A thumbs-up to our worthy warriors

It was an easy procedure and then it was a matter of making an appointment at a vaccination site and off I went.

Arriving at Mall of the South’s Dis-Chem vaccination site on a cold Tuesday morning, I have to admit I was a bit confused about more than one waiting room.

One or two with an empty chair or three, even six and then a long queue.

But hey, if you don’t know then you ask, don’t you?

And so I was informed that the queue was the place to be and I joined the others.

When things started moving and I was finally seated in one of the rooms, I was again a bit confused about those with appointments, walk-ins and those coming for their second shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

Nonetheless, the staff at hand seemed to know what they were doing and we moved from the one waiting room to the next, got a form to fill in and waited, then moved and waited, moved and waited until the final stage was in sight.

To my surprise, this is where things really started speeding up and soon I was through the last stage. Done and dusted with the date for my second appointment in hand.

For those of you who want to know, no, I did not suffer any side effects except for an arm that felt a little bruised and this was gone the next day.

Get with the programme

The point I am trying to make here is that we’ve had to adapt to many things since the very first lockdown and surely, getting in a long queue and moving from one room to another are just some of those new ‘normals’ we have to get used to.

Because let me tell you, since I walked in there I was not once ill-treated, sneered at, frowned upon when I asked questions, dismissed or ignored.

On the contrary, the staff based at the station are all extremely professional and very patient.

I have seen people throwing forms to the ground with a muffled accusation towards the staff and storming out of the waiting rooms.

I have seen people coming and going without acknowledging the staff, without a smile (you do know a smile shows in your eyes even if you wear a mask don’t you?), sitting with their irritation clearly showing in the way they shifted in their chairs and tapping their feet.

I have seen people just pushing past the staff without acknowledgement or a thank you.
This to me was a huge disappointment.

You are worthy warriors

My experience was a pleasant one. From beginning up to my last stop with Bonolo (the only name I can remember). She took her time and explained the procedure in great detail (with a smile) and answered all my questions.

And this is what they do. Day in and day out they are there for us, speaking to and dealing with hundreds of people – ever so polite and with a smile.

So to all of the care- and health workers and other staff involved at this specific station, I thank you for a pleasant experience.

Many others shared their experiences with us from different vaccination stations and they were all highly appreciative and impressed with the way they were treated and the way things are organised.

I won’t be able to do what you as frontline workers do on a daily, especially enduring the rudeness of some.

I want to extend my sincerest thank you to all of you and in doing so, I also include those in hospitals caring for the ill and fighting for the lives of many who have been admitted to your care.

I take my hat off to you all in admiration for your care, your professionalism, your tenacity – for simply being there day in and day out. You are earth angels.

You are worthy warriors because, without you, the fight against Covid-19 would have been long lost.

Carina van der Walt – Editor