Public lands and parks make ideal mass vaccine distribution sites because they enable local health departments to quickly and effectively offer COVID-19 vaccines to their communities and prevent the spread of the virus.
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In Hamilton County, residents can receive the vaccine at the Tennessee Riverpark and Enterprise South Nature Park, two parks regularly used by the community for outdoor recreation ranging from biking to fishing.
This use of public lands in a health emergency may be unexpected, but the natural features of these parks lend themselves to effective turnover as crowds continue to flock to vaccine sites. Some of the features that make them destinations for outdoor recreation have in turn made them effective for mass vaccination.
They’re easily accessible by car or public transport.
They’re spread across a large area, preventing crowding and ensuring the ability to maintain social distancing.
They offer a bit of stress relief in the form of fresh air and beautiful surroundings. (We could all use a bit of stress relief during a pandemic, right?)
Especially as states continue to roll out their vaccination plans, we expect to see the use of more public lands and parks used as vaccination sites, aligning with federal strategies and resources to increase vaccine availability.
Add this to the list of reasons why conserving our public lands is immensely important to us and to future generations.