- A photo circulated online last week showing COVID-19 patients lying on the floor while waiting for monoclonal antibody treatment at a Florida library.
- Officials said they did not have enough wheelchairs to help all waiting patients, but have now increased their supply.
- The library has since put up signs that say: “Please do not sit or lay on the floor. If you require immediate medical attention, please alert a staff member.”
A photo showing COVID-19 patients lying on the floor of a Florida library while awaiting antibody treatment trended online last week, and now the library is asking people to not sit on the ground.
The photo, taken by Louie Lopez at the main public library in Jacksonville, Florida, last week showed two people lying on the floor outside of the monoclonal antibody treatment room.
Lopez told Jacksonville.com that there were only a couple chairs available, and said staff didn’t immediately tend to people who were lying down, “sick and moaning.”
—Travis Akers (@travisakers) August 19, 2021
After the photo trended online, staff put up signs that said: “Please do not sit or lay on the floor. If you require immediate medical attention, please alert a staff member.”
Nikki Kimbleton, director of communications/public affairs for Jacksonville, told First Coast News that the volume of patients increased last week and the center didn’t have enough wheelchairs to assist all of the sick patients.
She told the outlet the city is now “providing triple the number of wheelchairs, additional seating for those waiting in line and signage that directs patients to alert someone if they need any type of assistance.”
The library is hosting a state-run and city-supported monoclonal antibody treatment center to treat patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The treatment has shown to be effective against the virus, but it can not be used as a replacement for a vaccine.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been a big advocate for Regeneron — one of the antibody treatments — in recent weeks, but has faced criticism after it was revealed one of his top donors was an investor in the treatment, WFLA reported.
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