While the reasons for the poor performance of Maryland in distributing its supply of vaccines may be unclear right now I would suggest that the decentralized system of distribution may be a factor. If you want to try and get an appointment for the vaccine you now have to go onto a Maryland.gov website and register at a variety of locations administering the shots. You don't know which one gives you the best chance to get an actual appointment. Some locations are at the public health department, some at Giant grocery stores or Walmart, and others are at hospitals. The priority at each location can be determined differently and there is no information on how much vaccine each has or when they will have it. This uncertainty isn't always the fault of the locations as they don't know from week to week how many vaccines they will have either. When you have a decentralized distribution system from the federal level down to the local distribution sites you shouldn't expect to have a well-functioning operation. This decentralized system attempting to deliver a complex vaccine with a short unfrozen shelf life will result in a distribution that may not be equitable or efficient. The frustration of people seeing this as a life-saving vaccine or just a possible way to resume some normalcy to their lives may cause some political costs to elected officials just as a snowstorm with unplowed streets has defeated mayors in the past.
As we deal with a troubled distribution system we see a similar decentralized system of social distance restrictions being applied from state to state and county to county often based on the political party in power in each. Republicans take a more liberal position of keeping businesses open and Democrats take a more restrictive position. Here in Maryland, as in many other states, we seem anxious to relax restrictions much quicker than reapplying restrictions. Any dip in the number of cases seems to be enough justification to quickly relax restrictions but the lag in reimposing restrictions seems to take a longer period of increase in cases. The scientists had been warning of the surge that was coming after the holidays but new restrictions were not imposed during the holidays to limit the surge but only after the holidays when the surge occurred. I can understand the political calculations of elected officials not wanting to deal with the public wrath at having holiday plans limited but profiles in courage are not made by doing the popular thing but the rational course of action. What is the cost in deaths that we choose to keep bars and restaurants open? Maybe we can split hairs and be comfortable with our choice to make them close at 10 pm since we know that the virus only spreads after 10 pm.
P.S.
The poor performance of the state in getting people vaccinated is not the case fortunately in Howard County that has distributed 98% of the vaccine they have received. We should once again be proud of living in a County as well run as Howard County.
3 comments:
So making Seniors(75+) stand outside for an hour or more to get vaccinated in 20 degree weather in Howard County is something we should be proud off. I would only ask our leadership, Dr Calvin Ball, to personally and routinely visit vaccine sites to determine what the problems are personally .
Has this occurred in Howard County?
Yes it has. 75+ year olds stood outside for at least half an hour on February 22nd. No accommodations were made for people with canes and walkers. If not for the kindness of people in line who agreed to hold my place while I sat in my car, I would have had to go home without receiving my vaccination. I hope things improve for my second vaccination.
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