We sat on the benches of a middle school, waiting for the obligatory 15 minutes to pass. Many people sat around us in 6 foot increments. Some of the older patients chatted with each other from opposite sides of their benches. Younger adults looked at their phones. A few parents had come with their small children. The little ones squeaking over a toy gave us all a reason to smile behind our masks.

At the inoculation chairs, nurses provided small talk as they prepared a patient’s arm for the vaccine. Their faces were focused and worn, but didn’t show signs of exhaustion. (Though, I’m sure they were.) I can only imagine their burden. Administering the newest & emergency-only FDA approved vaccine while trying to reassure one patient after another. Remembering to sign off the covid medical card. Remembering to sanitize the seat after each patient. Remembering to say hello as a new body filled it.

The middle school principal could be heard at the entrance. He was easy to hear, for the newcomers came in wary and silent. He cheerfully boomed to newcomers: “We are so pleased to have a record breaking turnout! Unfortunately, we’ve ran out of nurses, so we put the bus drivers on duty to administer your vaccines today!” Chuckles were spread through the hallway. The chuckles opened the gate for quiet conversation.

Here and there a watch beep was heard. 15 minutes were up. No allergic reactions to the shot. They were in the clear. The owner of the watch quickly collected their minuscule people and belongings. They hurried out the building, probably to home, where the side effects were bound to catch up with an unwelcome arrival for the next 24 hours.

Soreness permeated my tricep. Our coworker had recommended that we should rotate our vaccinated arms. Ideally, the increased blood flow would reduce the pain. For 15 minutes we rotated and rotated and rotated. Now both my tricep and bicep were sore.

Grateful to be a part of history this day.