The COVID-19 virus has been deadly when it comes to the elderly. A very high percentage of deaths have occurred in older populations. Thus, a stated priority for almost all vaccination efforts has been to vaccinate older people ahead of other categories of vaccination candidates.
The governor of Oregon has taken a bold stand to vaccinate teachers before the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions: "With limited doses, many question Oregon’s plans to send teachers to the front of the vaccine line."
From an emergency management and economic recovery perspective, I support the Oregon governor's decision. We know that following a disaster, to get the economy of a region/state functioning, you need three things: Families have to have homes to live in; People have to have jobs; Schools need to be functioning. All three are interlinked. The length and breadth of the pandemic has put huge stresses on lower income people who have the types of jobs that require them to be physically at a workplace. Having schools functioning and kids physically in a school environment will be good for the kids and a major step toward economic recovery.
As for the old folks, like me, if you take the necessary precautions, you can live a relatively safe existence until your turn in the vaccine line comes up. Yes, there are some issues with multi-generational families living all under a single roof.
I'm reminded of the thought: "You are not wrong until you are proven wrong."
