Echoes of the Pandemic: Forsyth Health Director Joshua Swift on mobilizing a community

In 2021, Forsyth County opened a COVID-19 mass vaccination site at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. 

During the months it was open, nearly 100,000 people received their shots in a tightly run operation staffed largely by the National Guard. At the helm of it all was the county’s Public Health Director Joshua Swift, easily recognizable in his signature bowtie. In this installment of Echoes of the Pandemic, he looks back on the need for dexterity in a complicated time.

Interview highlights: 

On the arrival of virus in Forsyth County: 

“It wasn't a shock. It wasn't a surprise. We knew it was coming. I think the biggest thing is it was a sort of like seeing with a lantern versus a flashlight.”

On the early vaccination campaign: 

“We really had to pivot very quickly. Early on, when the vaccine rolled out, we couldn't do much long-range planning. We would find out literally on a Thursday how much vaccine we would get for the next Monday. And so we had to plan ahead because we surely didn't want to say that we're going to vaccinate 2,000 people and only have 1,000 doses.”

On resilience: 

“There will always be that before COVID and then now after COVID, that delineation, but I think it's made me appreciate my family, my health, and also just appreciate this community for what they did during that time and how we pulled together.”

*Editor's note: This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.