Thread by @raylai_markham

Personal experience thread on COVID appointments. I am beyond frustrated, and @Fordnation's lack of planning and communications ineptitude is now affected my personal life.

From a person who has book thousands of people.

Please unroll. /1

Myself and a band of volunteers started markhamvaccinates.com late February when we realized that asking seniors to navigate an online system to book their appointments is going to be painful. /2

The BIGGEST problem we have now is "Policy by Press Conference", with absolutely NO tangible information for anyone to look up online. This leads people to jump to conclusions and get really excited at the prospect that they are next up in line. /3

The truth is, @fordnation sends out a list of postal codes, but no actual plan to vaccinate them. Everyone sees this list, and thinks that they can start booking.

They call ME. I have to do HIS JOB and help explain this confusing mess of a vaccination strategy. /4

I want to help. We've been helping seniors book appts since Mar 1. A regular citizen like myself has to explain to 40 ppl today calling, emailing, or messaging me ALL DAY . This is evidence that this "priority group" communication is an utter failure by our gov't. /5

Calls today:
📞People in these postal codes asking if their 18 yo's can get shot. (Ans: Have to be 50+ or 45+ in Markham)
📞Caregivers confused if they are eligible bc "Phase 2 has started"
📞Ppl SUPER confused why some sites are 50+ and others are 45+ (Ans: prov. vs. region) /6

I had one person YELL at me today because he thinks I'm responsible for the bad information from the gov't, and I should be sued. Great. /7

I'm just a #Markham resident trying to make a difference, but now I feel like I'm just doing @Fordnation's homework for him because him and his friend @PaulCalandra has been telling everyone it's their turn with no details at all. /8

Is it too much to ask:
👏Details👏 along👏 with👏 press 👏conferences? Like, how do people book? Where do they go? Who is eligible when? Have some answers for some real questions for people who are literally begging for them. /9

Is it too much to ask for a gov't to grow up and be adults?
👏Actually plan ahead of time
👏Release details when you announce things

It would lower everyone's anxiety, including my own.
/10

I love serving my community. I am honoured to have the opportunity.

I just don't want to have to be doing @fordnation's homework when I have my own homework to do. /11 <fin>