After almost a year of death and isolation, everyone could use a bit of hope.

Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, whos in charge of distributing Ontario s COVID-19 vaccines , said hes clinging to stories of people receiving their shots.

This is the only light in the COVID-19 tragedy right now, he told reporters at Ontario Premier Doug Ford s press conference Tuesday .

Last week, he said, a woman in her 90s had her entire extended family on Zoom to watch her get her first vaccine dose.

We all draw upon those inspirational moments every time we get tired, Hillier said.

Ontario passed its first hump in the journey Tuesday. Residents, workers and essential caregivers in long-term care homes have all got their first dose of the vaccine in seven regions: Toronto, Peel, York, Windsor-Essex, Ottawa, Durham and Simcoe Muskoka. These facilities have been devastated by the pandemic, with 3,239 residents and 10 staff passing away.

Almost a quarter of a million doses of the vaccine have now been administered in Ontario.

Here are three stories from front-line workers in these homes.

Sue McCullagh, 59