Michael Jefferson: 69, York, director of employment and training/pandemic coordinator, Crispus Attucks York; elder at the Bible Tabernacle Christian Center, York
Why I chose to get the vaccine: “I’m seeing too many other people in the community get the virus and I’ve had some people actually die from it. We had family members pass, I had some reverend buddies, neighborhood people. My wife and I, even though she was reluctant, we decided we wanted to get the vaccine. I wanted to make an example that you don’t have to die from it.”
What I am looking forward to: “I am looking forward to being able to see my grandkids. I actually had a granddaughter born at the end of 2020. I haven’t been able to see her yet. We’re going down sometime in May. I still wear a mask, wash my hands and social distance but it’s sort of weight lifted that there’s hope, and we have an opportunity to see and do some things in the new normal.”
What I would say to someone who has not yet gotten vaccine: “I would say get vaccinated. I’ve been doing it from the pulpit. Our Black Ministers Association has been doing it from the pulpit. Wherever I go, I urge people to please get vaccinated. I think people, in the beginning, they were very reluctant in the Black and brown community. People just weren’t trusting. And I understand it. But I think now people are starting to realize that there is hope in this vaccine and they are coming around.”
