Polly Williams bounced in her seat, as her truck rolled closer to her promised and urgently needed COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday.
“I wanna dance and sing. I’m so happy. I’m so happy. I’m very excited,” said Williams, a Cowichan elder. “We’ve been in lockdown, my dog and my husband and I, since March.”
The grandmother was joined by hundreds more desperate people Wednesday from the Cowichan Tribes, who formed long lines in hopes of being able to get a much needed COVID-19 vaccine.
“This has been a long time coming and I think it’s going to bring a big relief to a lot of people,” he said,” said Cowichan elder Joe Thorne.
Many have been living in isolation at the Duncan area First Nations as it copes with a growing COVID-19 situation, that tallied 81 active cases as of Wednesday.
Last week the First Nations put a shelter in place order on the reserve to contain the growing spread, restricting movement and isolating those most vulnerable.
With 81 active cases of COVID-19 in Cowichan Tribes, the shelter in place order will remain in effect.
Meanwhile, Williams was overcome with relief when she rolled up to receive her shot.
“Thank you for giving us this medicine,” Wiliams told the nurse. “I bless you with all my heart. Thank you.”
The drive-thru style vaccinations will continue through Friday, with 600 doses in all made available to Cowichan elders.
Skye Ryan
