A.G. Gancarski
A once prominent Jacksonville mall that has long since seen better days, Regency Square, saw an uptick in traffic as a state-run COVID-19 testing site last year.
Now the parking-heavy, logistically friendly Arlington parcel has a new purpose in the ongoing war with the novel coronavirus. Going forward, it will serve as a vaccination station, perhaps as soon as Wednesday.
Two senior centers run by the city of Jacksonville have seen struggles with logistics ranging from waiting times to parking at the neighborhood locations.
More than 8,000 vaccinations have been administered at those senior center locations, and the city stands ready to open more sites, but supply shortages are acute in Jacksonville as elsewhere.
The bulk of remarks focused on establishing the narrative that the city is ready to give shots, but is getting shorted on supply.
“The city will run out of its first dose of vaccines Thursday by the end of the day,” Mayor Lenny Curry said. “To be clear, at this moment in time, we run out on Thursday and at the end of Thursday we can no longer operate those centers for new vaccinations.”
The state of Florida ultimately doles out the vaccines, a passthrough from the federal government.
“Many of you have expressed frustration with the availability. Please understand that we do not control the supply chain. While the State of Florida determines who receives their weekly allotment and how much, even they don’t know what they will get week to week.”
Curry voiced “confidence” in the procurement of vaccines, but noted that “at this pace, it could take months before most of us receive the vaccine.”
“We would love to have control of supplies … but that’s just not where we are,” the Mayor lamented. “We are facing a national logistics issue.”
“We stand ready to open more sites if, and the if is important, more supplies become available.”
Duval has crossed the 75,000 case count, with daily positive tests at a robust 8.5%. Curry described “a spike in cases … an uptick in the community as spread continues.” Hospitals are “handling the load,” but Curry urged people to take it seriously.
“A mask is not a political statement,” the Mayor pleaded, urging social distancing and “stepping up your sanitation practices.”
Dr. Leon Haley, the CEO of UF Health, said the “second surge is here,” albeit with “encouraging signs.”
Improved treatments, such as “using oxygen judiciously,” has helped make treatment more efficient. And ventilators abound for those who might need them.
Elective procedures are available, he added, and PPE is in healthy supply.
