McKinney Teacher Shares COVID-19 Survival Story

After battling COVID-19 for more than a month, a McKinney teacher is home from the hospital.

Michael Link returned home Monday.

As orchestra director at McKinney Boyd High School and music director for his church, Aldersgate United Methodist, Link’s life revolves around pacing.

“My pacing is usually really fast in life," Link said. "I get things done really fast."

Last semester, he taught class in-person and online.

Their final performance of the year was a high note followed by a low.

Want to Get on a Vaccine Waitlist?

County health departments have launched waitlists for adults 16 years old and over.

You can register to recieve the vaccination in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties. Links are below:

Waitlist Links: Collin - Search Waitlist | Dallas | Denton | Tarrant

You do not need to be a resident of the county to register for a COVID-19 vaccine in that county -- registration is open to anyone in Texas. For those without internet access, Tarrant County is also taking registrations by phone at 817-248-6299. In Dallas County, call the DCHHS vaccine hotline at 1-855-IMMUNE9 (1-855-466-8639). In Denton County, call 940-349-2585.

For a more detailed breakdown of who is included in each priority group in Texas, see this page from the Texas DSHS.

In mid-December, Link tested positive for COVID-19.

On December 20, he said he went to Texas Health Presbyterian in Plano and was immediately admitted to the ICU before spending nearly a week on a ventilator.

“Then there's a big blank in my life,” he said.

Describing his story from home, Link said it took him a while to realize how close he came to being unable to tell it.

“It took people telling me these stories but the one that hit the hardest was when an ICU nurse that had been so awesome with me came to visit me after the ICU and said, ‘You are our COVID miracle’,” Link recalled.  

After 32 days in the hospital, Link said what helped him pull through were prayers, family, friends and students who had an envelope full of cards waiting for him on his doorstep when he got home.

“It's the thought and it meant a lot,” he said.

Link doesn't know when he'll direct again. He's re-learning to walk and has months of rehab ahead of him.

“At least I know I'm on the road to recovery," Link said. "It’s going to be a slow recovery and pacing is everything."

Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows where COVID-19 vaccines have been sent around the state. Click on a marker to find out information about each location. Use the "plus" and "minus" signs below to zoom in and out of the map.

From the Texas DSHS: Availability of COVID-19 vaccines lilsted on this map are based on shipping information and reporting to the DSHS directly by facilities. Please contact providers in advance to confirm vaccination location and hours, that they have vaccine on hand and that you are eligible for vaccination at that site. Not all providers are vaccinating the public or people in all priority groups. Vaccine is available at no charge, regardless of insurance status.

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*Map locations are approximate, central locations for the city and are not meant to indicate where actual infected people live.

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