Lake County Gazette

Lake County residents will soon see vaccine canvassers at their doors.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center sent out a notice that canvassers are taking part in an information campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccination.

The move comes following reports of a Biden administration move to send door-to-door teams out in a pro-vaccination campaign.

“Yes, the door-to-door thing is really happening. 'Ignore the no soliciting signs! You’re not soliciting, you’re begging,'” Alex Berenson said on Twitter posting images of Lake County’s canvasser script.

Conservatives argue the move could be an effort to target more than the unvaccinated.

“Think about the mechanisms they would have to build to be able to actually execute that massive of a thing,” U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) said, according to the New York Post. “And then think about what those mechanisms could be used for. They could then go door-to-door and take your guns, they could go door-to-door and take your Bibles.”

The script provided to canvassers by Lake County officials is meant to get past barriers with residents even if that means crossing lines. 

“Ignore no soliciting signs. You're not soliciting! You're offering critical information and resources. What you are doing is not illegal,” the memo reads.

The memo further details a back-and-forth conversation between a property manager and a “health ambassador” sent by Lake County officials.

Officials told canvassers to always stay on script.

“Use your script. This will give you the basics. Once you get comfortable with it, feel free to make it sound more like you as long as all the key information is there,” the memo reads.

The governors of Missouri and South Carolina have banned the vaccine canvassers.

See a partial script of the memo below to Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center's canvassers. Click here to see the entire script:

Community Health Ambassador Outreach Door Knocking Project to Increase COVID Vaccine Acceptance

Helpful Hints

If you're nervous, that's ok! We all still get nervous, even if we've done this before.

You don't need to have all the answers. If you are unsure of an answer, be honest. Tell the person asking that you are a volunteer, and you will take down their question so that a health department staff person can get them the correct answer. Or, if they prefer to call themselves, they can always call 847-377-8130. We have special hours for seniors every week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12-3 pm and Thursdays from 6-8 pm.

Inform, don’t convince. Your job is to equip the person at the door with the information/resources they need to make an informed decision about their health. You are not trying to convince anyone to do something they don’t want to do. - Review the talking points for FAQs and feel free to bring it with you to help with answering questions. (English / Spanish / Korean) - Print and share the COVID-19 Vaccine Information Flyer (English / Spanish)

Ignore no soliciting signs. You're not soliciting! You're offering critical information and resources. What you are doing is not illegal.

Knock and then back up. Follow COVID-19 distancing protocols and speak clearly. If someone is uncomfortable with you being there in person, offer to give them more distance or leave them a flyer.

Use your script. This will give you the basics. Once you get comfortable with it, feel free to make it sound more like you as long as all the key information is there. Make clear up front that the building has let you in and you're from the health department.

Leave a flyer even if they're already vaccinated. They may want to share it with a friend or neighbor. Do NOT leave anything in a mailbox, that is illegal if you're not a mail carrier.

Attitude of a golden retriever, memory of a goldfish. If someone is angry or rude, try to not take it personally. They may just be having a bad day. Brush it off and on to the next door!

Report on your work! Be sure to fill out the Doorknocking Spreadsheet with the counts of who still needs a vaccine, who is already vaccinated, who needs more info, etc. This is important information that the Health Department is relying on!

Have fun! This is an amazing thing you're doing. Regardless of how people respond, have confidence that you are making a difference and helping to save lives.