McDonald’s encourages employees, community to get vaccinated

The local McDonald’s franchise is hosting vaccinations clinics and providing incentives to encourage employees and community members to get vaccinated.

The McDonald’s in Bennettsville held a vaccination event on Jan. 19.

“We are encouraging our employees to get vaccinated to help stop the spread of Covid-19,” said Nimi Rama, director of operations for Superior QSR-McDonald’s. Employees were given $50 VISA gift cards for getting vaccinated. Customers received a coupon for free fries or nuggets.

Vaccination events have been held at McDonald’s in Florence, Cheraw and Dillon.

Rama felt it was very important to get vaccinated.

“Any resources that can stop the spread of Covid is a good resource, especially in small communities like Bennettsville, Cheraw and Dillon,” he said. “I think it is very important that we get the vaccine and do everything we can in our power to make sure everyone gets it.”

At the time, they had vaccinated about 15 people.

William Alves, area supervisor for Superior QSR-McDonald’s, said it didn’t sound like a lot.

“But if every business does it part, I think we are moving in the right direction,” Alves said. This community and region need to wake up to this virus. We have one of the lowest vaccination rates.”

Marlboro County Pro Vax Ambassadors Pearlie Lawson and Nan Fleming were at the event as part of In It To Win It.

Lawson said the vaccination rate for Marlboro County is at 37.4%. “For us to move 1%, it takes 300 people per week to get vaccinated,” she said.

Rama felt the event would help to increase the number of people getting vaccinated.

“The partnership between the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, McDonalds, the In It To Win It program, and the community is great,” he said.

Arabia Leggett, a McDonald’s employee and student at Marlboro County High School, said she got the vaccination because so many people in Bennettsville have had COVID-19.

“I would encourage people to get vaccinated so they can keep their family safe,” she said.

The COVID-19 data reports from DHEC have been delayed since Jan. 20.

According to DHEC’s website, as of press time, they were experiencing a data processing issue worsened by the record numbers of tests and the format in which they are receiving results. DHEC said an update will be provided as soon as those issues were fixed, and the accuracy of the data was confirmed.