The vaccines are coming. Looks like first jabs, per N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (Phase 1a), go to health care and nursing home workers, medics, police and firefighters, and rightly so. Second wave (1b): “Adults at highest risk of severe illness and those at highest risk for exposure.” Third (Phase 2) box begins with “Adults.”
I am 71 and in good health, retired and living alone. I am not at great risk from this virus. I was wondering if there is any movement afoot to let folks like me to allow someone younger and working, or looking for work, to take our place in line?
For progressives, the down-ballot returns from Nov. 3 are alarming. Our side has not drawn in the numbers of young voters we expected. It may be that many younger voters and nonvoters do not connect with the agenda promoted by what they view as a financially comfortable, soft liberal-Dem establishment. Yet here we have a vaccine policy that rewards seniors while those at risk in our retail, restaurant and service sectors are told they have to wait. To them, yet another example of “greedy geezers,” ensconced in mountaintop luxury, drawing Social Security, expecting to live to the age of 110, then floating away on a fluffy bed of kale, lofted to Valhalla by Angel Cats.
Time to recognize the odds they are up against and let them take our place in line. Encourage them to join us in building the bulwark we will need to survive the ecological, demographic and economic tsunami headed our way. We might work together to restructure an economy that can sustain their future retirement. To this end, tribal elders might tactfully point out that our planet really doesn’t need another app or Instagram influencer. Perhaps guide them toward welding and CNC lathe mastery?
— Larry Abbott
Asheville
Only 2 months ago many of you progs were saying you would not trust the safety of a “Trump Vaccine” and would refuse to take it. It is refreshing to see that at least a few of you are standing by that promise.
A “Trump Vaccine?” Where do I get in line to get inoculated against him and his poison?
Smart letter, smart writer, ignorant replies. Not surprising that name calling is the first response of cave dwellers.
Lets not forget to demonize the disgusting animal pigs lindsey graham, marco rubio, ted cruz all of whom downplayed the realities of the virus; yet didnt even have to stand in line for a jab.
I agree with Mr. Abbot that a vaccine should be offered sooner to those younger people who work in the public and are more at risk.
But to Mike, who must be living in the alternate reality, it is not the “progs” who are refusing to take a vaccine. From trump on down through his entire cult, it has been them who have, from the beginning, labeled the whole thing a hoax, refused to follow guidelines to wear a mask, to avoid large gatherings, and to loudly protest (with guns even) gov. shutdown precautions. Now it is also them who are crying about personal liberties and refusing to be vaccinated. It is also them who continue to believe and spread false information on social media. Trump wants credit for this “miracle vaccine” as he calls it, but has refused to take it himself.
How anyone can say it is the “progs” must be using the alternative facts.
I don’t care to take it either, but not for writer’s reasons…the recent economy, now ruined by democrackkks, was PLENTY ‘sustainable’ for helping folks’ retirements and DID !!! With Biden loves CHINA, doubtful. Pray for a miracle on Jan 6!
The “Before Times” economy was brought back from the brink under the Obama admin. Trump’s boys “juiced” it even further with huge tax cuts and a roll-back of regulations. Wall Street loved it. Yacht builders were hiring. That model is not sustainable and here’s hoping younger workers will get serious about rebuilding our manufacturing base. It won’t be accomplished by talking tough with China, but by talking reality to the US consumers about supporting home-grown production. Trump’s approach to China: A flabby, cross-eyed bulldog barking at a flat tire.
Mr. Abbott does not quite have the classes correct as to who gets vaccinated. Initially, there are three groupings 1a, 1b and 1c. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html for details. He is in group 1c based on age alone.
Got my classification form the NC web site. Either way, get the work force protected. I and my friends can wait a bit longer. We want them on our side, combine their energy with our experience? Grew up in the Rust Belt where folks could get REAL jobs with dignity, livable wages and a sense of pride. Now . . . “Do you want FRIES with that?” Can’t keep this ship running on vape, tattoo and Starbucks.
Gee, I thought the so called progressives pretended to be the big science guys. I guess just when the science fits the storyline.
As of 12/23 there were 292, 000 covid deaths in the US. More than 80% of them were folks 65 years of age and over.
The CDC prioritization recommendation attempts to use optimize two factors—spread and mortality if one does get the virus. Seniors are in the order of 700 times more likely to die from covid once they catch it than is a 20-29 year old with covid.
The CDC belnded approach is reasonable.