Alabama may be the worst state in the nation when it comes to delivering the coronavirus vaccine. Or maybe Alabama is just one of the worst. Or maybe Alabama is “not even close” to last in the country.
Honestly, who the hell cares? Just do a better job.
There is no reason for a 31-year-old nurse to be eligible for a vaccine and my 69-year-old mother to not be eligible for a vaccine, but in most states (Alabama included), that is how were are doing things.
Look, I am not a virologist, mathemetician, doctor or even a political scientist, and some of you probably think I am an idiot, but I can read.
Here is what I know:
Old people are more likely to get sick to the point that they need hospitalization, and they are more likely to die.
These two things lead to hospitals being crowded and in constant fear of being declared that they are in fear of being close to being overrun. We have been hearing this for almost a year now.
If you believe this is an issue, take care of those who are most likely to need hospitalization and those who are most likely to get that 31-year-old nurse sick.
Here is a clue:
Case characteristics on Alabama's #COVID19 cases as of 11:30 a.m. January 15 are available on our website at https://t.co/R2vuP8xY1q. Download today's 2-page document: https://t.co/q9Q4lULXJf. pic.twitter.com/moUEbYMulD
— Alabama Public Health (@ALPublicHealth) January 15, 2021
78.7% of deaths are over 65.
16.5% of deaths are 50-65.
That means 93.2% of deaths are over 50.
What we are doing is either the worst in the country or looks like the worst in the country.
There seems to be a simple solution here. Farm the vaccine out to doctors and pharmacies, open it up to those who are 65+, and get out of the way.
Get the older people shots on a first-come-first-serve basis. They want it.
Unless you are going to show me a bunch of empty vaccine vials rolling around in a box, don’t tell me this is a supply issue.
If fewer older people get sick, fewer 31-year-old nurses in hospitals will come in contact with the illness, and the strain on our systems will decline.
Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.
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