Oak Creek Mom Gets Worldwide Attention For Question To Biden

OAK CREEK, WI —Kerri Engebrecht got a promise of help from President Joe Biden and worldwide media attention when she asked the president about the possibility of her immune-compromised son getting a COVID-19 vaccine at Biden's Tuesday town hall in Milwaukee.

According to WTMJ.com, Biden told Engebrecht he would connect with her after the town hall, which was held at the Pabst Theater. Engebrecht, from Oak Creek, told the station that did not happen, though the White House did take her contact information.

Engebrecht was selected to appear on the CNN town hall after the network saw her speaking on a local news program about her 19-year-old son Nate. A freshman at UW-Madison, Nate cannot get the vaccine despite suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In fact, Nate has had to come home from college in order to lessen his COVID-19 risk, according to reports.

"Our 19-year-old son was diagnosed with pediatric COPD at the age of 14. We're told he has the lungs of a 60-year-old," Engebrecht told Biden at the town hall. "Do you have a plan to vaccinate those who are most vulnerable sooner to give them a priority?"

Acc0rding to reports, Biden said he would try to assist Engebrecht.

"I can't tell the state you must move such and such a group of people up," Biden said. "But here is what I'd like to do: If you're willing, I'll stay around after this is over and maybe we can talk a few minutes and see if I can get you some help."

According to WISN.com, Wisconsin's vaccine eligibility list doesn't include people with medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to dying of COVID-19.

The station reported that Wisconsin's advisory committee for vaccine distribution has discussed adding people with chronic health conditions to the 1C group. However, it could still be months before that group gets vaccinated.

News, and in many cases footage, of Engebrecht's question, and Biden's response, quickly spread around local, national and international media, appearing on sites like: WashingtonPost.com, People.com, Newsweek.com and Britain's Independent.co.uk.

Engebrecht later spoke to WISN.com about the experience of asking a question to the president.

"I don't think people realize how nerve-racking it can be, asking a question that while I want it for everybody, it has very personal emotional meaning to me, and I'm asking it to the leader of the free world," Engebrecht said.

Read more at WTMJ.com.

Read more at WISN.com.