* Senate President Don Harmon today on the floor…
For the last I don’t know how many months on our visits to the Capitol, we have been protected by the team from SHIELD, testing us every few days to make sure that we are safe to be with our friends in the Capitol.
I will tell you that in more than a decade playing baseball, I have not expectorated in front of anybody on the planet as much as I did in front of these folks. And I also know that I was not the only one. They processed the saliva for hundreds of people a day, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
So as we wrap up the session and hopefully never trouble them again, I thought it was appropriate for us to thank them by inviting them over to the Senate gallery. So with us today are Kevin Mayer, Shawn McGee, Andy Ellis, Yaa Kwakye, Sue Lee, Natasha Roy and Elizabeth Badmus. I want to thank you and I’m sure the entire Senate wants to join me in thanking you for your service. [Applause.]
I’d like to add my thanks as well. They were always courteous, friendly and helpful. I never heard any of them complain about anything.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Apr 8, 22 @ 4:19 pm:
The access to cutting edge technology to protect ourselves, our co-workers, our family and friends was too easily taken for granted as the days and weeks and months went by. Major “Thank You” to the SHIELD people for helping keep all of us safe and always being friendly and helpful and patient in doing it.
- SAP - Friday, Apr 8, 22 @ 4:22 pm:
Now that’s a Spit-Take
- Norseman - Friday, Apr 8, 22 @ 4:24 pm:
SAP beat a ton of people to that “take.”
- Ugh - Friday, Apr 8, 22 @ 4:25 pm:
Just realizing that the disgusting habit of spitting on the ground has given some an advantage of filling that vial. I don’t have those “skills” and took me forever. Also yes, thanks SHIELD workers and scientists!
- Barton Lorimor - Friday, Apr 8, 22 @ 4:28 pm:
Our family has appreciated having weekly SHIELD tests in Springfield Public Schools. They prevented quite a few outbreaks. Thank you!
- Facts Matter - Friday, Apr 8, 22 @ 5:00 pm:
I would also thank the lady at the north entrance who is responsible for checking vaccination results and affixing wristbands. On more than one occasion I’ve watch her patiently explain to someone who had a rapid test result that wasn’t accepted that they weren’t eligible for the wristbands.
While I’m at it - thanks to the guards tasked with checking wristbands at the entrances to the Senate hearing rooms. They also had a thankless assignment.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Apr 8, 22 @ 7:28 pm:
Amen “Facts Matter.”
If all of state government worked as clearly and efficiently as she does we’d be the envy of the world.
- Been There - Friday, Apr 8, 22 @ 10:20 pm:
As noted the Sheild employees were great. Always polite and a pleasure to talk to.
It was also always interesting to run into people you knew while they were on their way in. And they mumble “can’t talk, have a mouthful”.