INTERNATIONAL STORY PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CONTRIBUTOR DISPATCHES FROM VACCINATED STREET PAPER VENDORS: “NOBODY SHOULD GO WITHOUT THE SHOT” BY JILL SHAUGHNESSY EDITED FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY With Covid vaccines being rolled out differently across the world, that means marginalized and vulnerable communities in different parts of the world are receiving immunization at different rates. But it does mean some good news: street paper vendors are beginning to receive the jab, and with the world opening up again, that’s more than welcome. WITH PFIZER, ASTRAZENECA, MODERNA, JOHNSON AND JOHNSON, and more vaccines beginning to become available, countries are starting to vaccinate their populations, starting with the elderly. The rollout of the vaccine begins to provide a light at the end of a very dark tunnel that is the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the process to grab a vaccine appointment remains a mystery to many. Homeless populations are eligible for the shot in different parts of the world. The requirements differ globally, but a few street paper vendors have gotten their jab. In Nashville, Tennessee, soon-to-be expired doses are being sent to homeless shelters around the city. As of 5 April, 10 DENVER VOICE May 2021 Tennessee was in phase 3 of the vaccine distribution. That means all people considered homeless, regardless of age, are eligible to get the shot. Three vendors from The Contributor street paper in Nashville have already received their vaccine. In an interview, vendor Paul describes his experience getting the jab at Music City Center. He tells The Contributor that the entire process took about 30 minutes. In Paul’s experience, it took 15 minutes for the shot, and 15 minutes of observation time to ensure he didn’t have a bad reaction. He describes how he experienced no pain with the shot and was ready to grab a cup of coffee and get to work afterward. Paul encourages everyone to get the vaccine. “Nobody should go without the shot. Nobody. The more people get the shots, get vaccinated, the sooner the city can reopen to full capacity,” he said. Teresa is another vendor who received her vaccine in Nashville. She was originally turned away at the Walmart vaccination center because she didn’t have health insurance. To her relief, after an hour of waiting, she was able to get the shot anyway. Teresa had no real pain after, just a little discomfort in her arm. “It’s not as bad as you think it would be. Even the scaredy cats that are afraid of shots, it’s not that bad,” she said. Megaphone in Vancouver, Canada is also seeing some success with vaccine distribution for their sellers. “We have been fairly fortunate in Vancouver, B.C. There have been several vaccination clinics for marginalized people — including vendors — in the Downtown Eastside, which is home to mostly low-income residents and also a lot of people experiencing homelessness. In fact, the office building where Megaphone is located hosted a vaccine clinic (Friday 26 March) and many of our vendors signed up,” said Megaphone editor Paula Carlson. Peter Thompson, a vendor for Megaphone, received his vaccine at the Carnegie Community Center. He did not
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