With Santa Cruz County facing one of the highest rates of COVID-19 cases in the state, Tubac Fire Department Fire Chief Cheryl Horvath knew that a vaccine is what’s needed to bring an end to the pandemic.
But a vaccine requires human volunteers as test subjects.
Horvath had never taken part in a clinical research trial before and was a little concerned about the risk, but she said she wanted to do something that would help her community and also protect her firefighters. So, after some research, she signed up. Rep. Amish Shah, D-Phoenix, knows all about the risks involved in clinical trials from his 19 years working as a doctor. But he also knows the safeguards. And Shah, like Horvath, wanted to help.
“Having a familiarity with it, I felt comfortable volunteering for it,” Shah said. “I understand the risk and benefits of what is involved, and I think it’s a service to humanity.”