Virus vs. vaccine

Make an appointment Visit coviderieohio.com to schedule a free COVID-19 vaccine in Erie County. SANDUSKY — Between them and their colleagues, they've collectively administered thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations to community members. To better understanding their roles, the Register spoke with nine local frontline health care workers — those representing the Erie County Health Department and Firelands Regional Health System, which includes Firelands Regional Medical Center — who offered their candid comments about this unprecedented process. Each person answered four questions: 1. Who are you, and what's your role in health care? 2. What have been your takeaways, to date, about the vaccine process? 3. How do you feel about playing a public role in administering the vaccine? 4. What would you say to people who have not yet received a vaccine? Here are their answers: Beckie Catri, Firelands 1. I am a critical care registered nurse. I have been in the medical field for 44 years, first as a nurse's aide then a licensed practical nurse and a registered nurse. I have been at Firelands since 2000. I have worked in a variety of positions, however, critical care is my passion. 2. I have been anticipating the COVID-19 vaccine. During the beginning of the pandemic, I attempted, through conversation and social media, to share my belief and trust in the science of the matter, encouraging face masks, hand-washing and social distancing. It was our only defense against this novel virus — until now. Now we have the ability to be vaccinated and build some immunity and, hopefully, attain herd immunity so we can all safely, and with good health, re-enter life with some normalcy. The vaccine will provide you with some defense. Once you build immunity, if you contract the virus, it will be a more mild case, not disabling or life-threatening. 3. I have been so excited to be able to participate in the vaccine clinics. The public comes to us with great trepidation. We all fear the unknown. But the responses have truly been amazing. People are cheering, clapping, rejoicing upon getting their vaccine. They are voicing a huge sense of relief. I am so happy to be part of the battle in conquering the pandemic. 4. The folks coming in for second vaccines, as is required with Moderna and Pfizer, most often reveal they had a sore arm, minor headache or body aches and often a sense of tiredness, which was also my personal experience. Any of these symptoms are your body's immune response at work. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. We, the people of Sandusky and the surrounding areas, can arm ourselves with one more piece of artillery — to go with the masks, hand-washing and social distancing — against COVID. Yes, we still need to do those things becuase we have not yet achieved enough immunity. I implore you to get a vaccine. Let's join together, as a community, and get this done. Paige Chesser, Erie County 1. I am the clinical information systems program manager at the Erie County Health Department/Erie County Community Health Center. I have been with this organization for six years and overall in health care for eight years. 2. I am involved in the registration and check-in process when it comes to our vaccine clinics. My experience on that end with the public has been positive. The community has been so appreciative. I can hear it in their voices when I call to schedule and, even with masks on, I can see their smiles when they come through our doors. 3. I have been working with urgency, passion and purpose each and every day to help improve the situation. This unprecedented pandemic has come with many challenges, but myself and my team members are determined to provide our community the tools to overcome this pandemic. 4. The vaccines that have been made available for us are very effective and are going to create the path to a new normal. Connie Dagg, Firelands 1. I am the director of education services, and I have worked at Firelands for 36 years and in health care for 39 years. 2. Working with the vaccine clinics has been very rewarding, highly positive and certainly heartwarming. The grand majority of people are grateful and relieved to be taking a definitive step toward a pandemic-free world. It is common to hear about how their vaccine completions will bring families back together to celebrate milestones, such as new babies, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations and, of course, holidays. Some recipients are mildly anxious with their first dose, but when they come back for their second dose, they are often relaxed and future-focused. 3. I feel deeply honored and privileged to assist in these vaccine clinics. I am a third-generation nurse, and I proudly carry that legacy forward to support the health and well-being of this community. Caring for others is in my DNA. 4. For those who are hesitant to receive the vaccine, I would encourage them to bring all their questions forward to their health care provider or trusted health care professional. Take the time to get all the information available from reputable sources. These delicate, respected decisions must be based on fact, not fear or misinformation. Nichole Dehn, Firelands 1. I am the nursing director on Rehab 5 Tower. I have been with Firelands for almost 20 years. 2. Helping in the COVID clinics has been an amazing experience. The community response has been wonderful. Everyone is so grateful and appreciative of not just the staff but our organization. I feel blessed to be able to participate and offer my services. 3. I do feel very privileged to have an opportunity to provide these services to my family and community. This vaccine is going to help make a positive impact on our lives for the better. As a nurse, you want to be a part of making that positive impact on the lives of others. That passion to be a part of making history with providing this vaccine is huge. 4. If you haven't received your vaccine, don't be afraid. We talk to people in the clinics who come in nervous and afraid. But I think we help ease their mind and help them understand this vaccine is important to everyone. COVID is real and not going away. Protect yourself and those you love. And, lastly, the needle isn't as big as the commercials make it out to be. Laura Porter, Firelands 1. I'm a registered nurse at Firelands Corporate Health Center. I've been employed with Firelands Regional Medical Center since 2012. 2. At first, I was very apprehensive about dealing with the public's vaccine perception. In fact, I actually lost sleep for several nights before our first public clinics. We've all heard it: "It's too new." "I'm not getting microchipped." " I still have to wear a mask, so what's the point?" I'm so relieved to report that this has been, by far, the most rewarding experience of my career. Each and every person who has come in has been kind, grateful, and some have even cried tears of joy. I've absolutely loved sharing these special moments with people and having the opportunity to have mini-celebrations with them. 3. I am beyond proud of Firelands' role during this pandemic. I have made it my personal mission to get as many vaccines out there as possible to help protect my community and my family: my husband, who is a first responder; my friend, who just had a child; my niece, who is too young to receive it. Together, we can achieve herd immunity. 4. I understand it is a scary time, and this is a new vaccine. But I trust science. I also tell my patients that you're likely going to hear the bad restaurant reviews before you hear the good ones. It's the same with this: If someone has a bad experience, word travels really quickly. I can assure you that the side effects that you may experience are far less than the permanent damage you can suffer from COVID-19. I've had numerous patients state, "I didn't even know I was positive. I just thought I had allergies." This just goes to show you how sneaky this virus can be. If that patient ignored their symptoms and didn't get tested and spread it to your loved one, would you be upset? I certainly would. If that means having a sore arm and maybe feeling a little crummy for a few days is going to protect your family and friends, I think it's worth it. Stephanie Salyer, Erie County 1. I am a registered nurse and a site supervisor. I have been with the Erie County Community Health Center for almost two and a half years, and I have been a registered nurse for five years. I have been in the health care field on and off for about 13 years. 2. My interaction with the general public regarding the COVID vaccine has been mostly positive. Of course, everyone has their reservations and personal stance on the topic of the vaccine. During my time with patients, I find that with proper education, talking through each step of the vaccine process and answering lingering questions really helps to ease the mind of the patient. In turn, they find out that it's not so bad, then they go and tell their loved ones and encourage them to get vaccinated. This all helps to contribute to the greater good: ending the pandemic, which I hope is everyone's end goal. 3. I feel extremely proud to play a contributing role in this pandemic, especially within the area of public health nursing. This role allows us to care for the community by utilizing preventative practices and education to care for our patients and protect the ones we love. With every vaccine we administer, we are helping to end this virus before it starts versus trying to heal someone who has fallen victim to it. I applaud those in the hospital and other inpatient settings as they are bravely and tirelessly fighting to save their patients. This profession requires a certain type of person. You have to care about people, and that's what we are all here to do. I feel extremely privileged to be a part of such a successful and hard-working team here at Erie County Community Health Center. The sacrifices and time spent, from nursing to environmental health, is nothing short of miraculous. The people that make up this team are what has truly kept us going through such a pivotal time in our lives. 4. When my patients are apprehensive about getting the vaccine, I let them know that it is completely normal to feel that way. I then share my first-hand experiences with COVID. I've felt all parts of this pandemic: from being infected with the virus to watching both of my parents experience it two totally different ways and even losing one of my very close friends to the virus. I also share my experience of being vaccinated. I let them know that I empathize with them and that I truly only want the best for them. Again, the end goal is to end this pandemic, and I will try my best to help in any way I can to make that happen. David Waller, Firelands 1. I'm the pharmacy director, and I've been in health care for 40 years. My role as a pharmacist has been in the storage and preparation of the vaccines. There's a lot going on behind the scenes before you get your vaccination. 2. My experiences with the public have been extremely positive. Everyone has been so appreciative and grateful that it makes you feel that you are making a difference allowing them to get back to a normal life. Many people haven't seen grandchildren or family members in over a year, so they are hopeful the vaccine will change that. 3. I'm proud of what I am doing and what the entire pharmacy is doing to get the vaccine ready for our clinics. 4. I received the vaccine in December, and my family has since then. Some of us had no reaction to the vaccine and some others a minor reaction, but that is an indication your immune system is working. We all are happy with the comfort and peace of mind it has given us to get back to a certain sense of normal. Heather Westcott, Erie County 1. I'm a registered nurse and the director of primary care and clinical services. I have been working in health care for 12 years and public health nursing for 10 years. 2. My overall experience working with the public has been positive. I feel as though our community has been really receptive to the vaccine and eager to get it. There are a lot of members in our community that has been waiting a year for this vaccine. I've heard so many comments expressing excitement, joy, appreciation and perspective. 3. I do feel proud of playing a role in this pandemic. As a nurse, I have been given so many opportunities to expand my public health experiences, providing the needed services to our community. Meeting so many great people through COVID testing and COVID vaccination and hearing their stories has been humbling. It's reminded me why I became a nurse. I care about my neighbors, my family, my friends and people I've never met, and that's why I chose public health as my profession, my career. It's been a long year for me, but not as long as others have had, and I know my role is a small piece in this pandemic and getting back to normal. 4. For people who are feeling apprehensive, I always start by telling them it's OK to feel apprehensive or nervous. Please ask questions about the vaccine and about COVID. I review the vaccine with them and provide as much education as I can. I always relate why I chose to get vaccinated. I was more worried about spreading COVID to someone I care about. I was worried I would take COVID home to my family. Nicole Ziegler, Erie County 1. I am a primary care and clinical services supervisor and a dental supervisor. 2. Overall, working with the community has been positive. It has been a privilege to work with the team and be among one of the first organizations in our county to receive and administer the COVID vaccine. We have worked hard to ensure that it is a smooth process for our patients from scheduling an appointment to receiving the vaccine. 3. The past year has been tough and affected each of our lives personally and professionally. Collectively, we want life to go back to normal. In order to do that, we need to work as a team, follow proper guidance set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and get vaccinated to protect ourselves and others. My passion and determination stem from the sole reason many of us become health care professionals which is to help take care of others. 4. As soon as I was eligible to receive the vaccine, I did. I feel it is important to protect not only ourselves but others as well. I have peace of mind knowing that I am vaccinated and hope that as others get vaccinated we see less COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. At most, I had a sore arm with my vaccine that resolved within two days. I will take a sore arm over becoming infected with COVID or passing it to a loved one who may or may not become severely ill.