FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — A few weeks ago, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and Agricultural Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced they would wait until more COVID-19 vaccines are available to get one. But other Kentucky lawmakers received the vaccine Monday, ahead of the legislative session.
Among those were Senator Morgan McGarvey, Representative Joni Jenkins, and Senator Reggie Thomas. The lawmakers from both sides of the aisle say they wanted to set an example for their constituents.
"The only way we are going to beat this COVID is by getting vaccinated and then getting ourselves back to some sort of normalcy. Again, I recognize that everybody is tired of COVID, but this COVID virus is not tired of us," Senator Thomas said.
So far, the state of Kentucky has gotten more than 170,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.
The majority floor leader, Senator Damon Thayer, says that while the decision to get the vaccine was hard to make, he believes getting it is the best step to make sure his district's voice is heard.
"That's another reason for getting the vaccine; I don't want it to be political," Senator Thayer said. "It was developed by the leadership of a Republican president and being offered by the leadership of a Democratic governor."
Martha Lane Collins, Ernie Fletcher, and Steve Beshear were a handful of former governors to receive the vaccine. Former Governor Matt Bevin politely declined the offer.
