More Than Half of States Widen Access to Covid-19 Vaccine – The New York Times

Still, for those who succeeded in getting a shot, the shifting vaccination plans were thrilling a first step, some said, toward getting back to normal life. Maureen Kelly, 73, of Lawrenceville, Ga., walked into her local public health department on Monday and received her first dose within 30 minutes.

It was like clockwork, she said. Ms. Kelly posted her news on social media and was immediately flooded with messages and calls from friends asking how she had done it. The need is great out there, she said.

Her husband,who is 75, still has no appointment. The website froze amid all the people trying to register at once. By the time Ms. Kelly refreshed the page, all the slots were full.

In Cumming, Ga., Vicki Johnson has found the past year to be a frightening and isolating one.

On her granddaughters birthday in November, Ms. Johnson, 72, and her relatives sat at tables spaced six feet apart in the garage, with the door open despite the cold.

I couldnt hug her, Ms. Johnson said. We didnt share food. We each brought our own sandwich. It was just surreal.

The prospect of getting the shot soon has left her thinking about returning to church and hugging her friends again.

As an older person, I dont mean to be maudlin, but you do hear the clock ticking, she said. She swiftly signed up for a shot. Her appointment is next Tuesday.

Jill Cowan, Shawn Hubler, Sharon Otterman, Alison Saldanha, Alex Leeds Matthews, Barbara Harvey, Kristine White, Alex Lemonides, Jordan Allen, Benjamin Guggenheim, Natasha Rodriguez, Cierra S. Queen, Brandon Dupr, Laney Pope and Lauryn Higgins contributed reporting.

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More Than Half of States Widen Access to Covid-19 Vaccine - The New York Times