Interview with Susie Acosta

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Interview with Susie Acosta

(The interviewer starts with an introduction)

Ann Lynn Parker,: Hello Susie, welcome and thank you for sharing your time to join this conversation. We are curious about your experience going to the Supersite for vaccination in Oakland. Do you mind sharing your experience from the beginning to the end?

Susie Acosta: Sure, hello everyone! I am Susie Acosta, a teacher at Fremont School. Now, first I went to MyTurn.ca.gov.com which said I was not eligible based on the phases. I waited. Contacted my doctor and he said, at that time, only 75 and above were eligible. So, fine. Then CSD’s Superintendent sent an email saying that a list of all the CSD staff was sent to Alameda County’s Department of Education. Then my friend, a colleague, informed me that there was availability through MyTurn.gov website. So I went to the website. There was information and questions about where I work, I entered I am a teacher. There were questions about personal information like are you pregnant or breastfeeding, are you allergic and other questions. After all the questions a screen came up with dates for appointments. I felt I had to hurry because they would fill up quickly. Then chose the 2nd date for the next vaccine. It told me “Congratulations! you made it!” I got a code, which is important or when you arrive at the site, they won’t let you in without the code. After that, I did not know if there would be an interpreter or what to expect. Then I got information from a colleague at work, who told me they have interpreters there. She suggested when you go to the site, tell them you are Deaf then they will get an interpreter. It was good that my colleague informed me. I looked up the site location on Waze and started to drive. I noticed a long line of cars but was not sure which exit to take because there are two exits 36 and 37. Exit 37 you have to go a ways around, 36 is a shorter distance but Waze said to take 37 but I was not sure because of the long line. I took exit 37 and went past factories on both sides. I continued along until the entrance where we merged with those from exit 36 so 37 was a short cut. There were people standing by and I gestured that I am Deaf and they called an interpreter over. The interpreter motioned to me to follow them, they were in a golf cart. We left the long line and it was nice following the interpreter. Then we parked and the interpreter introduced themself and said that he was from FEMA. They had a list of questions they asked, which I answered. Then introduced me to another person, a woman a firefighter, giving the shot. I opened the car door and she gave me the shot and closed the door. She explained I would go to another area for 15 minutes. She explained that if you felt dizzy to flash the headlights, if I felt like passing out, honk the horn and they were ready to respond. It was nice they had a system ready for how to respond with either flashing lights or honking the horn if you had a serious response to the vaccine. I had no response to the vaccine. After 15 minutes I was done and left. FEMA people explained they were giving 6,200 vaccines per day, every day until April. The program, federally funded, will continue. I asked the interpreter if there were interpreters for other languages and they said yes, “Chinese”, Spanish, ASL, nice so no one feels unsure if they had questions. They were ready with people to interpret. Wow, 6,200 per day, 7 days a week from 8 am to 7 pm. I was impressed, they were very friendly and cooperative. The National Guard was involved, Firemen, Military, FEMA coordinated all the resources. The whole process took less than 15 minutes. It was nice that my friends told me what to expect and warned me, I didn’t feel lost, it went smoothly.

Ann Lynn: Wonderful! Thanks for sharing that. I am curious what your tips are for the community to prepare?

Susie: They ask for your ID, so bring your ID. I brought proof that I worked at the school but they didn’t ask for it. Just show your ID to show you live in Alameda County.

Ann Lynn: Did they ask for your health insurance information?

Susie: No, they did not ask for my health insurance information. It was free, the vaccine. Just bring yourself. Be sure you are healthy. They asked if you are sick, have a cold, to make sure you are 100% healthy to get the vaccination.

Ann Lynn: That is worth knowing! Thank you for explaining in detail your experience and advising others. We really appreciate it.

Susie: Thank you. Have a good day

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