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.
Arturo Cecena, Tarzana / Palmdale
My parents wanted the vaccine way before they had COVID-19.
My mother is a retired cafeteria worker and my dad is a mechanic. They were both really scared and careful in not letting anyone in their home, fearing they were going to get the virus. But after a visit from my sister and brother-in-law, they contracted it and we had the scare of my father being admitted to the hospital.
He ended up getting pneumonia in both lungs. After staying in the hospital for four days, he returned home with an oxygen tank that he now has to carry everywhere.
Thankfully my mother now has an appointment with Kaiser Permanente for March 11 to get her first dose of the vaccine.
But my father still has to wait to get his because he is on medication and using that oxygen tank 24 hours a day. We are not sure when he will stop using the tank, and we are not sure when he will be able to receive his first dose of the vaccine. I hope he is able to receive his first dose soon so he does not get the virus again, because we don’t know if his body is strong enough for a second infection.
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