Some Florida seniors are so desperate to get vaccinated against coronavirus that they spent a night in camp at the queue for the first-come, first-served shots, according to Wednesday’s reports.
The sidewalk near Lakes Regional Library in Fort Myers looked more like one outside of a hot Broadway show – while dozens of elderly people sat in folding chairs with blankets for rescue on Tuesday, according to WINK News.
“It’s worth it,” said Aaron Stern, 80, who said he never camped for concert tickets or Black Friday deals. “The opportunity to feel safe again and to be able to go out is wonderful.”
Other seniors in the state – where Governor Ron DeSantis recently issued an order allowing people aged 65 and over to be vaccinated – said they were willing to face long queues after seeing their friends die of the virus.
“I am afraid, that’s why I want to [feel] free “, said senior Frank Mihalik where he came from.
Other geriatric siters – who brought snacks, coolers and sleeping bags – said they were desperate for vaccination because they missed seeing family members and were sick of being stuck at home.
Senior Judy Morris said: “I haven’t seen my children in about a year … [I’ll do] everything that is needed. “
Outside the Cape Coral Estero Park and Rec Center, the number of elderly people waiting for shots exceeded capacity by noon on Tuesday – two hours before the clinic was scheduled to begin vaccinations, according to USA Today.
DeSantis issued an executive order on Saturday that ignored the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the priority of the COVID-19 vaccine, leaving the elderly to receive fire in front of essential workers.
The order drew long lines at some sites in Lee County, prompting the sheriff’s office to send a traffic alert due to congestion, the newspaper reported.