Sandra Lindsay (above), a critical care nurse in Queens, was the first person in the United States to receive the vaccine on Dec. 14. Twitter (Gov. Andrew Cuomo)
July 6, 2021 By Ryan Songalia
The Queens nurse who was the first American to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will serve as Grand Marshal for a parade on Wednesday honoring New York’s essential workers.
Sandra Lindsay received the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 14 at Long Island Jewish Medical Center Queens, where she works as an intensive care nurse. She will lead the “Hometown Heroes” ticker tape parade, which departs from Battery Park in Manhattan at 11 a.m.
“It is truly an honor and privilege to serve as the grand marshal in the Hometown Heroes ticker tape parade and represent all health care and essential workers whose heroic efforts saved lives during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lindsay said.
Lindsay, who was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager, was presented with the “Outstanding Americans by Choice” award by Joe Biden on July 2, which honors outstanding naturalized citizens.
“During the height of the pandemic, Sandra poured her heart and soul, working with patients and keeping her fellow nurses safe,” said President Joe Biden at the award ceremony.
Tomorrow’s parade will feature 14 floats representing 260 different groups of essential workers—including healthcare, emergency food, first responders, transportation, city workers, small businesses and bodegas, education and childcare.
The parade will conclude with a ceremony at City Hall Park that will be hosted by “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts. The ceremony will include a performance by the Northwell Health Nurse Choir, which was recently featured on “America’s Got Talent.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio credited the city’s essential workers with helping make the city’s recovery possible.
“This celebration will honor all those who fought through adversity and unprecedented challenges to keep New Yorkers safe,” said Mayor de Blasio. “I can’t wait to celebrate alongside them.”
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