Pam and Walter McWhirt got both doses of the vaccine, waited two weeks for full immunity, then made a beeline to Northern Virginia to see their sonâs family.
The McWhirts, who are in their 70s and are both retired Spotsylvania County educators, were thrilled to get closer to their grandchildren, ages 11 and 13, than theyâve been in the last year. They felt more at ease interacting with themâinstead of staying on separate ends of a screened-in porch as theyâd done on their few previous visitsâbut were still cautious.
âWe felt more relaxed about being there with them,â she said, âbut not more relaxed to the point we gave everybody hugs.â