MONROE, La. -Seniors in Northeast Lousiana are one step closer to even more protection from Covid-19. KNOE visited a local assisted living facility to find out more about the distribution. “I feel so relieved to be protected from Covid-19, I was so excited to get the vaccine,” resident Bettye Mckinney happily stated.
The residents at the Gardens of Georgia Tucker Assisted Living Facility in Monroe were absolutely elated to receive their vaccines on Tuesday. They made sure to say it was quick, painless, and are already looking forward to their next round.
Due to the facility being on lockdown from a resident testing positive for Covid-19, employees escorted the seniors one by one into the great room where they received their vaccine.
Senior citizens like Bettye Mckinney were more than thankful the vaccines have arrived. “We’ve not been able to go anywhere for weeks. So we’ve all stayed in our apartments. They bring meals to us we don’t even come out to the dining room right now. So I’m looking forward to some freedom. “
Originally CVS was the pharmacy that was paired with the facility, however, Brookshire’s stepped in at the last minute to come to the aid of seniors.
A pharmacy manager from Brookshire’s on North 18th Street in Monroe arrived around noon to give the 18 residents their first round of vaccines.
At least three of the seniors at Georgia Tucker are over ninety years old so in addition to the vaccine residents and employees are still being extra cautious.
“We wear our masks, we practice social distancing up know everything that we can do to protect ourselves we do, ya know? Because we are the elder population,” resident Jerry Parks confidently added.
Seniors at Georgia Tucker say they are looking forward to the vaccine giving them more freedom, protection, and most importantly a fraction of their lives back.
“Easy so simple and I didn’t feel anything when he gave me the shot he was really good. But how did I feel about it? We have all been anxiously awaiting the shot, the vaccine. All of us have been scared because were older and we have taken all precautions,” Parks said.
The Brookshire’s pharmacy will return to the gardens of Georgia Tucker around February 4th to administer the second doses to some very eager residents.
