ATHENS, Ala. — WZDX stopped by one Athens assisted living facility as they gave residents and staff their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Some residents tell our team, they're beginning to see a new ray of hope.
One Limestone Manor resident, Kathleen Wales, says, “Well, I think we’ll feel freer to do a few things since we have the shots.
Sisters, Kathleen Wales and Ruth Lawson, both got their second doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Friday at Limestone Manor Assisted Living Facility in Athens. Wales says, “I’m just sorry for the occasion, but I’m glad to have some protection.”
They're not alone. We spoke with Delois Bailey, an Administrator at Limestone Manor. She tells our reporter, “We have a total of 21 residents. Every one of them is vaccinated now, either with their 1st or 2nd shot. Out of 15 employees, a total of 12 are vaccinated.”
The home is tying in a little bit of fun with the vaccinations. The residents took part in a special event after the shots were given. Bailey says, “We’re incorporating Valentine’s Day, so we’re calling it ‘Spreading Love Not Germs’ or ‘Not COVID’.”
Limestone manor has a bit of a reputation for making the best out of a bleak situation. The last time we spoke back in August 2020, the home posted a video that went viral of residents doing the “Hallway Hokey Pokey” and they’ve kept the activities going.
Delois Bailey tells us, “Halloween, we did a ‘monster mash’ video… Thanksgiving we had a 'friendsgiving' meal with all the staff and the residents.”
Limestone Manor Resident, Ruth Lawson tells our reporter of some of the residents stay occupied in the home. Lawson says, “We do exercise and we play bingo…”
The home has gone from window visits, to porch visits. Now one visitor can visit at a time indoors with sanitization between sessions.
Residents hope these vaccines bring them closer to one thing-- family.
Kathleen Wales says, “Well, I hope I can go home. At least for a visit… My grandson is buying my house and he has a little boy who is three. So, I look forward to going to see Henry.”
Until then, spirits are high. These sisters say they’re thankful-- and ready for all this to be over with.
Kathleen Wales tells our reporter, “They’re very good to us. We don’t have any complaints except we want to go home (both sisters laugh)."
There will be another vaccination clinic to give follow-up doses to any of the residents who received their first shot today. WZDX is told some residents were not able to attend the first vaccination clinic. Friday's clinic was the second of three to be held.