WDW Cast Members Ask For Vaccine Priority
Disney World Employees seek access to vaccines…
Photo: Matt Stroshane
For many, Walt Disney World remains a great escape.
However, as the largest single-site employer in the United States, a whole lot of folks call WDW “work.”
As such, many of those fina folks are now asking for priority as vaccinations continue dissemination throughout Florida.
Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations at @OCCC has been expanded to include FL residents 40+ starting Monday, March 22, 2021 at 9 a.m. Info: https://t.co/Jn3KpoVD73
APPOINTMENTS FOR THIS GROUP WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MONDAY. pic.twitter.com/TCjeClR94e
— Orange County FL (@OrangeCoFL) March 18, 2021
Unite Here Asks For Vaccines
Unite Here 362 spoke out to the Orlando Sentinel’s Gabrielle Russon on Friday, March 19.
Unite 362 logo. Image: Twitter.
Starting Monday, anyone 40 and older can get the vaccine at the Orange County Convention Center, which is already inoculating people in certain professions, including firefighters, teachers, and law enforcement officials, regardless of their ages. Disney World union leaders argued theme park workers need to be added to that list, too.
If tourism is essential to Florida’s economy, then tourism workers are essential and deserve to be a priority, said Eric Clinton, who leads 362.
“When you load an attraction, you are in close quarters with guests checking safety restraints or a child’s height requirement, requiring you to be in close capacity. When you’re a custodial worker in the theme park, you’re cleaning those restrooms with guests inside,” Clinton said
If tourism is essential to Florida, why aren't the tourism workers @GovRonDeSantis? We need #OurShot!
Expand access for vaccines to Hospitality Workers! #1u #unitehere pic.twitter.com/34tAUc8OFc
— UNITE HERE! Local 362 (@UNITEHERE362) March 20, 2021
Family First
Meanwhile, WMFE — 90.7 in Central Florida — also quoted Clinton, who said:
There will be workers that will tell you that look I’m able to see thousands of tourists every single day, but I can’t go see my new nephew or my new grandson or hug my parents or my grandmother. These are things that our members need to be able to do as well.”
Orange County mayor Jerry Demings says starting Monday the age to receive vaccines at the Orange County Convention Center site will be lowered to 40 and up. https://t.co/oAWPRqS1gz
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) March 18, 2021
Who Goes Where?
The Official Orange County website laid out the rules of availability:
Image: OCFL.net.
Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations at the Drive-Thru Vaccination Site at the Orange County Convention Center has been expanded to include residents 40 years old or older starting Monday, March 22, 2021, at 9 a.m.
Right now, anyone meeting the following requirements can register for an appointment at the Convention Center from March 22 through March 27.
- Residents 60+ (residents 40-59 can register for appointments beginning Monday, March 22, 2021)
- Long-term care facility residents and staff (any age)
- Health care professionals with direct patient contact (any age)
- All educators and staff in schools/colleges/licensed day cares (any age)
- Law enforcement officers, corrections, firefighters and staff at those agencies (any age)
- Extremely medically vulnerable/high-risk
- Resident must bring required state form signed by a physician. Residents who are un/under-insured may visit a Primary Care Access Clinic to see a physician.
To book an appointment, or to find other vaccination options in the County, visit ocfl.net/Vaccine.
Best wishes to Cast Members looking to ensure their own health and safety even as they look after guests’ wellbeing.
