New York, May 12, 2021 (AFP) – Some are foreigners who arrived directly from the airport; others, New Yorkers who want to get vaccinated in the simplest way possible: everyone can, starting this Wednesday, be immunized against covid-19 at New York’s Grand Central Station, part of a pilot program aimed at convincing those who still doubt. Shortly after 0700 local time, the first willing to be vaccinated lined up in the great historic hall of this station located in the heart of Manhattan to receive the immunizing single-dose Johnson & Johnson. The operation was designed “so that we can get vaccinated as much fast as possible, “and it is” open to everyone, tourists, passengers, everyone who passes through the station, “stressed Catherine Rinaldi, one of New York’s transportation managers, before the opening. And to attract more people, A one-week metro voucher is offered to all newly vaccinated people. Around 08:30 local time, the first ones entered the booths located behind white tarps. Among them, Chuck Smith, 25, unemployed, who came especially from the Bronx. He could have been vaccinated earlier, closer to home, but he wanted “a single dose vaccine”, “convenience”, and the “history” of this station built in the early 20th century and saved from demolition by Jackie Kennedy- Onassis in the 1970s, John Bovill was also in line. An insurance employee, he was in no rush to get vaccinated because he was infected with the virus in March 2020, at the height of the pandemic in New York, and had even recently tested positive for antibodies. But Bovill wants to be able to travel this summer, he explains. “The airlines are going to require a vaccine, my job will probably require it too,” he said. Against this background, the station, easily accessible from his office, was a good opportunity. – “Direct from the airport” -A couple with suitcases were also waiting their turn: Giovanni Torres, 43, and his wife Angela, who had arrived directly from the JFK airport, where they had landed at 05:00 in the morning from Bogotá. In Colombia, only those over 60 are eligible for vaccination at the moment, he said. So a month ago they planned a five-day trip to New York, where they have family, to get vaccinated. When they heard on Monday that the first American city would be vaccinating in the subway, they decided to do it as they passed. “We weren’t sure it was true. We came straight from the airport … and it was true!” Torres said. How many people will be tempted by this campaign launched Wednesday at six New York subway stations and two suburban stations? It is difficult to know, in a metropolis where 3.8 million of the 8.5 million inhabitants have already received at least one dose, and where the health authorities are now facing the indifferent.Pat Foye, president of the transport authority of New York said Wednesday that the show will certainly “adapt” after the first few days, depending on demand. Grand Central is equipped to vaccinate “250 to 300 people” per day, but will increase its capacity if demand justifies it, he said.cat/dax/mls/ll ————– ———————————————–
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