A newly formed Florida grass-roots coalition used a mix of Bible-based spiritual appeals, scientific advice and personal testimonies about the deadly toll of the COVID-19 virus while launching a campaign Wednesday for convincing people of color to get the vaccine as it rolls out in the coming months.
Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown is among the high-profile figures participating in the group whose members say they will literally roll up their sleeves in order to overcome skepticism about whether the vaccine is safe.
"If I had an opportunity today to take it, I would take the vaccine," Brown said. "I would take it, and I would take it publicly. What we're saying is we need to get the message out that it's important you trust the doctors and the science."