Grandson Vaccinates Grandmother He Hasn’t Seen Since Pandemic Began

It has been hard for Montgomery County Career Firefighter and Paramedic Mike Rechen, who hasn’t seen his 90-year-old grandmother in at least year due to the pandemic. But that all changed March 9 as he joyfully administered her dose of COVID-19 at Richard Montgomery High School.

Rechen, 28, grew up frequently seeing his grandmother, Shirley Donaldson of Rockville, especially at holidays, birthdays and when they ate crabs together. But like so many people, they kept apart rather than take a chance of spreading the virus. However, one day earlier, when Rechen learned he would be administering vaccines Tuesday morning, he requested to be assigned to the same facility where his grandmother would be going.

He was so thrilled to see his grandmother that he gave her a big hug as she entered the lobby. It was “one of the few times you could tell how big somebody was smiling right under their mask,” he said. Now Rechen hopes his parents soon will be eligible for the vaccine, and they can all resume their family gatherings.

Wednesday afternoon when he continued to vaccinate people, Rechen took a few minutes to talk to MyMCM about seeing his grandmother again.

Rechen estimates that he has administered between 300 and 400 shots, roughly 30 to 50 each day.

His fellow firefighters shared Rechen’s joy, and tweeted, “We are excited for our own IAFF Local 1664 Brother Mike Rechen and his grandmother. They saw each other for the 1st time in a year when he gave her a COVID-19 vaccine shot! What a great way to finally be reunited.”

A Frederick resident, Rechen has been with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services for almost eight years.  He currently is assigned to the Damascus station.

ICYMI (@TODAYshow follow up to @nbcwashington @patcollins4 story about @mcfrs 28 year old Paramedic giving 90 year old grandmother her 2nd vaccine dose shot) NBC TODAY SHOW https://t.co/fEiFTj1RPk https://t.co/BPSE4OW11y pic.twitter.com/TweBc0vpu9

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 10, 2021

About Suzanne Pollak

Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers, magazines, non-profit newsletters and the web.

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