In this blog post, we’re focus big on vaccines: Who gets priority? Which nations have it? And who should get the credit? Then, of course, we bring you your reading list.
Enjoy.
Up for Debate: The Elderly vs The Essential
The vaccines are here. Sort of. With FDA plans to approve a second brand of inoculations, a historic immunization drive is underway. But amidst distribution snags and limitations on supply, not everyone can get that potentially life-saving shot in this initial phase.
So, as caseloads spike, who gets the holiday gift of immunization?
A CDC advisory group says the priority should be given to health care workers and those in nursing homes. But who goes next? Should authorities focus on the elderly and those with comorbidities; people most vulnerable from an infection? Or, should it go to “essential workers,” a loosely-defined term which the CDC recognizes as close to 70% of the American workforce, to shore up supply chains and critical services? An intense lobbying effort is underway, as well as… a debate. So… we thought we’d examine it, as well as what’s in store in the pandemic’s next chapter as the roll-out gets underway. To help us do that, our host and moderator John Donvan talks with Dr. Larry Brilliant, a renowned epidemiologist, chairman of the board of Ending Pandemics, and among the doctors who helped defeat smallpox… with a vaccine.
As always, let us know what you think.
David Ariosto
Head of Editorial, Open to Debate
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POINT / COUNTERPOINT Two perspectives on one of the nation’s biggest debates this week. Who Should Get Vaccin Priority?
THE ELDERLY
“Protecting the elderly will not only save the most lives, it will also get everyone back to work quickly. The main reason for most people to stay home if they can is to protect the vulnerable.”
– NICOLE HASSOUN, The Hill
TEACHERS
“If vaccinating teachers allows schools to reopen, the social and economic benefits likely would outweigh reopening any other essential industry.”
– AARON STRONG & JONATHAN WELBURN, Wall Street Journal
INTELLIGRAPHIC
Which Nations Can Vaccinate the Most?
DOUBLE DIGITS When one number tells two stories.
8 Million The estimated number of Americans to be vaccinated by the end of the year, according to The New York Times.
Should President Trump be able to take the credit?
YES:
“President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed is a big success, but Big Pharma made sure he didn’t get credit for it. “What a shame.” He’s been blamed for how the pandemic has been handled, but in fact what he did saved many lives and is a great success.”
– DAN BURNS, Washington Times
NO:
“The evidence shows Donald Trump had no role in creating the vaccines to fight Covid-19. There is nothing in the record that warrants him taking “credit” for the vaccines. A review of events shows immigrants and immigrant-led companies created the vaccines.”
– STUART ANDERSON, Forbes
POINTS OF VIEW Your Reading List
The Infrastructure Spending Challenge [KENNETH ROGOFF, Project Syndicate] Watch Kenneth’s debate on the financial crisis
A Tale Of Two Healthcare Systems [SALLY PIPES, Forbes] Watch Sally’s debate on Medicare for All
Trump shouldn’t fall for Queen Nancy Pelosi’s gambit [STEPHEN MOORE, Fox Business]
Watch Stephen’s debate on America’s financial future
The Biden team will be ‘diverse’. That doesn’t mean it will help struggling people [BHASKAR SUNKARA, The Guardian]
Watch Bhaskar’s debate on capitalism
For the First Time Ever, the House Votes To Repeal the Federal Ban on Marijuana [JACOB SULLUM, Reason]
Watch Jacob’s debate on super PACs
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