How ‘saving grandma from COVID’ turned into ‘wait your turn’

While hypocritical politicians, media and health officials have urged people to stay home, mask themselves, and even not celebrate the holidays with family members to “save grandma” from a virus that is particularly deadly for the elderly, the narrative changed once a vaccine, which was hailed by many left and right as a beacon of hope, was produced.

Instead of prioritizing vaccinating those most vulnerable to dying if they contract the virus, many state governments have told elderly populations to be patient while they distribute and administer the vaccine. frontline workers, residents of nursing homes, inmates and even some teachers and police officers.

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes that people aged 65 and older are responsible for 8 in 10 Wuhan virus deaths, the federal agency has suggested giving the vaccine to people on the frontlines first. and in long-term care facilities. The CDC later recommends that vaccine doses be allocated to those 75 and over along with “about 30 million essential front-line workers,” a large group of people who the New York Times says represents ” nearly 70% of the American workforce. “

The effects of this prioritization are already emerging in the United States. Last week, some politicians and their staff jumped to the front row to receive their first dose of the vaccine. Among them was Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is only 31 years old. Despite criticism from her colleagues and constituents for taking the dose, the young representative did not regret the experience, posting a video of herself receiving the vaccine and offering to answer questions about it.

Inmates and prison workers in some states, such as New York, are also already receiving preferential treatment by receiving the vaccine before the elderly. Even Guantanamo Bay prisoners will receive the vaccine before some states even expand their distribution beyond those in long-term care facilities.

Update: Southcom says Covid-19 vaccines bound for Guantanamo this month will be administered on a voluntary basis. Prison staff and wartime inmates may decline.

– Carol Rosenberg (@carolrosenberg) January 4, 2021

Poor planning on the part of some states and their governors has also unexpectedly granted some who are not due for the vaccine special opportunities to receive it, after health care providers were left with doses. additional vaccine, which has a short shelf life and would be thrown away if not administered quickly. From Washington, DC to California, excess unused vaccines have forced those administering the vaccines to choose between administering a dose to someone not at the front of the COVID-19 line or throwing it away.

Politicians such as Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York have also contributed to this crisis of choice by denying New York City’s request to vaccinate those 75 and over after a severe underutilization of their vaccine supply. Cuomo has threatened to increase penalties against healthcare providers who fail to meet the state’s COVID-19 vaccine prioritization schedule, which includes vaccinating drug addicts before the elderly, as well as hospitals that do not not use up their vaccine stock before it expires.

NY Gov Cuomo has rejected NYC’s request to vaccinate people aged 75 and over, despite the city only using 25% of its supply on Covid vaccines. pic.twitter.com/41qEqvIUUr

– Eli Klein (@TheEliKlein) January 4, 2021

While many politicians, agencies, and states have failed to implement vaccine deployment plans that help older people get the vaccine quickly, others like Texas and Florida have bypassed some of the recommendations. CDC to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable.

Despite the media response since the start of the pandemic, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken the lead in these efforts, making it clear that vaccinating the elderly is necessary and the best way to fight the pandemic.

“If you’re 74 in the state of Florida, we’ve made the decision to get you vaccinated,” DeSantis said. “You are eligible and you are a priority, and we will do everything we can in collaboration with our healthcare partners to make sure the vaccine gets to you. If you are 74 years old in most states in this country, you do not have a vaccine yet; you are not even eligible under the guidelines of most of these states to be vaccinated. “