Coronavirus in Franklin County: Why I got vaccinated – and why you should, too
The COVID-19 Delta variant continues to spread, raising concerns about a pandemic resurgence and the potential return of mask mandates and other measures designed to slow the spread of the deadly virus. Pennsylvania is doing fairly well at getting people vaccinated, ranking 5th among all states for total doses administered, and 63.8% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
In Franklin County, 40.2% of eligible people had at least one dose as of last week. We asked community members why they decided to get vaccinated – and why they think others should, too. Here are their responses:
Ron Camacho
Ron Camacho, Chambersburg Police Chief, said he was willing to do whatever was necessary to help society get back to normal.
"I could not wait to get back to some state of normalcy," he said. "I knew getting the vaccine was going to make that happen sooner rather than later."
Dion Betts
Dion Betts, Chambersburg Area School District superintendent, was happy to receive the vaccine.
"I received the vaccine and am glad I did so," he said. "At the school district, we need to provide for the health and safety of everyone. We also need to keep schools open and keep children and staff in school."
Linda May
Linda May, Director of Waynesboro's Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library, said that for her, getting the vaccine was the healthy choice.
"As a lifelong asthmatic and 'a person of a certain age', I jumped on the amazing opportunity to get a free vaccination protecting me against a global pandemic. I also love working in a public library and wanted to continue to do that in an open and safe environment."
Cheryl Young
Cheryl Young, an RN from WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, said the vaccine represents a brighter future.
“This vaccine truly represents the light at the end of the tunnel. ... I will be able to sit down with my family in my home and laugh and joke and have Christmas as we knew it — and eat all of the food that they love that I fix on Christmas Eve."
Tobey Brown
Tobey Brown, a purchasing agent for the U.S. government at Letterkenny Army Depot, said the COVID-19 vaccines can save millions of lives just like the polio vaccine has since its development in the 1950s.
“The only difference is, unlike the polio vaccine, unvaccinated people are still giving the virus the opportunity to mutate and spread and get worse. We need all the people to stand together against the virus in order to beat it.”
Mike Over
Local business owner and personal trainer Mike Over, of Over-Achieve Fitness in Chambersburg, said people should get vaccinated to help ensure businesses like his can continue serving the community.
“Speaking as a healthcare leader and fitness professional, I’ve seen what COVID can do to businesses and everyone in the world. Getting vaccinated can be another step to helping us rebound as a country and further allow my industry to resurface to help people get healthier and avoid illnesses as such.”
Linda Thomas Worthy
Linda Thomas Worthy, the executive director of Franklin County Housing Authority and a local activist for racial equality, said people who don't get vaccinated could be risking their lives.
“I would like my family and friends to get vaccinated because a vaccine may mean the difference between life and death. For some, our children need us and are counting on us."