In the U.S., life has been throttled since March with the virus that changed everything. Nine months later, a vaccine from Pfizer has been approved by the FDA, and was administered for the first time on Dec. 14 in New York City. The first dose given out in the U.S. was given to a critical care nurse in Queens, according to The New York Times. Not much information has been shared about the administration plan or how the vaccine will be dispersed throughout the states. However, the approval of the vaccine in the U.S. is the first major step for the country’s return to normal. 

Lauryn Medbury, Lincoln Southeast (LSE) Alum, and now freshman at University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), is studying Biology in the pre-med track. Medbury works at Tabitha, a senior health care center, as well as Pemberley Place in the assisted living unit. As COVID-19 is most dangerous to older age groups, Medbury’s work has changed a lot to keep residents safe and healthy. 

“So many policies have changed to keep all the residents safe. It has definitely been an adjustment because not only do we have to care for them we also have to be their family right now because they are unable to see their family,” Medbury said. 

When the news about the vaccine approval came out the weekend of Dec. 13, many people across the country felt relief, and were excited that healing could begin. 

“This [vaccine approval] made me think of hope. People are struggling mentally with this pandemic and I am hoping that we will have successful outcomes and the world will potentially start to go back to what used to be normal,” Medbury said. 

Although the fight is not over, and it will take months for the majority of the population to have access to getting the vaccine, Medbury said, “It will be a positive adjustment.” 

Only a couple weeks away from the New Year, 2020 has been, for many, the most challenging year yet. With quarantine starting in March, it has been nine months since normal, and the losses and changes have been major. 

The timing of the vaccine, comes in time to bring hope for the New Year, and “is important because the sooner we receive the vaccine the less lives will be lost. The spread is not going to stop and may just get worse because people are getting sick of it and starting to care less and not take as many precautions,” Medbury said. This vaccine has already started being administered to the public in other countries, and with this approval from the FDA, the U.S. isn’t far behind.