State Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, said hundreds of older Cape Codders do not have access to the internet or computer services that are currently required to book vaccination appointments on the state’s scheduling system.
But now Cape officials know how to contact many of them and offer assistance, Cyr said during a Cape Cod COVID-19 Response Task Force press teleconference Thursday morning.
The individuals came to light during a Wednesday night robocall briefing put on by the task force for Barnstable County residents ages 65 and older.
During the town hall-style phone briefing, 604 people on the line responded by dialing “1” when asked if they lacked internet or computer access at home, Cyr said.
FALMOUTH Jim Sexton of Truro had a big smile behind his blue facial mask after receiving the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine during a regional vaccination clinic Wednesday at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds.
But the 75-year-old said he would’ve felt even happier if more of his friends knew when they would be vaccinated.
“We’re thrilled to be able to get through all the red tape of logging in and making an appointment. That was an ordeal,” Sexton said.
“It was the luck of the draw. I feel for our friends” who haven’t found an appointment, he said.
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HYANNIS – Diane and Lucien Poyant of Hyannisport didn’t know there was a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on the grounds of the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis until they drove past it Monday.
After calling a number at Cape Cod Healthcare, which is hosting the clinic, they got an appointment for Tuesday morning and joined a long line of cars snaking down Scudder Avenue past the West End Rotary.
The Poyants, both 83, said they were thrilled and relieved to stumble upon the opportunity to get their first shots.
“We’ve been trying everything CVS and all that stuff,” Lucien said. “We can’t thank (Cape Cod Healthcare) enough.”
Even though the Cape never got a state-sponsored Stop the Spread COVID-19 testing site, there are multiple local sites where asymptomatic people can get free testing.
(Note that insurance often pays for testing for people who have symptoms or who have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.)
Whole Health Pharmacy
The independently owned pharmacy at 596 W. Main St., Hyannis has been providing free PCR testing through a partnership with the federal government since May.
About two weeks ago, Whole Health doubled the number of test slots available on test days from 60 to 120, creating more opportunity for people to get same-day or next-day testing, said pharmacist/owner Karryn Lewis.