This morning, News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Sandra Lindsay and Michael Dowling. Sandra was the first American to receive the COVID-19 vaccine one year ago today and is the director of critical care nursing at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Michael Dowling is the president and CEO of Northwell Health.

In Dec. 2020, COVID-19 had killed more than 300,000 people and hospitals were inundated with patients amid a surge in cases. Lindsay’s vaccine, which was seen live across the country and around the world, served as a moment of hope for those who had been suffering from months in lockdowns and businesses in peril.

What has it been like for Lindsay to become a symbol for the world that is striving to reach normalcy again?

One year later, what has changed in terms of numbers and severity of COVID-19 patients?

Are we in a better place than we were last year?