Thread by @tlangford

Because I'm a selfish single person with time on my hands + no one over 65 in my house, dove into Texas govt vaccine websites tonight...to better understand all the outrage we're hearing from listeners. Walk with me, #txlege. 1/9

Started by typing what most people would: “How do I get a COVID vaccine in Texas?” Seems simple enough. The top answer is @TexasDSHS ( state’s health agency) vaccine page: dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/im… So far, so good. 2/9

But like most govt agencies, there's a ton of text to wade through. Like who has this kind of time? I skim to the money grafs: 3/9

And it tells you to click to two other places. Let's click hub provider page. First, you notice only 53 of the state 254 counties have a hub. So I've got some Qs. What if I live in a smaller town or a county not listed? Do I have to drive to these places? No answer here. 4/9

I back out and go to the @TexasDSHS vaccine availability map. What fresh hell is this? tdem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappvie…. So I have to click on every dot to find out? Whut? 5/9

Now imagine you’re 75 years old. Or disabled. Or about to run out of minutes on your cell phone plan. Or have no internet. Or trying to hold down a job while calling for your elderly parents. Lordy, Texas, you can do better than this. #txlege 6/9

One place has done an amazing online messaging job. They ditched all the weedy text but they're not able to provide vaccines everywhere. However, their website game is solid. No surprise here. It's @HEB. vaccine.heb.com 7/9

Now, sure, it's not like Texas is going to hire away web designers of *this* century from @HEB. And of course, the website communication shouldn't be the only entry point. I'm not hearing radio ads, which would reach more people. I'm not seeing billboards with a 800-number. 8/9

So Texas, get busy. This is godawful. 9/9

One postscript. Better messaging on FB would also help. This vaccine info vacuum is producing some of the most panicky messages on neighborhood FB pages because the @TexasDSHS FB page sends you back to the dense website. facebook.com/TexasDSHS

Again. Eight months to come up with this current vaccine messaging system in a state with one of the largest social service bureacracies in the country.

Here's my lousy two cents. Tell people what to do in no more than 3 steps. Eliminate confusing language. Should people call/register for both hub/private providers? Then say that. Use big graphics vs all this text. Gimme some flow charts, better FAQs in BOLD in a colored block.

If a grocery store chain can tell you want to do in less than 200 words, surely the state of Texas can too.