Health precautions give way
Optimism about vaccine supply may be spurring hasty decisions by government leaders, while privileged groups muscle-in on vaccine programs aimed at the vulnerable.
Here are today’s top stories. Next Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the WHO’s pandemic declaration.
Wealthy white people got COVID-19 vaccines in Florida that were intended for vulnerable minority communities, according to STATNews. Similar snafus have occurred in California and other states. These incidents increase skepticism about the vaccines among minority citizens, says a commentary in the Los Angeles Times.
Alabama’s governor has extended the state’s mask mandate until April 9, bucking an emerging trend among Republican state leaders. However, Gov. Kay Ivey said there would be no further extension after that.
Some health experts worry that parts of California are once again relaxing public health precautions too fast, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Areas that prematurely opened bars, restaurants and other gathering spots fueled the state’s rapid loss of COVID control last year.
Vaccine communications should be led by local physicians more than national leaders, say researchers writing in the New England Journal of Medicine. “Featuring clinicians in messaging is particularly important given that many people will not see their own physician when making vaccination decisions,” says the article.
DISINFORMATION WATCH
Anti-vaccine and false information proponent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a documentary that purports to report on medical racism will be released March 11.
Actual vaccine experts say misinformation like what the press release about the documentary claims has been targeted to minority communities for years, contributing to vaccine hesitancy and other negative health consequences.
That’s it for today. Watch your space, cover your face, wash your hands — and get vaccinated when it’s your turn, please.