||| FROM JANET ALDERTON |||
The closest locations to access Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that must be taken within 5 days of the development of covid-19 symptoms, are Mount Vernon and Burlington.
Why are the therapeutics not available in San Juan County? Taking a ferry and chasing down the medication on the mainland when infected and suffering from covid-19 is not trivial.
Here is a fabulous website that tracks early covid medication availability:
A few weeks ago, the WA DOH covid therapeutics locator website listed Shaw Island as having early treatment medications available, but the address was a hospital in Puerto Rico (There is no medical clinic or pharmacy on Shaw Island as far as I know):
HOSPITAL DEL CENTRO COMPRENSIVO DE CANCER PR 21 INT PR 18 BO MONACILLOS URBANO, SAN JUAN
Since San Juan County’s demographics are older than the state average, we are at higher risk of adverse outcomes. And our income disparities are among the highest in Washington State. For people working in a low-paying job, taking a ferry to the mainland is an especially high burden.
Please facilitate making the early treatments available at our local medical facilities and pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription.
Thank-you for your attention.
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