Vaccine Identity Politics: Putting Seniors at Risk
THE ISSUE: A federal committee’s call for seniors to be deprioritized in receiving the COVID vaccine.
I wasn’t shocked to find that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation was to place senior citizens at the back of the vaccine line (“Vax Wokeness,” Betsy McCaughey, PostOpinion, Dec. 22).
I don’t believe it’s aimed at “white seniors.” The true reality is that this country is so far in debt that the “easiest” way to begin economic recovery lies in eliminating those on Social Security and Medicare.
Being no longer obligated to pay these benefits saves billions of dollars, short term. It’s shameful.
To use the last portion of the quote from University of Pennsylvania Assistant Professor Harald Schmidt: “Instead of giving additional health benefits to them, we can start to level the playing field.”
Both political parties are complicit when you don’t hear a peep from either side. They all have lifetime health care and pensions as members of Congress, so what do they care?
Darryl McMillan Fresh Meadows
The committee has determined that seniors, mainly whites 64 to 74, be moved to the back of the line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
What’s next? Will other medical service and treatments be prioritized and given based on racial and ethnic majority groups?
Are seniors now to be considered a burden on society and therefore expendable? Robert Neglia
The Bronx
I am quite disturbed with the interference by professors and so-called ethnic medical experts with the national vaccination-distribution plan.
Did our maker not create everyone equal?
Life hasn’t been all “roses” for anyone who has aged to beyond 70 years old, regardless of race or ethnicity — even us old white folks, who have strictly followed the COVID rules, isolated for 10 months and whose days left on earth are ever-diminishing and therefore more precious than ever.
The experts and professors should butt out and not be playing God. Gary Fleming
Wayne, NJ
Common sense dictates that all health-care workers, including ambulance crews, as well as anyone confined to nursing homes, should be first in line for a COVID vaccine.
Meanwhile, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends all other seniors who are at high risk should be moved to the back of the line behind younger, healthy people because seniors tend to be white.
This insane idea would be fine if based on best medical practices — which it is not: It is based solely on race. So why should seniors of color be penalized by a crazy scheme to social-engineer some kind of racial parity?
Instead of moving all seniors to the back of the line, why not just doom white seniors? While totally racist, this idea would still save many lives.
Full disclosure: I am a 71-year-old white male. As a former 9/11 responder, I am on oxygen 24/7, use three inhalers, a nebulizer and over 30 prescription medications. So I completely understand that because of my white privilege, I should go to the back of the line.
Bob Porch Marlton, NJ
So the ACIP recommended the vaccine be allocated based on identity rather than risk. It says there are too few people of color in the 65 to 75 age group. So they should get the vaccine last.
Where do they get this from? Is it right that an older person at a higher risk should be denied a vaccine over a younger person who has less chance of serious illness? How is this science? This is identity politics at its worst. Mindy Rader
New City