Smithsonian Added This Pandemic Artifact to Their Archives

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

March 10th, 2021 12:39 PM

The Smithsonian is home to a variety of artifacts, and now it’s the home of a very important part of recent history pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic.

Per the Associated Press (AP), The Smithsonian has acquired the vial that held the first COVID-19 vaccine dose that was administered in the United States. In addition to the vial, other materials related to the dose, including “…shipping equipment and the medical scrubs and ID badge of the New York City nurse who was America’s first coronavirus vaccine recipient,” were also obtained by the museum.

The AP notes, “The first dose of vaccine in the U.S. was given on Dec. 14, 2020, by Northwell Health, a New York-based health provider, to Sandra Lindsay, an intensive care nurse.”

Smithsonian director Anthea M. Hartig said in a statement, “We wanted objects that would tell the full story. Everything from the scrubs to the freezer unit that shipped the vaccines.”

The AP adds, “Although there are a host of coronavirus-related anniversaries taking place, the museum is choosing to mark Thursday – March 11, the day last year that the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. That’s also the week that much of American life shut down as the virus made inroads into offices, homes and sporting events.”

While the nation is approaching the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, there has been some promising news as of late. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals that included being able to gather with another household without having to wear masks. This news from the CDC came about a week after President Joe Biden announced there will be enough COVID-19 vaccine doses for every adult by the end of May.

8 Changes Likely to be Made at Concerts During COVID-19

• Musicians on stage may have to abide by social distancing rules.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "The authoritative guidance requiring not less than six feet (two meters) of social distance may have to be expanded for singers and musical instrument players. Musicians often breathe deeply and expel aerosols further than people engaged in non-physical activities. Their performance space, including on stage and in orchestra pits, should be arranged to maximize social distancing while allowing at least some of them to perform together."  

• Getting a drink will be even more of a process.

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  In addition to there being a recommended worker for just ringing up drink orders, "At a self-service restaurant or concession stand, the number of counter staff should be limited consistent with social distancing. Workers should place food and beverages on the table, counter, or other surface rather than handing purchases directly to patrons...Bartenders should model safe behavior by wearing a face covering and gloves when they are behind the bar...Patrons should hold their own identification for bartender inspection. If a worker must handle a patron’s ID, the worker should then dispose of their gloves and wash their hands before resuming service."

• If there’s an intermission, people won’t be dismissed all at once.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "Intermission presents the same social distancing challenges as ingress [entering a venue] and egress [exiting a venue], with the distinction that some patrons will remain seated. For everyone who chooses to get up, they will have to be led out from back to front, and patrons will not be allowed to congregate inside or outside restrooms or near lobby concession stands. Even with fewer people attending events during the early phase of reopening, intermission may have to be longer than before to allow time for socially distanced patron movement. Given these issues, including how to let some people out of a row while others remain seated, the path of least resistance may simply be shorter shows with no intermission."
• Any changes a venue makes needs to be very visible to the public.

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  If a venue makes any changes to policies related to how they handle health and safety issues, they are advised to make them as clear as possible and list them basically everywhere including on their website, social media channels, various ticket purchasing sites, emails/push notifications, their mobile app and signage in their venue. In other words: Get ready for A LOT of updates.

• Restrooms will likely have strict person limits.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "Workers should limit occupancy of restrooms to ensure social distancing. Unless portable restroom facilities are added, this will likely result in patrons waiting outside the restroom doors. The area where they are waiting will require monitoring to preserve (a) appropriate space between patrons and (b) an easily discernible line to avoid conflict about where the line begins. 

• Socially-Distanced Smoking Areas.

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  It's recommended that "... even hallways and smoking areas where patrons congregate will have to be monitored to enforce health policies."
• No Merch Tables/Stands.

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  Instead of buying an artist's t-shirt at a merch stand/booth, it's recommended that "...items for sale can be posted on a web site or event app that allows for mobile ordering and on-site pickup." If there is a merch table/booth present, "Mark merchandise sales lines on floor, with barricade, or rope and stanchion, patrolled by guest services workers to provide information and enforce social distancing." It's also recommended there be no trying on of merch and to have contactless payment.

• No Moshing/Crowd Surfing.

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  Per the Event Safty Alliance's (ESA) 'Reopening Guide for Event Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic,' "Patrons cannot all stand at the front of the stage like they are accustomed; moshing and crowd surfing are violations of social distancing per se and must be absolutely prohibited during this pandemic."

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Coronavirus
• Human Interest

Tags:

Coronavirus,COVID-19 Vaccine,The Smithsonian