What: former department store spaces turn into vaccines centres

Why it is important: Vacant retail spaces have emerged as anchors of public-health infrastructures in the U.S. since coronavirus outbreak.

US department chain Sear went bankrupt a few years ago, before the pandemic, and left many of empty locations behind itself. The vast floor plans give enough space for workers and vaccine recipients to adhere to social-distancing guidelines.

Earlier during the outbreak, health officials were looking for easy-to-access locations with large parking lots to set up tents as testing centres. Vacant department stores spaces, and even struggling or closed malls where used to that end. John Turner, vice president of Cayuga Health System, said: “with all the retail gone you’ve got this big open area. You’re able to actually bring people through.”

The Florida Department of Health operates a drive-through vaccine clinic in the parking lot of a former Sears at the Gulf View Square Mall. “It was vacant at the time we needed it, and the logistics of parking and a place to have staff out of the weather made it a great location,” a county spokeswoman said.

To be able to use these empty spaces to try and stop the pandemic is the only silver lining of the tragic outcome that forced many retailers to liquidate.

Finally, a Use for the Old Sears: Covid-19 Vaccine Center

Related item:

• IADS insights - SEARS: a victim of old age, mismanagement or evolution?