Let those of us who can wait stand by

Because of our age and health conditions, it is probable that my husband and I will be some of the first in line to get the vaccine. Let others take our places.

During this horror story of a year, my husband and I have been fortunate. We belong to a highly privileged group: those who are retired and financially comfortable. We have a spacious house and yard. We are not dependent upon employment for our income. We can afford to have groceries delivered and to buy whatever else we need online.

We’ve watched from the sidelines as health care workers struggle on, exhausted, to care for the sick. Thank goodness they will be the first to be vaccinated. But we’ve also seen the retail clerks, the delivery men and women and those in other essential occupations brave the virus every single day. We see the desperation of those who have lost their jobs, their incomes and their savings. We see the loneliness of single people trapped in apartments, the parents trying to care for their children while they work from home, the teachers struggling to engage their students. We see the kids becoming withdrawn and sad without the company of their playmates.

Yes, we are elderly and vulnerable. Yes, my husband has health conditions that put him into a high-risk category. But why should we be near the front of the line for vaccination? We could easily continue to keep ourselves isolated from other people, as we have done for the past nine months. It would be no significant hardship for us. Much as we would like to return to a normal, sociable life, we can wait. Let those who need to get back to work, to school, to their normal productive lives go first.

My suggestion to those responsible for allocating vaccination priorities is this: Let us have the option to hand our place in line to someone who needs it more. You can call us again later.

Judith Leggett, Escondido