Coronavirus in Texas

Up for the task: Younger Texans are helping older family members get COVID-19 vaccine

Jackie Tidwell, a sixth-generation Texan living in Seattle, made it her mission to get her 90-year-old grandfather in Corpus Christi vaccinated for COVID-19 and hopes others “have persistent grandkids like me.” Listen, in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.

By Alana Rocha, Jackson Barton, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn

Feb. 6, 20216 AM Central

Republish

Jackie Tidwell is among a growing number of adult children and grandchildren helping older family members get access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Tidwell, a content designer for a major tech company in Seattle, made it her mission to get her 90-year-old grandfather in Corpus Christi vaccinated all the way from her home 2,300 miles away.

But, after attempting to navigate the local sign-up portal, ultimately all it took was a phone call to get retired Cmdr. David Gallegos Jr. — whom Tidwell adoringly calls “Pops” — the information he needed to get his first dose.

Listen, in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.

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Clarification: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Jackie Tidwell worked as a web content designer. She works with software designers for a major tech company in Seattle.