I’m totally pleased to report that I’ve received my second covid shot–Pfizer, at Fenway Park–and, despite a very sore arm, I want to offer thanks and kudos to CIC-health for a well-run and pleasant experience.
As I’ve written in the past, I spent 10 years as a client at CIC Cambridge, which offers shared office space to many startups in an environment that is uplifting, educational and supportive. I found the same at Fenway, which, I am embarrassed to admit, I had, before this week, visited only once in all the years I’ve lived in Cambridge.
I was able to park for free in a space with no meter across from Entrance A, on Jersey Street; someone called out on a loudspeaker not to come to the entrance until 15 minutes before the appointment time. So I waited for a few minutes, then showed my email confirmation to a pleasant fellow managing the door.
Inside, I picked up a new mask to replace my own, answered a few questions about my health status, and then got in line.
.While waiting, I took photos–which an assistant said was fine, as long as I didn’t show any faces. I found the covid advice amidst the ads for hotdogs and such amusing; likewise, red sox on the signs.
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Within ten minutes, I reached the front of the line and was directed to a desk where, it turned out, shifts were changing and a tech was advising another administrator, a doctor, how to work the computer system.
While waiting, I snappped photos of techs filling syringes at a station where spectators ordinarily buy beer.
Then, after asking a few questions and confirming my ID, the doc gave me the shot (it stung a bit) and told me he was glad I had come. I said I was, too, and also that HE had.
Next –into a waiting area.
After hanging out for the required 15 minutes, I got a few more shots (haha) and resolved to come back for better ones on a nicer day.
Heading back to Cambridge, I gave silent thanks to CIC and the team that had made what might have been a nerve wracking experience into a rather pleasant way to spend an hour or less. I’m greatful to be moving into what I hope will soon be a post-covid,”Go Sox ” world. Who knows–maybe I’ll even get to a game!
Anita M. Harris is a writer and communications consultant based on Cambridge, MA.
New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, also in Cambridge.
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