COVID-19 Vaccine: Peaky Blinders, Disneyland, & Other Surprising Vaccination Hubs
Forgot what positivity feels like? Well, here’s some #UpliftingNews to help set the tone for the week and hopefully for the rest of the year! Check out the five most interesting locations that are currently being used as a COVID-19 vaccination hub! First published in YouTrip Blog
After a tumultuous 2020, we can only hope for a kinder and less chaotic 2021. With only one month into the new year, we’re starting to see signs of that! As the COVID-19 vaccines are being disseminated worldwide, countries are ramping up their vaccination efforts in an attempt to stymie the spread of the virus.
To help alleviate the stress on the healthcare system, governments have taken to creating makeshift vaccination hubs! This has become quite a hot topic. Want to know why? Read on to find out. (Hint: it’s all in the location.)
First thing’s first — what exactly are vaccination hubs?
They are specially designated centres that individuals can visit to get vaccinated! These hubs were designed to support existing healthcare facilities. They’re typically chosen based on how many people they can accommodate (and subsequently vaccinate) at once, making them the perfect solution for countries with huge populations and high COVID-19 infection rates.
So apart from the regular hospitals and clinics, here’s where some of the vaccination hubs are located:
1. Disneyland in Anaheim, California
Image credits: Disney Parks
It’s not called the Happiest Place on Earth for nothing! Disneyland is one of California’s first super “point-of-dispensing” (PODs) sites slated to dispense 7,000 vaccines daily.
It’s great to see that the folks behind this iconic, magical place have stepped up to the plate, particularly because California has been quite a COVID-19 hot spot. It reportedly has one of the highest infection rates per capita to date across the United States. This makes it extra crucial for them to get their population vaccinated as soon as possible.
2. Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, United Kingdom (Peaky Blinders!)
Image credits: Black Country Living Museum
Looks familiar? Well, it’s more famously known as the Peaky Blinder’s set. Chosen for its location and unique open-air concept, the museum pays homage to the industrial heart of England — Black Country.
The Peaky Blinder’s home ground is set to offer up to a thousand vaccinations each week, ramping up the UK’s efforts in combating the virus.
3. Citi Fields in Queens, New York
Image credits: Bleacher Report
Fans of baseball would be familiar with this location. But even if you don’t follow the sport, maybe the New York Mets’ might ring a bell? The home base of the Mets is set to become one of the few 24/7 vaccination sites in New York, living up to its nickname of being the city that never sleeps.
While it was just announced that the state will be postponing the opening of this vaccination hub, it was meant to administer between 5,000 to 7,000 vaccinations each day. Fingers crossed that they’ll be up and running soon!
4. Erika-Hess Ice Rink in Berlin, Germany
Image credits: Yahoo News
In the German capital, officials have converted this ice stadium into their second vaccination hub. And if you were wondering whether the vaccination would take place on the ice, we’re sorry to disappoint. Instead, the stadium has split into multiple makeshift cubicles so that residents can get their vaccines while being socially distanced from others.
Currently, the stadium is only doing one vaccination shift each day in order not to overwhelm frontline workers, and also to prevent large groups from congregating.
5. Salisbury Cathedral in Salisbury, United Kingdom
Image credits: The Guardian
Here’s another unique vaccination spot in the UK! The 800-year-old cathedral is converted into a vaccination hub, serving the elderly residing in the community. While the vulnerable are getting inoculated in these strange and uncertain times, the Church has been playing live organ music to help soothe the nerves.
Religion aside, art aficionados and history buffs would know that this early 13th-century building is also an ode to gothic architecture, making this vaccination hub extra special.
Vaccines, classical music and gorgeous architecture — who would’ve thought?
Vaccination Hubs: A glimmer of hope after a bleak 2020?
Most definitely. With Israel already taking the lead in the vaccine race and with more than 50 countries ramping up their vaccination programmes, it’s exciting to know that by the end of 2021, we’d have large populations of people protected against COVID-19.
While 2020 was a pretty damn awful year, it was also not without silver linings. In just one year, we’ve all experienced personal growth like never before, watched technology advance in leaps and bounds, and adapted to new norms in ways we know (and don’t know) how.
Collectively as a human race, we’ve prevailed and soldiered on.
With the vaccine race going into a full sprint, it’s heartening to know that in a not-so-distant future, we’ll be able to cross the international borders and reunite with friends, loved ones and strangers again.
Till then, here are some online resources to keep you occupied and healthy, ICYMI — for those looking to work out from the comfort and safety of home, we’ve got the perfect shortlist for you. And for those looking to unwind after a long day at the desk, here are some unique subscription services for you to explore.
Remember: stay safe, keep well, and take the vaccine if you can!
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