The convention center, which early in the pandemic served as a temporary field hospital, has been converted into a massive vaccination site. Pianist Barbara Podgurski said her recent performances at the vaccination site were her first in public since the pandemic battered the city last spring. The musicians who perform at the Javits Center are paid to play. But after the pandemic hit, "within two weeks, all of my coming year bookings were canceled.”Reflecting on playing at a vaccination center, Kresek said, “Emotionally, I felt I was contributing to this massive effort. AdDr. Azmatullah Hussaini, a medical contractor at Javits, said he thought it helped put people nervous about their shots at ease.