System no better than a crap shoot

IT HAS been reported in the Journal the N.M. Department of Health is selecting persons to be vaccinated through a random process. This explains why so many New Mexicans are puzzled, anxious and concerned about if and when they will be selected for vaccination.

What is the basis for this randomization? What formula or logarithm is being used? A much better method would be a systematic one. For example, a simple priority system by age could be utilized. Persons over the age of 90 would be first, followed by those over the age of 85, then over 80, and so on. Within each age category, priorities could be further organized by date of birth and/or by first letter of surname or similar sub-categories.

Additionally, persons with underlying conditions would have first priority within each category. This would allow residents to have some idea as to when their turn will come and would alleviate most of the anxiety caused by wondering if or when they will be selected.

It would also address the fact that advanced age is highly correlated with deaths from the coronavirus, giving the most susceptible the highest priority. The current system is akin to a crap shoot. New Mexicans deserve better.

CHRIS GARCIA

Albuquerque