‘It’s just not right’: Chicago area seniors deal with digital divide when making vaccine appointments

With many seniors not plugged into today’s digital world, some are getting confused when it comes to making or rescheduling vaccine appointments. One senior was so frustrated, she just gave up. “The whole world can’t think that everybody has a computer and an email to do this stuff,” Pat Cash said. Woodale (IL) senior Pat Cash said she wasn’t notified that her COVID-19 appointment had been changed because she doesn’t have a smartphone. “I was just like livid because I have a set time I was told to be there, early nobody’s there to talk to everything’s locked up,” she said. A young man finally told her vaccines were now being given at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. When she finally made her way over there, she said there were hundreds are cars waiting. “And the kid says ‘well you have to sit there in line,” Cash said. “That’s just not right.” Director of Advocacy and Outreach Mary Anderson said they’ve been hearing stories from their members and volunteers around the state about massive frustration when it comes to getting vaccine appointments.