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Qualifying for COVID vaccine solely on BMI
pfeiferlindsey
Posts: 163 Member
in Debate Club
To piggyback off the COVID vaccine debate...what are your thoughts on states vaccinating people who are classified as overweight or obese as defined by BMI?
For example....I have a BMI of 26. I am otherwise healthy 34 year old. On March 29, my state opens up eligibility to the next group which includes people who are overweight/obese. To give context here, my 55 year old mother with several severe health conditions who hasn't left her house in well over a year due to the pandemic will "qualify" at the same time as me.
It's easy for me, I'll be waiting until eligibility opens to the general populations. I don't deserve a vaccine because I'm carrying 10 extra pounds above my "ideal BMI". But, many people in the same situation as me won't wait.
For example....I have a BMI of 26. I am otherwise healthy 34 year old. On March 29, my state opens up eligibility to the next group which includes people who are overweight/obese. To give context here, my 55 year old mother with several severe health conditions who hasn't left her house in well over a year due to the pandemic will "qualify" at the same time as me.
It's easy for me, I'll be waiting until eligibility opens to the general populations. I don't deserve a vaccine because I'm carrying 10 extra pounds above my "ideal BMI". But, many people in the same situation as me won't wait.
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BMI is associated with mortality with COVID although I was unaware that there were any states using the overweight category, vs obese. My state is opening up to BMI >40 this weekend, as well as some other health conditions, most in uncontrolled state (lung disease must be oxygen dependent). Then, there won't be another tier. Everyone 16-65 who isn't very ill or work in an essential profession will suddenly be eligible at the same time and I am sure it will be a mess. But in a smaller state, it sometimes makes sense to have large tiers so that the appointments fill and doses are not wasted. I think that is why Texas has been so open: they have a lot of folks opting out and they have a lot of rural areas. But in many places, it just creates a situation where the most tech savvy and those with the most free time end up at the front of the line, rather than those in need.5
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concordancia wrote: »BMI is associated with mortality with COVID although I was unaware that there were any states using the overweight category, vs obese. My state is opening up to BMI >40 this weekend, as well as some other health conditions, most in uncontrolled state (lung disease must be oxygen dependent). Then, there won't be another tier. Everyone 16-65 who isn't very ill or work in an essential profession will suddenly be eligible at the same time and I am sure it will be a mess. But in a smaller state, it sometimes makes sense to have large tiers so that the appointments fill and doses are not wasted. I think that is why Texas has been so open: they have a lot of folks opting out and they have a lot of rural areas. But in many places, it just creates a situation where the most tech savvy and those with the most free time end up at the front of the line, rather than those in need.
I just double checked to be sure, and yes, my state will be opening to the below categories (out of a long list of over 20 conditions) on March 29. They said something like 2 million will become eligible.
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30-39 kg/m2)
Overweight (BMI of 25-29 kg/m2)
Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 or more)
Given that 64% of my state is overweight or obese, this pretty much opens it up to most everyone.0 -
I think you should take the vaccine whenever you can. It can sound selfish, but actually each person who has it is one less to potentially burden an ICU and one less to pass it on to someone else, so it's actually rather selfless. (Just like taking other precautions, such as wearing a mask.)29
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Higher BMI is associated with higher risk if one gets COVID. To me, vaccines aren't really about "deserving" them, it's about protecting people who are at higher risk AND getting as much as the population vaccinated as possible. Someone with a higher BMI getting vaccinated serves both goals. Getting into parsing who is "innocently" at risk versus who isn't is not of interest to me. There are people who argue that people choose to be overweight, there are people who argue that people choose to have T2D, there are people who argue that people choose to work in essential jobs . . . let's just get people vaccinated.
If someone who is at a higher BMI chooses not to get vaccinated in a state that has tiers, it's unlikely to result in someone who is at the same/higher level of risk but somehow not in that tier vaccinated faster. Even if I was in what I thought was an incorrectly assessed tier that gave me faster access, I'd probably still get the vaccination because it's just another step on getting through the tiers quickly and opening up general access.
(Note: I am not in any priority category and won't be vaccinated until my state opens up for "everyone else," which probably influences how quickly I'd like to get through all the tiers).
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Personally, I'm not opposed to being vaccinated, but I do have questions concerning long term effects within my body that have not been answered....too much to elaborate on, but you get the drift.8
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One option would be to check your local vaccination site for same day appointments. That way, you are keeping a dose from going to waste, rather than actually taking it from someone else.
If we were going by deserving, I would be happy to put the ones who refused to wear masks at the end of the line, but we are going for "getting as many folks through the system as quickly as we can make them available" and "stop the spread so that we stop/slow the variants," as well as "protect the most vulnerable."15 -
I agree that everyone who wants to be vaccinated should get it as soon as they can.
Every arm that receives a vaccine is one less vector for the rest of us.
There will be enough to go around.
There is no easy way to prioritize this and from the very beginning it's been a case of having to make a bad decision out of a list of worse decisions.
Just hang on. Wash hands, stay a meter apart, do the right thing as much as possible.4 -
As many people vaccinated as quickly as possible is, and must be, the goal. If anyone has questions or concerns about the vaccine they should talk to their doctor, but choosing not to get the vaccine when it is offered to you is IMO tantamount to saying "Half a million isn't enough, I want more people to die."13
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pfeiferlindsey wrote: »To piggyback off the COVID vaccine debate...what are your thoughts on states vaccinating people who are classified as overweight or obese as defined by BMI?
For example....I have a BMI of 26. I am otherwise healthy 34 year old. On March 29, my state opens up eligibility to the next group which includes people who are overweight/obese. To give context here, my 55 year old mother with several severe health conditions who hasn't left her house in well over a year due to the pandemic will "qualify" at the same time as me.
It's easy for me, I'll be waiting until eligibility opens to the general populations. I don't deserve a vaccine because I'm carrying 10 extra pounds above my "ideal BMI". But, many people in the same situation as me won't wait.
Are you sure they are prioritizing a BMI of 26? That seems low. Here it is if your BMI is over 40.
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pfeiferlindsey wrote: »To piggyback off the COVID vaccine debate...what are your thoughts on states vaccinating people who are classified as overweight or obese as defined by BMI?
For example....I have a BMI of 26. I am otherwise healthy 34 year old. On March 29, my state opens up eligibility to the next group which includes people who are overweight/obese. To give context here, my 55 year old mother with several severe health conditions who hasn't left her house in well over a year due to the pandemic will "qualify" at the same time as me.
It's easy for me, I'll be waiting until eligibility opens to the general populations. I don't deserve a vaccine because I'm carrying 10 extra pounds above my "ideal BMI". But, many people in the same situation as me won't wait.
Are you sure they are prioritizing a BMI of 26? That seems low. Here it is if your BMI is over 40.
From my state's DHS website:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-about.htm
Beginning March 29, individuals age 16 and older with certain medical conditions that have a greater risk of severe infection from COVID-19 will be eligible. The decision is based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and supported by Wisconsin’s medical experts.
Eligibility includes individuals with the following conditions:
Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
Cancer
Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Cystic fibrosis
Down syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Hypertension or high blood pressure
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
Liver disease
Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30-39 kg/m2)
Overweight (BMI of 25-29 kg/m2)
Pregnancy
Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 or more)
Sickle cell disease
Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)0 -
I'm getting my first Pfizer dose this afternoon. Right now we're in group 1B which is rather large as it includes 60+, non-healthcare frontline workers, and those with medical conditions that put them at higher risk. I fall into both non-healthcare frontline as well as risk due to my hypertension.
I don't really think about it in regards to "deserving"...this is something that is very difficult to prioritize in any kind of "perfect" scenario. It's really about getting as many shots in arms as possible. My hypertension is fairly well controlled with my medication as well as regular exercise and diet...but I'm more than happy to get the shot.
IDK about the BMI thing...my state isn't really doing that. They're not prioritizing people who are just a bit overweight as per BMI, only those that fall into the category of obese and up and/or with other underlying risk conditions.
ETA: in my state you also don't get to just go in for a shot just because you're in a specific group. You must be notified by the state DOH and receive an event code which must be used to book an appointment at whatever venue the DOH has directed you to. Basically, when you get your text, you go do it because there's no telling when your next turn will be if you miss your appointed time.
This actually works fairly well in that even with people with certain conditions are prioritized for event codes differently...ie while I do have hypertension, others with either multiple risk conditions or worse risk conditions have been prioritized to receive their event code before me. Essentially, this avoids the whole "free for all"...just show up because you're in a certain demographic thing. No event code, no shot.6 -
pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »To piggyback off the COVID vaccine debate...what are your thoughts on states vaccinating people who are classified as overweight or obese as defined by BMI?
For example....I have a BMI of 26. I am otherwise healthy 34 year old. On March 29, my state opens up eligibility to the next group which includes people who are overweight/obese. To give context here, my 55 year old mother with several severe health conditions who hasn't left her house in well over a year due to the pandemic will "qualify" at the same time as me.
It's easy for me, I'll be waiting until eligibility opens to the general populations. I don't deserve a vaccine because I'm carrying 10 extra pounds above my "ideal BMI". But, many people in the same situation as me won't wait.
Are you sure they are prioritizing a BMI of 26? That seems low. Here it is if your BMI is over 40.
From my state's DHS website:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-about.htm
Beginning March 29, individuals age 16 and older with certain medical conditions that have a greater risk of severe infection from COVID-19 will be eligible. The decision is based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and supported by Wisconsin’s medical experts.
Eligibility includes individuals with the following conditions:
Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
Cancer
Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Cystic fibrosis
Down syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Hypertension or high blood pressure
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
Liver disease
Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30-39 kg/m2)
Overweight (BMI of 25-29 kg/m2)
Pregnancy
Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 or more)
Sickle cell disease
Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
Interesting - yeah that seems a bit extreme. I would, and did, take the vaccine as soon as I was allowed to get it personally. Looks like my 28 BMI would qualify me in your state. That surprises me.0 -
Here is our risk factor list (this level hasn't started yet here). It's a little more strict. High blood pressure doesn't even count unless you have "end organ damage" - but I don't know how they plan to monitor that kind of thing.
Highest-risk (442,000)
organ transplant recipients
hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
people with neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised
haematological malignancy diagnosed <1 year
kidney diseases eGFR<30
High-risk (292,000)
Obesity (BMI>40)
Other treatments causing immunosuppression
intellectual or developmental disabilities
At-risk (2.2 million)
immune deficiencies and autoimmune disorders
stroke/cerebrovascular disease
dementia
diabetes
liver disease
all other cancers
respiratory diseases
spleen problems
heart disease
hypertension with end organ damage
diagnosis of mental disorder
substance use disorders
thalassemia
pregnancy
immunocompromising health conditions
other disabilities requiring direct support care in the community.
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I plan on getting the vaccine but I do waffle about when. I do technically qualify now based on BMI in my state, but I'm also in my 30s and have no other factors that place me at high risk. I stay at home with my kids and while I do go out sometimes, I feel like it would be courteous to let other people go in front of me. Our state has had supply issues so I think that plays a role in my thinking - if it were easy for anyone to get one as soon as they were qualified, I'd probably go ahead and do it, but the fact that they're hard to get sometimes makes me more hesitant.4
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alisdairsmommy wrote: »I plan on getting the vaccine but I do waffle about when. I do technically qualify now based on BMI in my state, but I'm also in my 30s and have no other factors that place me at high risk. I stay at home with my kids and while I do go out sometimes, I feel like it would be courteous to let other people go in front of me. Our state has had supply issues so I think that plays a role in my thinking - if it were easy for anyone to get one as soon as they were qualified, I'd probably go ahead and do it, but the fact that they're hard to get sometimes makes me more hesitant.
In my state, we are texted an event code when a shot is available to us individually...we can't just show up somewhere because we fall into a specific group that is currently qualified...we have to have that text and event code and appointment from the DOH. This has pretty much squashed any kind of "free for all" and masses of people showing up for vaccinations...no event code, no shot.2 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »alisdairsmommy wrote: »I plan on getting the vaccine but I do waffle about when. I do technically qualify now based on BMI in my state, but I'm also in my 30s and have no other factors that place me at high risk. I stay at home with my kids and while I do go out sometimes, I feel like it would be courteous to let other people go in front of me. Our state has had supply issues so I think that plays a role in my thinking - if it were easy for anyone to get one as soon as they were qualified, I'd probably go ahead and do it, but the fact that they're hard to get sometimes makes me more hesitant.
In my state, we are texted an event code when a shot is available to us individually...we can't just show up somewhere because we fall into a specific group that is currently qualified...we have to have that text and event code and appointment from the DOH. This has pretty much squashed any kind of "free for all" and masses of people showing up for vaccinations...no event code, no shot.
I think that kind of system makes a lot of sense. On a lark I went through and found some of the locations, but then had to go through each place to schedule an appointment individually, only to be told at the end of the scheduling process "sorry nothing available! Please try again." No option for a waiting list, no nothing. I'd much rather sign up once for a list, and then get called once it's available, then waste a lot of time combing through every place again and again just hoping that this time they'll have a spot.2 -
alisdairsmommy wrote: »I plan on getting the vaccine but I do waffle about when. I do technically qualify now based on BMI in my state, but I'm also in my 30s and have no other factors that place me at high risk. I stay at home with my kids and while I do go out sometimes, I feel like it would be courteous to let other people go in front of me. Our state has had supply issues so I think that plays a role in my thinking - if it were easy for anyone to get one as soon as they were qualified, I'd probably go ahead and do it, but the fact that they're hard to get sometimes makes me more hesitant.
I feel this way too, although I don't think I'm technically eligible for any reason anyway. Where I live, it's not possible right now, unless you are in certain zip codes that are being focused on for equity reasons, to get vaccinated due to an underlying condition most places--most are still on age/frontline facing workers only, and those few places that do have underlying conditions are impossible to get appointments at. But in other parts of the state they are doing underlying conditions and I know someone getting one due to being a former smoker and a variety of others (people in their 30s) who are doing similar. Their argument is that getting vaccinated is good for everyone, but in that I know lots of older (but not old enough) people who are following the rules and not trying to find a way to get a vaccination immediately but waiting our turns, I find it kind of annoying. Maybe I shouldn't, but I do. This is especially true if we then get scolded because getting vaccinated is a public duty and those getting vaccinated are helping others. I am planning to get vaccinated, I want to, I would today if I could under the actual rules where I live, but the state's (and city's) other message is it's bad and wrong (and overly privileged) to try to jump the line, and so I'm trying not to do that either, even if that means I guess I wait 'til the end (and get told I'm not as public spirited as those getting vaccinated as early as possible).
For us, where they are open for those with "Eligible Conditions":
Obesity [note: not overweight only, although apparently lots of places won't ask questions other than if you have a condition, another way people are gaming it in some cases]
Diabetes
Pulmonary Diseases
Smoker or Former Smoker
Heart Conditions
Chronic Kidney Disease
Cancer
Solid Organ Transplant
Sickle Cell Disease
Pregnancy
Persons with a Disability3 (Not otherwise covered in previous categories.)0 -
alisdairsmommy wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »alisdairsmommy wrote: »I plan on getting the vaccine but I do waffle about when. I do technically qualify now based on BMI in my state, but I'm also in my 30s and have no other factors that place me at high risk. I stay at home with my kids and while I do go out sometimes, I feel like it would be courteous to let other people go in front of me. Our state has had supply issues so I think that plays a role in my thinking - if it were easy for anyone to get one as soon as they were qualified, I'd probably go ahead and do it, but the fact that they're hard to get sometimes makes me more hesitant.
In my state, we are texted an event code when a shot is available to us individually...we can't just show up somewhere because we fall into a specific group that is currently qualified...we have to have that text and event code and appointment from the DOH. This has pretty much squashed any kind of "free for all" and masses of people showing up for vaccinations...no event code, no shot.
I think that kind of system makes a lot of sense. On a lark I went through and found some of the locations, but then had to go through each place to schedule an appointment individually, only to be told at the end of the scheduling process "sorry nothing available! Please try again." No option for a waiting list, no nothing. I'd much rather sign up once for a list, and then get called once it's available, then waste a lot of time combing through every place again and again just hoping that this time they'll have a spot.
It definitely helps things run a bit more smoothly...though it's not perfect by any means and because 1B is such a large group, there are a lot of people (particularly over 60/65) who are pretty miffed that others are getting vaccinated before them because 1B is such a large group. Teachers have largely been the priority of 1B since mid February...which have made teachers very happy and parents of students very happy (for the most part) because our kids get to go back to school April 5 full time in-person...but it's also pissed off people who don't have kids or any real skin in that game...particularly seniors.
The other big issue we've had is that the whole system is predicated on getting online to register for the vaccine on the DOH website...at which point you provide your name, occupation and employer, any known health issues that put you at risk, etc. This is the only way you "get in line" for your event code for your shot...all fine and dandy, but there are a lot of seniors who aren't either tech savvy enough to do this or to do this on their own...or, in many cases, think they can just go see their Dr. and get the shot like they would for the flu and don't/didn't understand that they needed to pre-register. So now the state is getting a lot of complaints about, for example, people like me "jumping to the front of the line"...when in fact, I registered back in early December.
All in all, it's worked fairly well though as imperfect as it is...it looks like we'll have the entire state vaccinated in regards to anyone who wants one by mid to late April.1 -
pfeiferlindsey wrote: »To piggyback off the COVID vaccine debate...what are your thoughts on states vaccinating people who are classified as overweight or obese as defined by BMI?
I think we need to choose how to look at this, there are two obvious extremes:
* We can be moralistic, blame fat people for being fat, and refuse them the vaccine until cats and dogs have had the shot.
* We can try to keep ICU beds available which means vaccinating vulnerable people who might wind up needing them if they get sick.
The first one is cutting your nose off to spite your face, the second one is sensible policy if the goal is public health.
Remember that 1 in 4 Americans had already had a shot and that vaccinated people are much less likely to spread the virus.9 -
fitnessguy266 wrote: »Personally, I'm not opposed to being vaccinated, but I do have questions concerning long term effects within my body that have not been answered....too much to elaborate on, but you get the drift.
I agree. I have questions about the long term effects of covid too though. On balance, I'd rather have the firefighters break the door instead of the entire building getting burned to the ground. But you do you.7 -
NorthCascades wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »To piggyback off the COVID vaccine debate...what are your thoughts on states vaccinating people who are classified as overweight or obese as defined by BMI?
I think we need to choose how to look at this, there are two obvious extremes:
* We can be moralistic, blame fat people for being fat, and refuse them the vaccine until cats and dogs have had the shot.
* We can try to keep ICU beds available which means vaccinating vulnerable people who might wind up needing them if they get sick.
The first one is cutting your nose off to spite your face, the second one is sensible policy if the goal is public health.
Remember that 1 in 4 Americans had already had a shot and that vaccinated people are much less likely to spread the virus.
I'm not blaming anyone for being overweight or obese. Especially coming off a 170 pound weight loss.
I think you are not seeing where I am coming from on this. Yes, overweight and obesity carries a higher risk of severe complications from COVID. A BMI above 30 carries a 27% higher risk of severe complications and above 40%, that risk doubles. Not denying that one bit. - https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/jun/obesity-and-covid-19-can-your-weight-alone-put-you-at-higher-risk/
Based on my state's criteria, someone carrying 5 extra pounds will be in the next group. Vaccinators will be allowed to prioritize based on supply, but given that 64% of my state is overweight/obese, they basically opened it wide up.4 -
I've gotten a few "how do YOU manage to get a vaccine" when I tell people I have had it as I am 55 and healthy, and vaccine has been in short supply here.
I actually do feel a little bit guilty that maybe someone else needed it more, but I remind myself it is for the protection of the residents in my moms home that I was allowed to get it, not really for me.4 -
pfeiferlindsey wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »To piggyback off the COVID vaccine debate...what are your thoughts on states vaccinating people who are classified as overweight or obese as defined by BMI?
I think we need to choose how to look at this, there are two obvious extremes:
* We can be moralistic, blame fat people for being fat, and refuse them the vaccine until cats and dogs have had the shot.
* We can try to keep ICU beds available which means vaccinating vulnerable people who might wind up needing them if they get sick.
The first one is cutting your nose off to spite your face, the second one is sensible policy if the goal is public health.
Remember that 1 in 4 Americans had already had a shot and that vaccinated people are much less likely to spread the virus.
I'm not blaming anyone for being overweight or obese. Especially coming off a 170 pound weight loss.
I think you are not seeing where I am coming from on this. Yes, overweight and obesity carries a higher risk of severe complications from COVID. A BMI above 30 carries a 27% higher risk of severe complications and above 40%, that risk doubles. Not denying that one bit. - https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/jun/obesity-and-covid-19-can-your-weight-alone-put-you-at-higher-risk/
Based on my state's criteria, someone carrying 5 extra pounds will be in the next group. Vaccinators will be allowed to prioritize based on supply, but given that 64% of my state is overweight/obese, they basically opened it wide up.
For what it's worth, I'm taking about social attitudes, I'm not going to assume what you're thinking. I'm talking about what I see and what it makes me think a lot of people think, because decisions about how to prioritize a resource like a vaccine or anything else are made partly based on the public's values.
It doesn't seem very crazy to make 64% of the public eligible when 25% have already got a shot. Especially since production seems to be ramping up.3 -
There's some controversy regarding the states who have prioritized current and former smokers.
Without applying any moral judgement, smokers are at higher risk of death from the virus, so we should prioritize people who would be most severely affected.
That said, it seems a good way for some people to cheat the system by saying that they smoke or used to. But, as said, every person who gets vaccinated helps, even if they skip the line.
When this group opens up in our area, I may try to get my husband an appointment. He's 60, smoked heavily for over 20 years. He quit about 20 years ago, but still.5 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »There's some controversy regarding the states who have prioritized current and former smokers.
Without applying any moral judgement, smokers are at higher risk of death from the virus, so we should prioritize people who would be most severely affected.
That said, it seems a good way for some people to cheat the system by saying that they smoke or used to. But, as said, every person who gets vaccinated helps, even if they skip the line.
When this group opens up in our area, I may try to get my husband an appointment. He's 60, smoked heavily for over 20 years. He quit about 20 years ago, but still.
Oh, technically I AM a former smoker. It was almost 40 years ago, but all the CDC says is "former." Hmm.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html#smoking0 -
Looks like our county has snuck on an "additional" list beyond the one the state published, and it also includes "overweight."
Even more oddly, my provider sent a personal invitation to sign up for one of their vaccine clinics this weekend (ie, can't sign my husband up, even though he has the same provider), so I am getting mine before people who are morbidly obese or uncontrolled diabetes or whatever else is on the list...0 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »There's some controversy regarding the states who have prioritized current and former smokers.
Without applying any moral judgement, smokers are at higher risk of death from the virus, so we should prioritize people who would be most severely affected.
That said, it seems a good way for some people to cheat the system by saying that they smoke or used to. But, as said, every person who gets vaccinated helps, even if they skip the line.
When this group opens up in our area, I may try to get my husband an appointment. He's 60, smoked heavily for over 20 years. He quit about 20 years ago, but still.
There's been an uproar in some states because prisoners have been prioritized, too - since they literally cannot practice social distancing, and for many people their time incarcerated is relatively short, so if they're exposed while incarcerated there's a decent chance they would transmit when they left, too.
I think any way you put the order, someone will criticize it. And some of the criticisms might be valid. But the important thing is that they're making them and getting them out. I'm reasonably confident that it will work out and be OK. But I also have been pretty level-headed throughout this whole deal so freaking out about it now doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I can wait my turn. But would also like the kinks to get worked out so distribution can be as swift and efficient as possible.
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alisdairsmommy wrote: »SuzySunshine99 wrote: »There's some controversy regarding the states who have prioritized current and former smokers.
Without applying any moral judgement, smokers are at higher risk of death from the virus, so we should prioritize people who would be most severely affected.
That said, it seems a good way for some people to cheat the system by saying that they smoke or used to. But, as said, every person who gets vaccinated helps, even if they skip the line.
When this group opens up in our area, I may try to get my husband an appointment. He's 60, smoked heavily for over 20 years. He quit about 20 years ago, but still.
There's been an uproar in some states because prisoners have been prioritized, too - since they literally cannot practice social distancing, and for many people their time incarcerated is relatively short, so if they're exposed while incarcerated there's a decent chance they would transmit when they left, too.
I think any way you put the order, someone will criticize it. And some of the criticisms might be valid. But the important thing is that they're making them and getting them out. I'm reasonably confident that it will work out and be OK. But I also have been pretty level-headed throughout this whole deal so freaking out about it now doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I can wait my turn. But would also like the kinks to get worked out so distribution can be as swift and efficient as possible.
One of the arguments about the prisoners is many of them have not even been convicted yet. As if that matters? So if they have been convicted they don't deserve the vaccine? We had some idiot politicians here posturing about it. Of course inmates should be prioritized, just like everyone else who lives in a congregate setting and is higher risk.11 -
alisdairsmommy wrote: »There's been an uproar in some states because prisoners have been prioritized, too - since they literally cannot practice social distancing, and for many people their time incarcerated is relatively short, so if they're exposed while incarcerated there's a decent chance they would transmit when they left, too.
We had huge outbreaks at our correctional facilities here. Following discharge (since mandating self-isolation was a bit futile in some cases), they spread the virus to our "street" population. Even more difficult to control the spread in that group since they tend to share everything and rely on one another for survival. Our case numbers skyrocketed, and hospital beds filled up since these are people with multiple high risk factors. We quickly set up outreach clinics to vaccinate the shelter/homeless populations as a priority group. I think most people understood the need to stem the tide of infection for the sake of our health care facilities.6
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