Some Florida seniors are so desperate for coronavirus vaccinations that they camped in line overnight for the first-come-first-served shots, according to reports from Wednesday.
The sidewalk next to the Lakes Regional Library in Fort Myers was more like an outside hot Broadway show – as dozens of elderly people sat in folding chairs with blankets to get the life-saving jabs Tuesday, according to WINK News.
“This is worth it,” said 80-year-old Aaron Stern, who said he had never camped for concert tickets or Black Friday deals. “The chance to feel safe again and be able to go out is great.”
Other seniors in the state – where Governor Ron DeSantis recently issued a warrant allowing people 65 and older to be vaccinated – said they were willing to brave long lines after seeing friends die from the virus.
‘I’m scared, that’s why, and I want to [feel] free, ”senior Frank Mihalik told the outlet why he had come.
Other geriatric line sitters – who brought snacks, coolers, and sleeping bags – said they were desperate for vaccination because they miss seeing family members and are tired of being stuck at home.
Senior Judy Morris said, “I haven’t seen my kids in about a year … [I’ll do] no matter what.”
Outside of Estero Park and Rec Center in Cape Coral, the number of seniors waiting for admission exceeded capacity by Tuesday afternoon – two hours before the clinic was scheduled to start dispensing vaccinations, according to USA Today.
DeSantis issued an executive order on Saturday that ignored the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine priority by giving seniors the chance to get the photos for key workers.
The warrant caused long lines in some locations in Lee County, prompting the sheriff’s office to issue a traffic alert due to the crowds, the paper reported.