The Guam National Guard has been one of the island’s most vital frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19. They're manning everything from the quarantine and isolation sites to assisting commodity distribution and contact tracing and so much more, they continue to assist in the fight against COVID-19. Their most recent mission Operation Liberate Guam is a vaccination initiative that aims at achieving 80% herd immunity by July 21, Liberation Day.

One resident, Ron Castro, has just joined the almost 5,000 Guamanians that have received full immunization. He explains how his wife, a Public Health personnel, is part of the frontliners working effortlessly to help Guam contain COVID.

 

"She’s been you know the weekends at Okkodo and things like that so yeah it’s been rough not being able to go out like normal," he said.

Franklin Taimanglo is another that has received full immunization. He explains why it’s important to achieve immunity in the community.

"It’s a good time to get serious about it and the proof is we have a lot of people that were sick that had the virus a lot of people that have left us and this is just one way of beating the animal back so hopefully everybody can come out and do their part at keeping everybody safe," he said.

One woman, Miss Anita Matanane shared a few tears as she explained the hardship of losing a loved one during the pandemic.

"You know when there’s a death in the family these days, it’s hard cuz that’s not our culture you know we can’t hug each other and everybody needs to take this please," she said. "It’s not easy when you lose a lot of your families it’s not easy."

Francis Cruz explains that it takes everyone in the community to do their part to bring back a healthier Guam.

"This is a positive mood the vaccine I pray that everybody takes advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated you know we can’t just sit back and say were not affected by it," she said.

Guam National Guard Public Affairs Officer Mark Scott explains how it’s an honor to add in the fight in support of public health

"We get to see the smiles of our manamko' as they come through, these are our grandparents, and our aunties and uncles coming through doing the right thing getting vaccinated, being a part of the solution," he said.