For nursing homes that have weathered an outbreak, the COVID-19 vaccine injects a shot of hope, excitement and relief as the pandemic rages outside their doors.
At Homeview Health and Rehabilitation in Franklin, that feeling was palpable among residents and staff members Friday as they got their first doses of the shot that could eventually bring an end to the nearly year-long pandemic.
Nearly all of the 73 residents at Homeview — and about 20% of the staff — were vaccinated Friday, with appointments for their second shot Feb. 6, said Mark Gavorski, administrator.
“I don’t see any other answer or solution to this,” Gavorski said. “I’ve given my life to take care of seniors. I don’t want to see anymore get sick or die from it. I truly feel like this is going to be the answer.”
Homeview resident Norma Johnson, 90, of Franklin, got the shot to make sure she never has to do battle with the virus again. Johnson was ill will the virus for some time, but worse than that was losing her husband of 70 years to the virus.
Her husband, Virgil Johnson, 94, passed away on Thanksgiving. He had stood strong by her side through strokes and bouts with cancer, so she did the same for him as he fought for his life, she said.
“He was a World War II veteran. He said, ‘I survived that, but I can’t survive this,’” Johnson said.
Still, Johnson was grateful that Homeview took so many precautions to keep the virus at bay for so long, to avoid more losses like hers. Homeview saw its first case in mid-October, and has had about 50 residents test positive since then, but just one death, Gavorski said.
Laverne Manning, 71, of Brown County, was glad to get the vaccine to help protect her while she lives her remaining years to the fullest.
Manning hopes the shot will bring an end to the pandemic so she can see her family again soon, she said. Until then, she is doing her best to stay positive.
“You have to have a good attitude. There are times when you get down, but you have to get back up,” Manning said.
Johnson also hopes the vaccine will bring an end to the isolation they’re all experiencing. She talks to her daughter on the phone everyday and has window visits, but it’s just not the same, she said.
“You can see them through the glass but you can’t hug them and hold them. A mother wants to hug and hold her kids. That’s the worst part of it,” Johnson said.
Gavorski was hopeful more staff would take the vaccine. But he is optimistic more will once they have additional proof the benefits outweigh the risks, he said.
Staff who did get the vaccine took the vaccine to protect residents and their families.
Bill Davis, Homeview’s maintenance director, got the shot to protect his 82-year-old mother, who he cares for at home. He was hesitant about the vaccine, but determined it is ultimately riskier to skip it than take it.
“I’m glad I got it. Now I want the second dose to get it over with,” Davis said. “I want to be part of the solution, not the problem.”
