Gutierrez lost his aunt to the pandemic, and lost his job as a web producer, too. "It feels like this past year I've been managing instead of, you know, thriving," he said.

Gutierrez has a new job as a chef and was eager to get vaccinated. "For me, it's actually very important that I'm safe, clean and I don't get anybody sick," he said. (Photos courtesy: Brandon Lara Gutierrez)