InTucker Magazine

Vaccine Scene -May 2021

Tucker Turns Out to Roll Up Its Sleeves

Eighteen-year-old Victoria Smash is at a stage in life where her social calendar should be fairly full. Between friends and prom and all the other demands of senior year, she should be in a constant state of busyness. But, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tucker High School senior has led a relatively sheltered existence over these past 14 months, laying low at home and taking her classes virtually.

Victoria had no choice in the matter. She’s not just taking care of herself, but looking out for others, as well. One family member has severe asthma. Another is recovering from open-heart surgery. Her mother is a diabetic. And during the past year, the whole family was reminded of the seriousness of COVID as the virus claimed the life of Victoria’s beloved great-grandmother.

“It’s been rough,” Victoria said. “I honestly never got to have my senior year in person. I’m still doing virtual learning and am just now starting to leave the house.”

Victoria was one of dozens of people who came out to Tucker Recreation Center on April 20 to receive the Moderna COVID vaccine. Before she attends Georgia State University, Victoria said she wanted to be ready to live safely on campus. 

“I’m going to college this fall and I’ll be [living in the dormitories],” she explained. “I need to reduce the risk to my friends and family of COVID. I need the peace of mind for myself and my friends.”

Bridget Curren got vaccinated at that same April 20 event. A second year anatomy and environmental science teacher at Tucker High, Curren was thinking more of others than of herself when she got the shot.

“I’m still going to be careful, but it makes me feel less nervous,” she said, adding her hope that as many people who feel comfortable getting vaccinated will do so. “It’s super important being vaccinated because we have a lot of at-risk families at our school. You know, maybe I don’t get sick but a student does and they take the virus home to their families.”

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 85 million Americans are fully vaccinated. That’s good news, but it falls far short of where the nation – and the world – needs to be for herd immunity to be achieved. 

Local pharmacist Jon Carr was the inspiration behind the April 20 vaccine giveaway. He says he applied several months ago to receive vaccines and has since gotten a steady supply. Carr, who says he’s only had one flu shot in his entire life, says getting vaccinated against coronavirus was a no-brainer.

“I took this because I’ve seen some of my friends get really sick from [COVID],” Carr said. “I do believe that in our community we have more vaccine than we have people willing to take it.”

Tucker resident Alisha Etheredge waited to get vaccinated until after her baby was born earlier this year. She got her first Moderna shot on April 20 and, in so doing, expressed her hope that friends and neighbors would follow suit.

“Even though I’m vaccinated, you’re not protected,” she said. “In order to get back to the life that we enjoy, go get vaccinated.”

Justin Bradford has his own reasons for hoping people get the vaccine. At 32, Bradford waited to get his shot until older or less healthy people had their turn. The pitmaster at Ford’s BBQ on Main Street, Bradford says the pandemic continues to have an impact on his business. 

“We’ve had staffing issues,” Bradford shared, adding that it’s an industry-wide problem. “We’re barely getting by because it’s hard to find staff during the pandemic.”

Carr and the City of Tucker are partnering on another vaccine event scheduled for May 18 at Tucker Recreation Center. Many of the people who got their first shots on April 20 will be back to be fully vaccinated, while many others will be able to come and get their first shot. 

Victoria Smash said she’s “thankful” to get that second vaccine later this month, adding that she already has big plans for her newfound immunity.

“I’m going to go on vacation before I start my studies,” she said.

Vacations. Just another sign of the “normal” that many will be looking for as society prepares to turn the corner on this pandemic.