PENSACOLA, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Floridians who have received monoclonal antibody treatments, and announced that Florida will open a new monoclonal antibody treatment site in Escambia County at Bayview Community Center.
Bayview Community Center
2001 East Lloyd Street
Pensacola, Florida 32503
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hear directly from monoclonal antibody recipients about their experience with the therapy…
Melody Hinson, a resident of Pace, said, “After I tested positive, I immediately got in touch with my doctor. Within two hours, I had an appointment to receive the monoclonal antibodies for the next day. I hadn’t heard a whole lot about it, but I went and got the infusion. When I got home that afternoon, my taste came back. The achiness, and all of that went away. We’ve been blessed by all this effort. There’s people here that don’t have insurance, and with the state sites and standing referral, they are going to be able to get this help.”
Yvette McLellan, who works for the City of Pensacola, said, “When I started feeling sick it felt like a head cold, and I was just coughing. I didn’t want to infect my coworkers, so I stayed home Monday and when I went and got tested, I was positive for COVID. My husband was positive by Friday, and he was a lot sicker than I was. We had the antibody infusion and were better that afternoon. I encourage everyone to go and get this antibody infusion as soon as you start feeling anything. The sooner you get it done, the faster you can start feeling better and that’ll keep us all out of the hospital. And thank you so much for pushing this. I encourage you all to get the treatment.”
Angela Moore, a resident of Pensacola Beach, said, “I contracted COVID on a Saturday evening. By Tuesday I couldn’t stand, and I had a fever of 99 to almost 103. Three days later I was able to get the monoclonal infusion. I went in there with a fever, and I came out after the treatment and I didn’t have any more symptoms.”
Sean Kramer, a retired Navy aviator who lives in Pensacola, said, “Two weeks ago I came down with symptoms after being vaccinated back in February. My symptoms were classic, loss of taste and smell. I contacted one of my doctors that I knew at the VA, and he said he was unaware of the monoclonal antibodies treatment. I sent him a link with information, and he suggested I go get it. Two days later, I tested negative, and got back to work. That was my goal, to not expose anybody else, and to get back to work.”
James Madarena, a local paramedic, said, “When I tested positive, I called a medical director that we work with, to ask him what I should do next. He told me to start driving towards Fort Walton, so that’s what I did. While I was in route, my wife scheduled an appointment online and once I got there I was in and out within an hour and a half. I tested negative four days later, with nothing more than a stuffy nose. I’m very thankful to have this treatment for those at risk and severe COVID patients. Our community is very thankful for you taking care of them, it is a true blessing.”
