Las Cruces nursing home residents ecstatic to receive Covid-19 vaccine, saying they have ‘nothing to lose’

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- At 81-years-old, Henrietta Devins was first in line on Monday to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at the Village at Northrise - Morningside nursing home in Las Cruces.

"I have nothing to lose," the grandmother said. "My time, obviously, is limited."

On Sunday, the state of New Mexico began the process of vaccinating 15,000 residents or staffers of long-term care facilities. Casa Del Sol was the first in Las Cruces.

"I worry about my grandkids," Devins said. "Nobody can even come and visit you. The isolation is terrible."

"Last night I was anxious about it because I know the meaning behind it," said Monique Salazar, a licensed practical nurse at the facility. "It means that we can get back to somewhat of a normal life."

She is especially excited for her young son to attend his first class when it's safe.

"It's his first year, so he's in kindergarten," Salazar said. "I missed Christmas recitals, I missed Thanksgiving lunch. Any parent's excited about all that stuff."

"It's very important because we have older people that stay here and they need it," said Vivian Otubor, a certified nursing assistant at the Village at Northrise. "Some of them have a weak immune system."

Otubor gladly stepped up to get the vaccine, even though the injection made her a bit nervous.

"It didn't hurt at all!" she said. "I just tried to turn my head because I don't like needles."

What can you expect from your first dose of the vaccine? Click on this Walgreens link for more information.