To keep readers up to date regarding Covid-19 vaccinations and issues regarding the pandemic, The News holds a Tuesday morning conversation with Bridgton Hospital President Peter Wright. The following is this week’s Q/A session with Mr. Wright:

By the Numbers. For the period of March 22-27, there were 560 vaccinations.

• 49.9% of all vaccines given by Central Maine last week were between the ages 50 to 59

• 34.16% were between the ages 60 to 69

• 7.71% were between the ages 70 to 79

• 59.76% of the people vaccinated so far have received their second shot

• Bridgton Hospital is only using the Moderna vaccine. “Our process is already pretty complicated, so the last thing we wanted to do was to introduce another vaccine if we didn’t have to. So, the Medical Center has been largely doing Pfizer, while Bridgton and Rumford have been using Moderna just for the sake of logistics,” Bridgton Hospital President Peter Wright reported during Tuesday’s weekly briefing with The News. The high volume Covid-19 vaccination clinic run by Central Maine Healthcare at the Auburn Mall is using both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Q.Has Bridgton Hospital received calls from elderly patients who are unable to get to the vaccine clinic?

Wright: “The predominant situation with people who have transportation issues is you see folks coming together as a community and through social networks, they are getting here somehow. That said, not everyone has a social network or some people have some mobility issues. So, we continue to work with Androscoggin Home Health, who is a strategic partner of ours, to get into homes. They are handling the home care part, because that’s what they do.”

Q. As vaccinations open to those 16 and older in the coming weeks, how will this shift affect Bridgton Hospital?

Wright: Our issues all along hasn’t been supply. We have always had plenty of vaccine. Our issues have been about logistics. The way the state decided to approach this put us in a situation. Around here, we don’t say labor pool, we say labor puddle. The availability of staff is just not there. We’re using people already assigned in our organization and using weekend people who might want to pick up some extra time during the week. It’s always been about staffing, which is why we have been doing clinics on Saturday. The state did make a good move to help with our logistics by adding a pre-registration to the sign-up website. Up until last week, we had to fully register the patient here. That was just a lead anchor on the process. Getting the shot is 10 seconds, roll up your sleeve, we wipe your arm clean and give the injection — done. A minute at the most. Then, there is the 15-minute wait observation, but we can pool those people. One person watching 25 to 30 people isn’t a problem. By having people pre-register, it speeds up the vaccination process and enables us to serve more people within that time frame. 

Q. Number of questions being asked about vaccinations declining?

Wright: The questions have died down a little bit. There is good information out there for the most part. There is still bad information, too. I listen to a daily podcast by the New York Timescalled “The Daily.” There’s been a lot of information about people of color not getting the vaccine because of access or education. The reality is that the people not getting the vaccines are conservative men. When you think about the politicalization of masks and the vaccine, you see where it is. It’s interesting because the former president got the vaccine but got his under the cover of darkness. I think people have made up their mind. I don’t see things changing. If you look at the new statistics coming out and the warnings from the CDC about what the demographics look like of people getting the virus, being hospitalized, and being very sick, obviously it is less and less the elderly because they are more and more vaccinated. We’re seeing now young adults get sick, be hospitalized across the country. In seeing this information, I’m hoping that the “I’m bullet proof, it’s not going to happen to me,” thought process changes. 

Q. As of late, have we seen many Covid-19 cases here in the Lake Region?

Wright: Numbers are still relatively small. They’ve been up and down with Spring Break, and people returning from Florida. There’s been mini surges, but nothing huge. 

Q. Last week, SAD 61 announced the return of hybrid students to full, in-person instruction April 5. Your thoughts regarding the decision?

Wright: I’ve worked with the superintendent in the River Valley, less here, but everyone has been given the same advice. What we have discovered is that the schools are doing a great job with their protective measures, cleaning, keeping kids in pods so everyone has an inner circle and making sure those circles cross over as little as possible. What we’re seeing is kids are actually safer in schools. Some schools that have gone remote, that I have worked with, the kids are outside, mixing with other kids and not wearing their masks. When they are in school, they are following the rules, they are wearing their masks, and they are a lot safer. I think that the practices the schools have been using are really good, really safe. I think it’s in the best interest of children. What we know about the virus, for children 12 years old and younger, the rate of transmission between kids is much smaller and the severity of illness is also much lighter, with safe practices. What we’ve learned that what is damaging is the social aspects of being remote. Just the behavioral aspects of kids not being able to play and see each other is far more damaging for children than adults. Furthermore, the suppression of academic advancement remote is quite notable in many, many areas. Getting kids back to school is better for them emotionally, academically and for their behavorial health. 

Parting words:“We’re happy to see the warmer weather and people getting outdoors. I caution people that even if you are vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands and socially distance whenever possible,” — Peter Wright. 

Vaccination Appointments. Vaccination at the Central Maine Healthcare-run site at the Auburn Mall is available by appointment only. To check availability, book an appointment or find out more about high-volume vaccination site, visit cmhc.org or telephone the Central Maine Healthcare Covid-19 vaccine call center at 207-520-2917. Vaccinations will take place at the Center Court of the Auburn Mall. The entrance will be through the south entrance, near Thatcher’s.

With the opening of Auburn Mall site, Central Maine Healthcare is pivoting resources from the clinics at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston to the high-volume site. Community vaccination clinics will continue at Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.