After weeks of waiting, hundreds of Sanders County residents have been getting their COVID-19 vaccinations. Residents, especially those in the Phase 1B distribution group, have been anxiously waiting for the call from Public Health or Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) announcing their vaccination appointment.

Over the weekend, some of our family members received their first vaccinations at CFVH. The nurses told them that the hospital would be vaccinating about 300 people on Saturday, and the process was seamless. From checking in, to getting the shot, to the waiting time before being released to leave, the hospital's staff was excellent.

Our public health officials are working tirelessly to get our residents vaccinated. The anticipation is bigger than waiting for winning lottery numbers or a stimulus check. It's more like that call you get when your family member is going into labor. Getting vaccinated is another preventive step in getting our world back to normal. Not everyone will choose to get vaccinated, and that's OK. But the more who do, the more we will help protect each other.

Much gratitude goes out to our health care workers for continuing to put in long hours and put themselves at risk. We are lucky to have you here in Sanders County. Thank you!