccine within the State.

The vaccinations are supposed to be prioritized already. Florida prioritization is health care workers first, over 65 second, front-line workers in essential positions third. That is a deviation from the CDC suggestion which put front-line workers before the 75+ group and moved the 65+ group further down the line.

[JoMar]

Are you seriously defending letting the Developer's cronies skip the line instead of giving the vaccine to, for example, health-care workers or cancer patients?

It's not a defense, it was a marketing ploy for the Governor and it made absolutely no difference. They may have brought the vaccine from another county, we don't know anything except what the media decided to feed us. I don't believe that giving us the vaccine before any other person 65+ is justified. Our goal is to go see our grandkids, get to the squares and put our life back to enjoying what we did before. Other countries also have objectives plus significantly higher unemployment so getting those seniors money back in circulation is critical.....different agendas for different places. And one last thing, IF you live here, the Developer and his "cronies" are responsible for your lifestyle and what you enjoy here. IF you live here, I wonder where you would be if the Developer and his "cronies" didn't provide you this place to enjoy. Worried about 5 shots? Start worrying about the millions that are needed in Florida. Sumter population is about 130,000 (the entire county not TV), Orange County is about 1.4 million and is still the 5th most populous behind Miami/Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsboroug....we are 34th and suspect that may factor into our priority level. This is going to be a long haul and we are not any more a priority then anyone else. Every other person, 65+ is on the same playing field as we are, and they are just as anxious as we are, every health care worker, every frontline care giver, every person in an assisted living center are as anxious as we are. If 5 shots or so have you writing letters to the Gov, getting a petition, degrading people that are doing what they can to help then your road might be a longer road. EOR!

[Advogado]

If they wanted to hop to the front of the line they would have not done it publicly. It was done to show that the vaccine was safe as many government leaders did.
Why not pick health care workers, cancer patients, or first responders? That little publicity stunt could have cost someone's life.

[Advogado]

It's not a defense, it was a marketing ploy for the Governor and it made absolutely no difference. They may have brought the vaccine from another county, we don't know anything except what the media decided to feed us. I don't believe that giving us the vaccine before any other person 65+ is justified. Our goal is to go see our grandkids, get to the squares and put our life back to enjoying what we did before. Other countries also have objectives plus significantly higher unemployment so getting those seniors money back in circulation is critical.....different agendas for different places. And one last thing, IF you live here, the Developer and his "cronies" are responsible for your lifestyle and what you enjoy here. IF you live here, I wonder where you would be if the Developer and his "cronies" didn't provide you this place to enjoy. Worried about 5 shots? Start worrying about the millions that are needed in Florida. Sumter population is about 130,000 (the entire county not TV), Orange County is about 1.4 million and is still the 5th most populous behind Miami/Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsboroug....we are 34th and suspect that may factor into our priority level. This is going to be a long haul and we are not any more a priority then anyone else. Every other person, 65+ is on the same playing field as we are, and they are just as anxious as we are, every health care worker, every frontline care giver, every person in an assisted living center are as anxious as we are. If 5 shots or so have you writing letters to the Gov, getting a petition, degrading people that are doing what they can to help then your road might be a longer road. EOR!

My letter addressed health department incompetence in distributing the available vaccine, which incompetence (or malfeasance) includes inoculating the Developer's cronies ahead of more-deserving residents.

[rmd2]

I found it extremely frustrating to try to use Eventbrite to schedule an appointment for a Covid Vaccination.
I tried to sign up for an appointment and did it exactly at 8 am today when it opened for the Wildwood location. It had me in a waiting mode for "tickets". Then it said the following:

Sumter County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccination January 11 2021
Mon, Jan 11, 2021 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
It's your turn!
Please place your order quickly, this event may sell out soon.
9:00AM-10:00AM
Free
10:00AM-11:00AM
Free
11:00AM-12:00PM
Free
It did not show HOW to get the "tickets" to the "event". Then in 5 minutes, it said sold out. I know the method to sign up in Arizona is much easier because my sister and brother in law live there and have gotten their corona vaccines.
Why is this cumbersome and unusual Eventbrite "ticket" and "event" system which is not well designed for signing up for appointments used? Why can't we at least have a sign up sheet to be put on a waiting list to eventually GET an appointment?
My frustration level is OFF THE CHARTS. I don't drink and I had a gin and OJ this morning and I'm still angry about this.

[rmd2]

If they wanted to hop to the front of the line they would have not done it publicly. It was done to show that the vaccine was safe as many government leaders did.

"It was done to show that the vaccine was safe as many government leaders did."
You have got to be kidding me! ALL the politicians just to help us realize that it was safe --PLEEEZE. They wanted the vaccine and they wanted it right away. They don't have to show us anything. We want the vaccine but WE CAN'T GET IT!!

[rmd2]

Below is an e-mail I sent to DeSantis regarding another Corona Vaccine problem:

1) There was a stockpile of coronavirus vaccine in Clermont, Florida as of the late afternoon on Thursday on December 31, 2020. They said they stopped dispensing because of the New Year Holiday but they said the vaccine would be given out at the Clermont Arts and Recreation building as of January 4, 2021 and would continue until they ran out. I was at the Clermont Arts and Recreation center at 8:15 am on Monday January 4th and I was told by and employee in that building that the "shipment of vaccine had not come in and the distribution was cancelled." There should have been no shipment because the vaccine was right there in town as of Thursday evening. I believe the unused vaccine was either inappropriately given to local politicians or friends/family or possibly sold to others who were connected with the persons handling the vaccine because the vaccine that was available for use on the afternoon of Thursday Dec 31 was somehow mysteriously "not available" as had been planned for Monday Jan 4th.
2) When I sent an e-mail to you regarding this I believe it was either hacked or diverted because I received a response back from an identifier which should have been you or your office the identifier was "me,zzzz". Hovering over this responder did not identify any information about who or what they were so I did not open that e-mail, however I still have it and could send it to you if you wish.

[rmd2]

According to the data on the State Dept of Health website, Sumter County is about 37th in the number of people vaccinated. According to population statistics I could find, Sumter County is about the 37th largest county in the State. It would appear that we are getting our share of the vaccine within the State.

The vaccinations are supposed to be prioritized already. Florida prioritization is health care workers first, over 65 second, front-line workers in essential positions third. That is a deviation from the CDC suggestion which put front-line workers before the 75+ group and moved the 65+ group further down the line.

The other day when I looked at the data regarding the number of vaccines given by county in Fl, Sumter County was 5th from the BOTTOM, yet we have more population than lots of those other counties that have had more vaccinations.

[Bill14564]

The other day when I looked at the data regarding the number of vaccines given by county in Fl, Sumter County was 5th from the BOTTOM, yet we have more population than lots of those other counties that have had more vaccinations.

You were looking in the wrong list OR the list was ordered alphabetically OR Sumter County has far exceeded their share since then to bring them into line.

The correct data is here (http://ww11.doh.state.fl.us/comm/_partners/covid19_report_archive/vaccine/vaccine_report_latest.pdf)and you should look at the last column on the right.

[jimjamuser]

Your message is right on the button. I have no idea what resources Sumter health has, but they are in way over their heads now. Too bad the national guard can’t jump in to help. Somebody! Anybody!
Economically speaking.......you can normally balance vaccine dose number ( or any good) with the supply by the equilibrium reached at a certain price level. But when you have a free good (to the public), you can see all these problems crop up. Especially galling is that example of cutting the line.

I would suggest that once a group is identified to be vaccinated and the group numbers are larger than the doses available ( which will always be the case in the early stages of this vaccine delivery) that SOME (?) system of chance be used, like a lottery or drawing of names. Anything by chance would LESSEN the hurt feelings and frustration of the public that has taken place so far. They have been treating the vaccine delivery like some kind of "Black Friday" sale at Walmart. They need a solid system, not the anarchy of "1st come, 1st served".

[JoMar]

I found it extremely frustrating to try to use Eventbrite to schedule an appointment for a Covid Vaccination.
I tried to sign up for an appointment and did it exactly at 8 am today when it opened for the Wildwood location. It had me in a waiting mode for "tickets". Then it said the following:

Sumter County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccination January 11 2021
Mon, Jan 11, 2021 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
It's your turn!
Please place your order quickly, this event may sell out soon.
9:00AM-10:00AM
Free
10:00AM-11:00AM
Free
11:00AM-12:00PM
Free
It did not show HOW to get the "tickets" to the "event". Then in 5 minutes, it said sold out. I know the method to sign up in Arizona is much easier because my sister and brother in law live there and have gotten their corona vaccines.
Why is this cumbersome and unusual Eventbrite "ticket" and "event" system which is not well designed for signing up for appointments used? Why can't we at least have a sign up sheet to be put on a waiting list to eventually GET an appointment?
My frustration level is OFF THE CHARTS. I don't drink and I had a gin and OJ this morning and I'm still angry about this.

You want a sign up sheet for millions of people.....even if they could limit to Sumter (which I don't think they can), that's a sign up sheet for 130K. Eventbrite was chosen because that's what they do, like ticketmaster, they have the resources to handle the volume and all you are doing is getting a ticket for the shot (event). Ever try and get a ticket for a Billy Joel concert......same thing. "x" number of seats, when they are sold out there are no more seats. And the good news, we aren't charged a fee for handling the transaction, somebody is but for now, it's not us.

You did click on "Details" I assume which took you to the page where you could click on which hour you wanted.. If you didn't do that you never were on the right page. If you clicked on details it took you to the page and gave a countdown until each hour on each day opened up. Then you joined the battle of the 10's of thousands that clicked at the same time you did.

This is going to take a long time, and if this gets you frustrated you are in for a very stressful few months.

[jimjamuser]

If they wanted to hop to the front of the line they would have not done it publicly. It was done to show that the vaccine was safe as many government leaders did.
Social good or personal good? WE all can have an opinion on that one.

[jimjamuser]

My letter addressed health department incompetence in distributing the available vaccine, which incompetence (or malfeasance) includes inoculating the Developer's cronies ahead of more-deserving residents.
A good and worthwhile letter.

[Bill14564]

Some additional numbers to consider

330,000,000 people in US
6,700,000 vaccinated so far
Approximately 2%

20,000,000 people in FL
500,000 vaccinated so far
Approximately 2.5%

130,000 people in Sumter County
2,000 vaccinated so far
Approximately 1.5%

Sumter county 34th in State by population
Sumter county 37th in State by number of vaccinations

130,000 people in Sumter County
75,000 over 65 years old (58%)

Vaccinations seem to be given two or three times per week.
People having a hard time getting slots on the website.

What this says to me is the problem is likely on the supply side and not that vaccination side.

1. Sumter County vaccination rate of 1.5% is in line with the Florida rate of 2.5% and the National rate of 2%. (600 more vaccinations, one week's worth, and Sumter would be at 2%).

2. It is hard to believe that the Dept of Health or Publix would be sitting on cases of vaccine and not giving them out. If they are only vaccinating two or three times per week then it is likely that they are giving out all that they receive as soon as they receive it.

3. Most likely, Florida is receiving its "fare share" and Sumter County is receiving its "fare share" and is vaccinating as soon as they receive the materials.

While being put on hold on a website and not getting a slot is frustrating, there are up to 75,000 trying for the same 200-300 slots. There is nothing the website can do to fix the fact that there are far more people in line than there are slots to give out. For every one person who gets a slot there are 250 - 350 who do not; those who get stuck on hold have a lot of company.

All this makes nothing better. We all want to get the shot yesterday but that just isn't going to happen. Hopefully, supply increases dramatically very soon and the number of slots increase tenfold. And remember, as bad and frustrating as it is, there are 55,000 or so (of us) who aren't even allowed into the line yet.

[birdiebill]

I tried last Wednesday on the Eventbrite site to get 2 "tickets" for the vaccination event last Thursday. Since I was not familiar with the site, even though I was on the website a minute or two after 8:00 am, I failed to get "tickets." I understand the reason since so many of us are over 65. My wife is over 70; I am over 75 and am compromised due to low white blood cell count. When the large number of people (perhaps in the thousands) are all trying to get "tickets" to an event with a capacity of 200-300, most are not going to be successful. I never even got to select tickets because they were all unavailable by 2 or 3 minutes after 8:00. However, I believe the Eventbrite "ticket" site is as fair as any site could be.

This morning I tried again. I could only attempt for Monday since I have a necessary medical procedure for Wednesday. I knew what I was doing this time. I was on the site at 8:00. I chose one of the three time slots; it allowed me to select 2 tickets; then it sent me to a new screen indicating it was searching for available "tickets". Apparently a lot of people were transferred to the same "Que". I waited ten minutes while the system kept checking, then was given a message that the event was "sold out." No luck once again.

One major issue, IMHO, is the county does not know very far in advance when they will receive an allotment of the vaccine or how many doses they will receive. Hard to plan to allocate appointments until they are certain they will have the vaccine doses. Supposedly a BIG VACCINE event is coming for Sumter County this week.


Neither time I tried surprised me due to knowing that many hundreds or thousands were trying at the same time; our thoughts were this is just like a lottery. You either are lucky and get through; or you don't. While we want the vaccine, especially due to my medical situation, we are patient enough to know that we will eventually get them. In the meantime we keep staying home except for essential trips to the grocery or to medical appointments or outside for exercise where we have no contact with anyone. We always are masked when essential shopping or medical appts. Patience is a virtue.

[Advogado]

I tried last Wednesday on the Eventbrite site to get 2 "tickets" for the vaccination event last Thursday. Since I was not familiar with the site, even though I was on the website a minute or two after 8:00 am, I failed to get "tickets." I understand the reason since so many of us are over 65. My wife is over 70; I am over 75 and am compromised due to low white blood cell count. When the large number of people (perhaps in the thousands) are all trying to get "tickets" to an event with a capacity of 200-300, most are not going to be successful. I never even got to select tickets because they were all unavailable by 2 or 3 minutes after 8:00. However, I believe the Eventbrite "ticket" site is as fair as any site could be.

This morning I tried again. I could only attempt for Monday since I have a necessary medical procedure for Wednesday. I knew what I was doing this time. I was on the site at 8:00. I chose one of the three time slots; it allowed me to select 2 tickets; then it sent me to a new screen indicating it was searching for available "tickets". Apparently a lot of people were transferred to the same "Que". I waited ten minutes while the system kept checking, then was given a message that the event was "sold out." No luck once again.

One major issue, IMHO, is the county does not know very far in advance when they will receive an allotment of the vaccine or how many doses they will receive. Hard to plan to allocate appointments until they are certain they will have the vaccine doses. Supposedly a BIG VACCINE event is coming for Sumter County this week.


Neither time I tried surprised me due to knowing that many hundreds or thousands were trying at the same time; our thoughts were this is just like a lottery. You either are lucky and get through; or you don't. While we want the vaccine, especially due to my medical situation, we are patient enough to know that we will eventually get them. In the meantime we keep staying home except for essential trips to the grocery or to medical appointments or outside for exercise where we have no contact with anyone. We always are masked when essential shopping or medical appts. Patience is a virtue.

I disagree with part of what you say. Patience is not a virtue in this life-and-death situation.

The Health Department needs to get its act together now. Why isn't it using vaccine-specific, commercially available software from companies like Microsoft or Salesforce rather than using Eventbrite?

Eventbrite is better than using a single phone line, per the Health Department's first idiotic system. However, use of Eventbrite is requiring tens of thousands of people to waste countless man-hours racing each other for a minuscule supply of vaccine. After the race, the vaccine is awarded on an irrational first-come/first-served basis and not going to the most-needy people.

The Health Department also needs to communicate, to the public, its plan is for distributing the vaccine once an adequate supply is available. Development of such a plan needs to be finalized now. Such a plan will take time to implement it.

[coffeebean]

Since you know Dr. Zelnick, perhaps you could ask him to explain why he permitted the Developer's cronies to hop to the front of the vaccination line.
Do you know for sure that actually did transpire? Are there photos or articles stating that "cronies" of the developer jumped the line?

[coffeebean]

"It was done to show that the vaccine was safe as many government leaders did."
You have got to be kidding me! ALL the politicians just to help us realize that it was safe --PLEEEZE. They wanted the vaccine and they wanted it right away. They don't have to show us anything. We want the vaccine but WE CAN'T GET IT!!

I agree with you on that. We Americans watched many folks in much higher offices in our government take the shot. What more did we need to see? Funny how all we hear about on this forum is from folks who are wanting to be vaccinated. Are there very many people who are anti-vaxxers? Not hearing from them too much at this point.

[Advogado]

Do you know for sure that actually did transpire? Are there photos or articles stating that "cronies" of the developer jumped the line?

On December 22, there was a photo of it happening in the on-line newspaper and an article setting forth names of the recipients. So, yes, I know that "it actually did transpire", and it was absolutely reprehensible. It only makes one wonder if other "connected' people also got priority access to the vaccine. We need transparency about this.

The vaccine that the line jumpers got is vaccine that health-care workers, first-responders, or other more-needy people did not get on a timely basis. What happened could have cost the life of one or more of them. We will never know.

[JoMar]

On December 22, there was a photo of it happening in the on-line newspaper and an article setting forth names of the recipients. So, yes, I know that "it actually did transpire", and it was absolutely reprehensible. It only makes one wonder if other "connected' people also got priority access to the vaccine. We need transparency about this.

The vaccine that the line jumpers got is vaccine that health-care workers, first-responders, or other more-needy people did not get on a timely basis. What happened could have cost the life of one or more of them. We will never know.

Speculation runs rampant again.....since I don't believe you have any access to anything more than the media shows you, and of course when it suits an individuals agenda and opinion let's stir the pot. The next issue will be all those that will receive their shots this week are not in front of thousands and it could cost someone in that group a life....or a first responder, health care worker can't get theirs either. All these folks must be "cronies" of the health system, connected somehow to the government or worse yet, the Governor......Puhlezzzz. Stirring the pot serves nobody except the poster. Hope you feel better.

[coffeebean]

On December 22, there was a photo of it happening in the on-line newspaper and an article setting forth names of the recipients. So, yes, I know that "it actually did transpire", and it was absolutely reprehensible. It only makes one wonder if other "connected' people also got priority access to the vaccine. We need transparency about this.

The vaccine that the line jumpers got is vaccine that health-care workers, first-responders, or other more-needy people did not get on a timely basis. What happened could have cost the life of one or more of them. We will never know.

I guess these "line jumpers" didn't realize how inconsiderate they were and making it very public too. Not a good look for them.

[thelegges]

Are you seriously defending letting the Developer's cronies skip the line instead of giving the vaccine to, for example, health-care workers or cancer patients?

If you are in Chemo, vaccine is not recommended. So you can take them off your list, along with anyone taking a thinner. That’s thousands that will not be vaccinated. I am all waiting until I don’t have to jump through hoops to get 2 injection.

Still after you get vaccinated you will be still wearing masks, and social distance, for an unknown amount of months. Maybe you will never be without a mask.

After my other half went back to work, exposed 50 to 60 hours a week, will not be taking the vaccine at all. As is more healthcare workers than you realize.

[graciegirl]

I disagree with part of what you say. Patience is not a virtue in this life-and-death situation.

The Health Department needs to get its act together now. Why isn't it using vaccine-specific, commercially available software from companies like Microsoft or Salesforce rather than using Eventbrite?

Eventbrite is better than using a single phone line, per the Health Department's first idiotic system. However, use of Eventbrite is requiring tens of thousands of people to waste countless man-hours racing each other for a minuscule supply of vaccine. After the race, the vaccine is awarded on an irrational first-come/first-served basis and not going to the most-needy people.

The Health Department also needs to communicate, to the public, its plan is for distributing the vaccine once an adequate supply is available. Development of such a plan needs to be finalized now. Such a plan will take time to implement it.

Florida and three other states have vaccinated more people so far than the rest of the U.S.

[Bay Kid]

Well in reality they've been very busy pointing fingers at the other guy, raising money to get reelected, getting visibility on television and going on 'fact finding' missions around the world Stu....you put all that together and there really isn't much time to do much of anything else

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Lets face it they only care about themselves. Then how to repay the friends, companies and foreigners that helped them. The people that need them are the bottom of the bucket. So sad.

[Bay Kid]

Isn't there a new age limit for receiving the vaccine just put in place in NY?

[Two Bills]

I agree with you on that. We Americans watched many folks in much higher offices in our government take the shot. What more did we need to see? Funny how all we hear about on this forum is from folks who are wanting to be vaccinated. Are there very many people who are anti-vaxxers? Not hearing from them too much at this point.

The silence is deafening.
Probably to busy phoning, or on internet trying to arange a booking!

[PennBF]

It is hard to believe so many will go to extremes to support the terrible people who pushed those in need aside and essentially put some to their deaths so they could grab their vaccine! It actually surprises me someone would do that and then have so many support their outrages acts. The bottom feeders of society are those who pushed those in need, e.g. Health Care workers and Elderly in Assisted living and those who are deathly ill aside and grabbed their vaccine dosage for themselves. If a person supports these acts then they are no better than the ones who are committing the act and should be held accountable for stimulating more to "grab and run". Somewhere out there are 5-6 in need going to die because they did not get the vaccine that could have saved them and was a grab and run by someone not at high risk! Sounds like an overstatement, tell
that to the family who lost the family member. If it shocks you to hear this then it should!:ohdear:

[golfing eagles]

It is hard to believe so many will go to extremes to support the terrible people who pushed those in need aside and essentially put some to their deaths so they could grab their vaccine! It actually surprises me someone would do that and then have so many support their outrages acts. The bottom feeders of society are those who pushed those in need, e.g. Health Care workers and Elderly in Assisted living and those who are deathly ill aside and grabbed their vaccine dosage for themselves. If a person supports these acts then they are no better than the ones who are committing the act and should be held accountable for stimulating more to "grab and run". Somewhere out there are 5-6 in need going to die because they did not get the vaccine that could have saved them and was a grab and run by someone not at high risk! Sounds like an overstatement, tell
that to the family who lost the family member. If it shocks you to hear this then it should!:ohdear:

I guess I'll pose the question again, since it got deleted the first time. Do any of the people (not specifically naming them) who think these 5 who "jumped the line" are "terrible" have a problem with illegal immigrants "jumping the line" ahead of people who have waited years to come here???? Because if you don't, it is utter hypocrisy.

[PennBF]

Yes, those that jump a line and and are illegal are in violation of the law and if they are caught should be deported as that is the law. Unfortunately, the ones who jumped the line in the case of the vaccine did so knowing it was pushing those in need out of line and avoiding consequences because they were allegedly connected. It would be reasonable to assume they grabbed the slots that would have saved 5 or 6 from dying. That is reality which a lot don't want to hear as it may upset their good day. Dramatic to say but again so is the fact that when the nurse goes to the cabinet to get the vaccine for those who are at high risk, it is gone and they are now without and some will die. :ohdear:

[Bill14564]

If anyone knows who the next 300 victims of the virus will be, could you forward that information to the health department so they can be put at the front of the line for vaccines? And if you know who those 300 are, can you tell me where I am in the list of those to die? Saying that the five vaccinations given to the "cronies" would have prevented someone from dying is ridiculous. Over 2,000 vaccinations have been given in Sumter County, does that mean we won't see any deaths in this county for the rest of the month? Of course not.

The guidelines from the CDC are 75 and above; the guidelines from the Governor are 65 and above. I don't know the individuals and it's hard to tell from the photos but I would guess they are all over 65. So while they may have "jumped the line" to get to the front of their group, they were still vaccinated as part of their group.

I certainly hope others 65 and older don't avoid getting vaccinated because of the idea that they may grab "slots that would have saved 5 or 6 from dying." If you are eligible and can get a slot, take it. There is no way to know who among us will become infected next and which, if any, will become sick and die. Don't take a chance, get your shot when you can. And, don't gum up the works for those of us who are in the next group behind you.

[Carla B]

Do you know for sure that actually did transpire? Are there photos or articles stating that "cronies" of the developer jumped the line?

It happened. I saw them getting the vaccine on a clip ran by PBS News Hour on December 22, while the governor looked on. Not sure it was meant to be favoritism, maybe they were just handy.

[Topspinmo]

Are you seriously defending letting the Developer's cronies skip the line instead of giving the vaccine to, for example, health-care workers or cancer patients?

Probably one of the cronies. sharp to criticize when developers are mentioned without hallo?

[Advogado]

The good news: APPARENTLY the Health Department has heard our frustrated voices and is finally instituting a system for one-time, on-line, registration for the vaccine. That is, the Health Department, apparently will no longer require tens of thousands of us to race to register each time a new vaccine supply becomes available and instead will contact the registrants for appointments. It also appears that there are no plans for first-arrived/first-served distribution sites, with the resulting huge lines.

The bad news: The debacles in vaccine distribution continue! Today, the Daily Sun published an incorrect URL for the website to register for COVID-19 vaccine. However, buried on the home page of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office is the following announcement: “In an effort to keep our phone lines open we are asking that you visit the link to make an appointment or to get information regarding this event Safe Restart (https://sumterfl.saferestart.net) “ {That is the correct URL for the website.}

Click on that link to register for an appointment for COVID vaccine. What happens after you get registered is far from clear, and I am not sure about the security of the website-- to which you will be loading sensitive information.

Four tips based on my experience getting registered:
>When you click on the link, have your insurance card(s) handy.
>If you are not computer literate, get somebody knowledgeable to help you register. You will need to know how to include a picture of your insurance card in your application. Even then, you will have to use your imagination in filling out the insurance portion of the data.
>Don't expect a coherent explanation of the inoculation plan.
>You WILL get an emailed confirmation that you are registered.

I hope you find this information helpful. Time will tell how the new system will work, but the typo in today's Daily Sun may be an omen. I hope it isn't and that the vaccination system is getting on track.

[graciegirl]

The good news: APPARENTLY the Health Department has heard our frustrated voices and is finally instituting a system for one-time, on-line, registration for the vaccine. That is, the Health Department, apparently will no longer require tens of thousands of us to race to register each time a new vaccine supply becomes available and instead will contact the registrants for appointments. It also appears that there are no plans for first-arrived/first-served distribution sites, with the resulting huge lines.

The bad news: The debacles in vaccine distribution continue! Today, the Daily Sun published an incorrect URL for the website to register for COVID-19 vaccine. However, buried on the home page of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office is the following announcement: “In an effort to keep our phone lines open we are asking that you visit the link to make an appointment or to get information regarding this event Safe Restart (https://sumterfl.saferestart.net) “ {That is the correct URL for the website.}

Click on that link to register for an appointment for COVID vaccine. What happens after you get registered is far from clear, and I am not sure about the security of the website-- to which you will be loading sensitive information.

Four tips based on my experience getting registered:
>When you click on the link, have your insurance card(s) handy.
>If you are not computer literate, get somebody knowledgeable to help you register. You will need to know how to include a picture of your insurance card in your application. Even then, you will have to use your imagination in filling out the insurance portion of the data.
>Don't expect a coherent explanation of the inoculation plan.
>You WILL get an emailed confirmation that you are registered.

I hope you find this information helpful. Time will tell how the new system will work, but the typo in today's Daily Sun may be an omen.

An omen.

[retiredguy123]

The good news: APPARENTLY the Health Department has heard our frustrated voices and is finally instituting a system for one-time, on-line, registration for the vaccine. That is, the Health Department, apparently will no longer require tens of thousands of us to race to register each time a new vaccine supply becomes available and instead will contact the registrants for appointments. It also appears that there are no plans for first-arrived/first-served distribution sites, with the resulting huge lines.

The bad news: The debacles in vaccine distribution continue! Today, the Daily Sun published an incorrect URL for the website to register for COVID-19 vaccine. However, buried on the home page of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office is the following announcement: “In an effort to keep our phone lines open we are asking that you visit the link to make an appointment or to get information regarding this event Safe Restart (https://sumterfl.saferestart.net) “ {That is the correct URL for the website.}

Click on that link to register for an appointment for COVID vaccine. What happens after you get registered is far from clear, and I am not sure about the security of the website-- to which you will be loading sensitive information.

Four tips based on my experience getting registered:
>When you click on the link, have your insurance card(s) handy.
>If you are not computer literate, get somebody knowledgeable to help you register. You will need to know how to include a picture of your insurance card in your application. Even then, you will have to use your imagination in filling out the insurance portion of the data.
>Don't expect a coherent explanation of the inoculation plan.
>You WILL get an emailed confirmation that you are registered.

I hope you find this information helpful. Time will tell how the new system will work, but the typo in today's Daily Sun may be an omen.
Ok, I registered. You need to provide your SSN and a photo of your insurance card.

[Advogado]

Apparently the County Health Department got calls from a lot of people concerned about the legitimacy of a website that requires your Social Security Number in order for you to make an appointment for vaccination. Consequently, the Health Department has now confirmed the legitimacy of the website but does not explain why we have to enter our Social Security Number to register to make an appointment. | Florida Department of Health in Sumter (http://sumter.floridahealth.gov/alerts.html)

BTW, I registered-- figuring that risking my Social Security Number is better than risking my health.

[coffeebean]

Apparently the County Health Department got calls from a lot of people concerned about the legitimacy of a website that requires your Social Security Number in order for you to make an appointment for vaccination. Consequently, the Health Department has now confirmed the legitimacy of the website but does not explain why we have to enter our Social Security Number to register to make an appointment. | Florida Department of Health in Sumter (http://sumter.floridahealth.gov/alerts.html)

BTW, I registered-- figuring that risking my Social Security Number is better than risking my health.
I called the local health department yesterday, before I applied to register on the site for the vaccination. I was told that The Sumter County Department of Health DOES NOT require a SS# to get a vaccination. I was told by the rep to enter all zeros in the field that asks for SS#. I also did NOT enter any insurance information. I put NO in that field. That is what I did and I received an email saying my application was successful. I'm now waiting for a second code to register for an appointment.

[Viperguy]

The CDC has just gone to the Florida approach to vaccines. 65 and older first.......of course if you are an important member of congress regardless of age, you get yours whenever you want it. Term limits

[coffeebean]

Have any of you who applied for the vaccine on the Safe Restart website and entered all zeros in the SS# field and "NO" for the insurance information been notified by them to make an appointment? I'm wondering if holding back that information they request actually is OK even though they did send me an email stating my application was successful and I will be notified to make an appointment.

I'm hearing about people who applied after I did and they either already got their vaccine or they already have been able to make an appointment with the Safe Restart website.

[Bowtorc]

If you are in Chemo, vaccine is not recommended. So you can take them off your list, along with anyone taking a thinner. That’s thousands that will not be vaccinated. I am all waiting until I don’t have to jump through hoops to get 2 injection.

Still after you get vaccinated you will be still wearing masks, and social distance, for an unknown amount of months. Maybe you will never be without a mask.

After my other half went back to work, exposed 50 to 60 hours a week, will not be taking the vaccine at all. As is more healthcare workers than you realize.

People with blood thinners are not excluded . Check with your health dept.