Phase one of the COVID vaccine distribution is still in the works. But with the next phase on the horizon, there's an effort to prioritize vaccine distribution to survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

That initiative also extends to those who worked at ground zero and the Pentagon.

The request comes as COVID continues to impact those who survived and served on one of the country's darkest days.

Dozens of Rochester natives who served at the World Trade Center site are being represented by an attorney who is pushing for that community to be prioritized, saying many of them are at risk of contracting the virus.

"Not a day goes by without one of my clients dying," said Michael Barasch. "It's truly heartbreaking."

William Hucks has seen many challenges as a member of the National Guard. Perhaps the biggest was at ground zero in the aftermath of the terrorist attack.

"It was a day I'll never forget," the Rochester man said. "Once we got down there, it was very grim and gloom. It felt like a great spirit was lost. People looked like they had no hope."

Years after he helped in the recovery efforts, he and others in his unit began suffering from upper respiratory illnesses, he said. Now, he lives in a constant state of fear, knowing the COVID pandemic could make his illness even worse.

"It is a great fear and anxiety knowing that. Knowing the unknown. You can't see it, smell it, taste it, but you know it's there and it's present," Hucks said.

Barasch, who represents 20,000 9/11 survivors and responders, says the toll on that group has been staggering, which is why he hopes they have access to a COVID vaccine sooner rather than later.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to the responders who came down from Rochester, who helped out the World Trade Center and the Pentagon," he said. "As a result, they developed these insidious illnesses and are still at risk today. In my opinion, they should be next in line after those in front of the pandemic are taken care of."

13WHAM has reached out to the state regarding when Sept. 11, 2001 victims and responders could receive the COVID vaccine.

Source: WHAM