Maestro Arthur Arnold is encouraging people to volunteer for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic that is being operated at the Powell River Recreation Complex.
Arnold, artistic director of the Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA) and music director of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, is volunteering at the clinic in a couple of ways. He is playing his cello outside on a daily basis during April and is also volunteering for shifts to help inside, so on those days, he won’t be playing.
Arnold said it is important to get volunteers to sign up for this extraordinary event and mark the importance of this historic moment where the whole world is getting vaccinated.
“Looking at the need there is for volunteers, and the incredible organization it takes to vaccinate everybody, I like to be involved in whatever way I can to help this process,” said Arnold. “I’ll do whatever I need to do to help. I want to make others aware of the importance of helping by giving an example.”
Arthur said going to get vaccinated is a big moment for people. He said there are a lot of different emotions and feelings associated with getting vaccinated.
“On the one hand, you’ll be so happy that this is nearing the end,” said Arnold. “On the other hand, some people may be afraid of getting the needle in the arm. Or, people may have doubts about the long-term effects of it, so there will be a lot of emotions for the people in the lineup, from fear, to joy.”
For his part, Arnold said he thinks music helps to connect people. He said when he played at the clinic recently, people were so appreciative.
“There were a lot of people waiting,” said Arnold. “It’s a very special moment to feel those people gathering there and being there at the moment when people’s lives can slowly turn back to normal.”
Arnold said he saw a number of dedicated health-care professionals at the clinic, such retired doctors who have come back to help, and the atmosphere is amazing.
“It’s so upbeat and positive,” said Arnold. “There is this overall feeling of excitement that this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic. It’s palpable there. It’s a beautiful thing to be connected to.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can get an application form at prcomplexclinic.com/vaccines and email the completed form to Rocio.Andrews@vch.ca.
