The Trump administration first established the Covid vaccine guideline at age 75+.It was lowered to
Age 65 in mid-January. This age defined guideline is preventing blacks from receiving the vaccine in the numbers they should.The age break off is simply too high because Black life expectancy is much shorten than whites. For example black men are the shortest lived of all US demographic groups...around 68, (I believe the figure is for black men at birth, not sure what year.) In any event,I know this first hand. Both my brothers died of natural causes at 55 and 69 respectively. My dad also died at 69. Many uncles died in their late 50s and early 60s. I have one relative who lived past 90. Black women live longer..early 70s I think. I keep seeing in the media that “blacks are underrepresented in receiving vaccines”...they scratch their heads and can’t seem to figure out why. Meanwhile I want to yell at the tv...”because they’re too young to get it!”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in 100% agreement with prioritizing nursing homes and anyone else in communal living (prisons, jails, etc.); anyone whose occupation puts them at risk needs to be first in line.Others have the option of continuing to stay at home. There are many black and brown people who don’t have a choice and must drive buses, work in grocery stores, childcare, home aides, etc. in my option, if your occupation puts you at risk, you should go to the front of the line regardless of age. These people are not disposable. I I would be happy to get the vaccine tomorrow. I have three co-morbdities , but I’m too young. I am also fortunate.. I don’t have to work. I live in a large home in a temperate climate with lots of outdoor space.(There’s just the two of us now). I have access to home delivery of anything I want...groceries, restaurant meals, etc. I cFace Timeime time loved ones. I have books, streaming video, to keep me entertained. I really don’t want to, but I can wait. There are people who need it more than I. I’m really not trying to be divisive but want to raise this as an important issues. Black people are dying from Covid disproportionately and this is as indisputable as it is heartbreaking. I’m just now, starting see more about the unintended consequences of the age related guidelines on black, brown, and native populations, but not enough discussion about this. I get that people don’t want to hear it, but it is real. An inconvenient truth. Kind of like (Black Lives Matter? ALL lives matter!!! ) Seems POC are truly disposals to so many.
