Even after Maria DaSilva became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, there was one big barrier to her making an appointment online: she does not have a computer.
When DaSilva, 82, learned that people were getting vaccinated in Rhode Island, she went to East Providence City Hall. There she was told she would have to wait a few more weeks — maybe three — before she became eligible.
Over the next few weeks, she went back to City Hall several more times. Finally, officials told her she could register for a vaccine appointment, but she couldn’t do it in person. She would have to use the state website.