TORONTO -- As vaccine programs expand across the country, those 80 and up are making up an increasingly smaller percentage of new cases 鈥� welcome news in a Quebec long-term care unit for veterans.
Within the walls of Ste-Anne鈥檚 hospital, fighting COVID-19 is more than a mission, it鈥檚 a duty to protect those who once fought to protect us.
Shots of the vaccine have now given that mission a boost, bringing some relief and hope to the unit鈥檚 roughly 100 residents.
Among them is 89-year-old Stuart Vary, who served in Korea.
鈥淚 have 16 grandchildren, I have nine great-grandchildren,鈥� he said proudly. He added that residents 鈥渟till miss going home or going outside, but hopefully it will change.鈥�
During COVID-19鈥檚 second wave in the fall, the virus made its way into the veterans鈥� unit.
鈥淚t was very hard, a tough moment for everyone,鈥� Isabelle Labrie, manager at Ste-Anne鈥檚 Hospital, told 麻豆影视.
Life changed completely for the residents.
鈥淚 haven't seen my wife for five months right now,鈥� Jim McCann told 麻豆影视.
COVID-19 slowed the 97-year-old鈥檚 active life. He used to wake up early to go to the gym in the morning.
McCann鈥檚 routine is still plotted with military precession, but for now, dinners out with his wife are on hold.
鈥淚 talk to my wife about a dozen times a day to pass the time,鈥� he said.
With the vaccine shots, some activities have returned, such as physiotherapy and bingo, provided it鈥檚 played in small groups.
鈥淚t helps to see we are moving forward, trying to get back to normal life,鈥� said Labrie.
Every shot helping to turn the tide of the battle for these veterans.
With files from Alexandra Mae Jones
