My appointment was scheduled for 11:40 a.m., so I arrived 10 minutes before the appointment — the confirmation email said I was not allowed to arrive more than 5 minutes before. Turns out, it didn't matter what time I arrived because the line was so long.
I knew it would be a long line, but I didn't expect it to be two blocks long with no end in sight. As I walked farther down the line, I still couldn't see the end. It kept stretching past the school building, past the track and field, and past the school's property. I had a sinking feeling that this wouldn't be a simple and quick process either.
When I finally reached the end of the line, the woman in front of me said her job only gave her two hours to get the vaccine, so she hoped the line would go fast. The man in front of her said he worked for the MTA and that he was only paid for 2 hours to get the vaccine.
Luckily, I had the day off work, but not everyone will be able to take time off. I also couldn't imagine how much longer the line could get once more people become eligible. By then, two hours won't be enough — it'll be an all-day event.
While waiting in line, vaccination site workers approached us one by one with iPads to check us in. They asked me for my appointment confirmation number and then asked me the same series of questions I've been answering throughout the process.
Once I was checked in, I asked how long the wait would be. They told me about an hour.