On the vaccine, we can’t take no for an answer

Idon’t mean that we are going to punish a grandmother who has reason not to trust government. I do mean that we have to figure out how to change her mind.

In California, Blacks and Hispanics are dying of COVID-19 at much higher rates than whites or Asians.

There are no city of Los Angeles or Los Angeles County vaccination sites anywhere near me. I’m not complaining. We drive.

I went to East L.A., which is about 95 percent Hispanic, from West L.A., where most white people live. Three freeways, no traffic and a whole lot of white people — friendliest 90-minute line you can imagine. We were thrilled to be there.

The polls tell you why. More than 80 percent of white people are ready to face three or four freeways to get a vaccine. Asians, too. But the numbers for Blacks and Hispanics are about half that. That’s why the site is where it is, along with mobile vans to make it even easier.

California offers vaccine codes for community leaders to distribute to people in hard-hit communities of color so they can schedule appointments. In L.A., codes have quietly been passed to those on the Westside. Did they really think it would be kept a secret? The codes made it to Beverly Hills and then everywhere.

On the one hand, we have people such as me and my neighbors who sit in front of computers all day and can navigate a multipage introduction and signup. Most of the time, the one appointment you see is taken by someone faster than you or someone who has the now-useless code.

When I say we snagged an appointment, I mean it.

Within a matter of minutes, there were no appointments available, period.

I am incredibly grateful. My second Moderna shot was last week. No line, and the only side effect was exhaustion the next day — no fever and chills, as a good percentage of those who received the second dose reported.

We don’t have enough vaccines for people who want to get it. And many of the most vulnerable people don’t want it. On Monday, the L.A. County sites opened wider to include teachers, who will supposedly get priority. On March 15, we will welcome those with specified underlying conditions to the game.

No one seems to know how making more people eligible will affect the eligible people you started with. People over 65 make up 81 percent of the COVID deaths in the country. Who gets priority?

There is, as always, an undercurrent that troubles me. It’s the “if they don’t want it, the lines will be shorter.” “They” are Hispanics and Blacks. So long as there are not enough vaccines to go around, it is very difficult to convince someone that their dose should go to a grandmother who doesn’t want it. That argument is not going to succeed.

Adding more people to the list of those qualified is a good move politically because it looks like we’re really getting past the virus. But the talkers say it could be May or June before everyone over 65 can be vaccinated.

So sick people and teachers can join the contest. That’s what it is. Teachers are used to forms. They will be serious contestants.

We have not enough vaccines, too many people who want to be vaccinated and too many who don’t.