Despite progress, Marylanders are still being hospitalized with COVID — and they’re younger now

Shirlonda Tucker shows the shoulder bag that holds an oxygen cylinder that lasts her three hours for infrequent trips out of the house. Tucker, who recently was released from the hospital after a 12-day stay for COVID-19 pneumonia, is recovering from the illness. She is encouraging younger Black people to get vaccinated. (Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun)