The freezers are switched on and the hospital is now waiting for the first delivery of the vaccine to arrive.

- It is a light in the dark and soon we can vaccinate 1500 people every day, says Lotta Siegel.

Next to the hospital, cars roll in under some pale tarpaulins.

Mass testing is underway in the parking lot.

Prepares the vaccinations

Accustomed and with quick steps, Lotta takes us around the hospital area.

She shows the small flower garden where the staff ties small white ribbons for each patient they have rescued.

Many employees feel bad - exhausted and sad.

- There is a constant concern about what will happen in the future, says Lotta Siegel.

The curves point straight up

In a state so deeply dependent on tourism, the situation is chaotic on several levels.

December is usually an important month for Florida hotels and restaurants.

Now the outdoor cafes are empty.

South Florida was hit by the first wave in April, the second hit in July and now there is uncertainty about the serious situation the state and the country are in. Most curves point straight up.

- We will not see an effect of vaccination until late this spring.

But we are extremely proud that we have been selected to start this important work, which will mean a lot in the long run, says hospital director Maggie Hansen, who is responsible for 2,000 care places and 14,000 employees.

The concern also revolves around the fact that the United States has not yet seen the full consequence of the celebration of the big holiday Thanksgiving.

Despite the advice, many families gathered around the dinner tables and in a few weeks the next ordeal will come: the Christmas weekend.

The staff writes a will

The chaos from the second wave of infection has turned into a protracted, unsustainable everyday life with infinitely long work shifts.

Many employees at the hospital have chosen to write their wills because their jobs are so vulnerable.

Lotta herself has been ill, but only mildly.

- I did well, but everything I see here gets stuck.

It is impossible to forget the names of those I have seen disappear.

My most important task now will be to vaccinate those in the risk groups.

It will save many lives, says Lotta Siegel.