Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Different reactions, from the highly emotional to peaceful calm, were in evidence as people rushed to get a booster shot yesterday morning causing over-crowding at two of the three vaccination sites — the Tafuna DYWA and the Samoana High School gym.

The third vaccination site at the Catholic Hall in Leone was quiet and peaceful, according to reports received by Samoa News yesterday morning.

Reports were of some people in a panic, fearful and hurrying to get their 3rd shot, while others were relaxed and calm, waiting patiently.

“Why are we panicking and fearful while our God is an awesome Father who will never leave us at any second in life,” Latu Sulufa’i said with a big smile on his face while standing in line outside of the SHS gym waiting for a chance to get his booster shot.

When Sulufa’i heard that the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases had increased to more than 100, he laughed and said, “I hope someone is not playing with those numbers. The number of confirmed cases is climbing up while there are no hospitalizations or deaths.”

According to Sulufa’i, “The answer is very simple, get your vaccination and do your part by staying at home and wearing a mask.”

Reports from the vaccination site at the DYWA in Tafuna revealed that the parking lot was packed with people before 7am and by the time the door was opened, the line was all the way to the Office of the Motor Vehicles (OMV) field.

Additional police officers were called to assist with the situation because the security working at the front and back doors were unable to control the pressure from people wanting to get inside for their 3rd shot.

People were complaining saying it was the police officers who were making it hard and slow to get a vaccination.

A senior police officer who was at the scene told Samoa News that there were a few people who didn’t want to listen and comply with their instructions.

“We understand the frustration and how panicked our people are but also they need to understand that we’re also concerned for our safety and the safety of everyone including our families and children. So, we need to work together to make all things go smoothly to protect our community by following our instructions instead of pointing fingers at us,” the senior officer said.

Meanwhile people were yelling and demanding a chance to enter the gate to be vaccinated.

A couple were not happy after the security at the main gate told them to use the back gate as it was too crowded inside.

“Why are you denying us from getting inside to get our vaccines,” the husband said to the security gate in a loud voice. “This is ridiculous and we’re here to get our vaccinations — not to stand outside in the sun.”

The security respectfully explained to the couple that as a humble servant he was just doing his job by informing members of the community to use the back gate for safety reasons. The couple then left and went back to their vehicle.

As Samoa News interviewed a few of the people standing in line, one woman voiced her concern over the increasing numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases since the Feb. 22 lockdown.

“What is the Department of Health doing to stop the community spread of the virus? The vaccine does not stop the infection spread. It will continue to spread until we reach the next level and that’s when everyone will feel the impact of this pandemic,” the woman said.

When asked for his thoughts, Talifilemu Opeta said that people should stop panicking and just stay home and follow the restrictions put forth by the leaders.

“We should be thankful people are getting tested and that there are no hospitalizations or deaths yet. God’s hand is at work here and we are able to survive the strain of the virus that is here on island,” Opeta said.

With the need to prepare for what the future might bring, Opeta advised people should start stocking up their food pantries and household necessities because maybe in the very near future we might have a complete shutdown of stores and other services people need.

“We never know,” he said, “It’s how we handle the current situation that will determine how we might handle a more severe situation.”

Fifty-two-year-old Faamanu Unasa said to blame ourselves for the increasing numbers of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the community.

“I don’t blame anybody, I blame myself,” Unasa said.

“Look around, cases are still rising because people are still traveling around town and riding on buses and cars without any good reason. The government needs to shut down all non-essential businesses that are still operating despite the Governor’s declaration.”

With the problem of over crowding and the rude attitudes of some people at the vaccinations sites, Unasa said the Department of Health (DoH) should take the vaccinations to homes.

“If this is the problem — of over-crowding at each vaccination site — DoH must take the vaccinations to homes or provide the COVID-19 test kit to each family.”

Theresa Seumanu, a mother of four from Nu’uuli said if it’s hard for the government to take the 3rd shots to homes, do it for just the elderly and special needs people by request.

“Everyone else, stand in the line for over two hours like I did today (Thursday). You have to sacrifice for the benefit of others. We must stop complaining and pointing fingers at each other but let’s work together to protect our nation by having your 3rd shot.”

Twenty-one-year-old Joseph Tavita expressed his disappointment over people who don’t follow the Code Red restrictions guidelines laid down by our leaders.

“We as adults, we must learn how to follow rules and regulations from our leaders. Despite who you are and what your position is, we, as a nation need to come together and protect our country from this deadly pandemic. Allow ourselves to trust our leaders and get used to the system they’re given us,” said Tavita.

“This pandemic is real, so we’re learning each day how to live with the virus that has brought panic and fear to our shores. We must learn to work with the government — not against them.”

Some people just went back home discouraged, while others stuck around  after being prevented from entering the Samoana High School compound by gate security yesterday morning due to over-crowding inside and outside the vaccination site at the gym. Some people were yelling at gate security to let them in to get their vaccination, while others were demanding additional vaccination sites around the island. [photo AF]

A woman who was standing outside of the back gate on the other side of the SHS gym expressed her disappointment after being prevented from entering the gate.

She was loud and said, “We have two people dead from the COVID-19 already and why are you blocking people from getting their shot?”

An off-duty senior police officer then pulled the woman off to the other side of the gate and explained to her that the rumors about two people dying from COVID-19 at the local hospital is false, and she should not believe it.

FALSE POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA

A false post about two people dying at the LBJ Medical Center from COVID-19 circulated on social media this week.

The false report stated, “Wow 2 Covid deaths in American Samoa already with 100+ cases. Prayers to the families and prayers to all in both Samoa.”

The post was circulated on Facebook and many people were asking whether the report is true and why the government is hiding this information from the public.

An official from the LBJ, who familiar with the situation, confirmed to Samoa News that the post is FALSE — there are no deaths from COVID-19 in the territory.

DOH RESPONSE TO HOME VACCINATIONS

DoH director, Motusa Tuileama Nua during the Task Force press conference this week stated that as of now, they’re accessing what is going on ‘right now’ on the ground.

“Going out to the community and families is a big challenge because we have to maintain the temperature of our vaccine,” Motusa said.

Motusa said, “Due to our limited staff, we have to look at the general population and make sure that we maintain those sites that are designated for that service (vaccinations).”

He stressed that they understand that there is a very high number of the population who still need the booster shot and they (the population) are coming in — in droves. So DoH is working to make sure they have enough vaccine on hand.