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Vaccine Talks: For My Grandmother, It’s Like Polio All Over Again
Barbara Rohde, Blake Williams' grandmother, gets a COVID-19 vaccine in a parking lot at California State University, Northridge, March 10, 2021. (Photo by Blake Williams)
This is part of a series of conversations that Cal State Northridge students had with loved ones about COVID-19 vaccinations. Planning your own conversation with family or friends? Here are some tips .
Blake Williams, Reseda
My grandmother, Barbara Rohde, said the coronavirus has had a major effect on her life. She doesn't go out much besides to the occasional doctor visit and she still doesn't feel safe doing that.
She said she doesn't have many concerns about the vaccine but has been anxious to get it. She finally got it on March 10, which was delayed from when she was eligible to because of a medication she was on and then how difficult it is to make an appointment.
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She feels people who do not want to get the vaccine are selfish and putting other people in danger. It reminds her of people not wanting to get the polio vaccine when that was first made available because she lived through that and knows how effective vaccines are.
After getting the vaccine, she said she feels wonderful and was thankful for how well-organized the process was.
"I'm thrilled to have gotten it," she told me. "I had to wait a while because of my health. And I just feel like if everybody went out and did this as soon as they could, we'd be a lot better off and be out of this horrible disease."
READ THE REST OF OUR 'VACCINE TALKS' SERIES:
- Getting My Father Vaccinated Before He Gets COVID-19 Again
- When Will My Teen Brother, A Cancer Survivor, Be Protected?
- My Mom Is Diabetic, Cleans Offices And Is Not Eligible Yet For The Vaccine. Or Is She?
- Convincing My Grandparents That Bill Gates Did Not Want To Microchip Them
- My Mom Is A Teacher, But She Did Not Want To Be First To Get Vaccinated
- My Grandmother Surprised Me On The Vaccine
- When Your Dad Supports The Vaccine And Your Mom Thinks It’s Dangerous
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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