Two People Dressed as Elderly Women to Get the Covid-19 Vaccine. It Didn’t End Well for Them

Summary

Two young women in Florida attempted to receive a second Covid-19 vaccine dose by disguising themselves as elderly women, leading to a warning and potential arrest, while in Los Angeles, teachers at a wealthy private school were vaccinated ahead of public school teachers, sparking equity concerns.

Abstract

In a brazen attempt to skip the vaccination line, two women under the age of 45 in Florida dressed as elderly individuals to receive their second Covid-19 vaccine shot, despite already having received their first dose. Their plan was thwarted by healthcare officials who recognized the ethical and practical issues with their actions, including the potential wastage of vaccine doses and the selfishness of jumping the queue. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, a group of teachers from an affluent private school were able to get vaccinated through a "special program," while teachers from the larger public school system, including LAUSD, were still waiting for their turn, highlighting disparities in vaccine access based on wealth and privilege. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the prioritization of vaccine distribution and the importance of adhering to public health guidelines.

Opinions

The actions of the two women in Florida were deemed selfish and wasteful by a police officer, as they attempted to receive a second vaccine dose ahead of schedule.
The police officer's comments suggest that the women were aware of the wrongfulness of their actions but chose to proceed anyway, indicating a lack of remorse or understanding of the broader implications of their behavior.
The vaccination of private school teachers in Los Angeles through a "special program" is seen as an example of privilege and inequity in vaccine distribution, as public school teachers were not afforded the same opportunity.
The head of the private school in Los Angeles expressed a desire for all educators to be prioritized for vaccination, but this statement is juxtaposed with the reality that their school's actions contributed to the very inequities they claim to oppose.
The article conveys a clear stance that guidelines set by health officials should be followed, and that those with influence or resources should not exploit these for early access to vaccines at the expense of more vulnerable populations.

Skipping the line is wrong on so many levels

In Florida, two individuals dressed up as “grannies” in hopes of receiving the Covid vaccine shot. According to the Washington Post, both women “wore bonnets, gloves, and glasses to disguise themselves as older than 65.” Both women were under the age of 45.

Each woman presented a CDC vaccination immunization card, which means that they had already received their first vaccination shot. The center did not allow them to receive the second shot. Ultimately, the police officer explained to them that not only were their actions selfish but also wasteful, since they wouldn’t be able to receive a second shot. Furthermore, he informed them that if they returned, they would be arrested.

And of course, they were apologetic after they were caught. But I doubt they learned any sort of lesson. Everything the police officer told them I’m sure they knew already. They just didn’t care.

Last week in Los Angeles, a group of teachers at a wealthy private school received the first vaccine at Northridge Hospital even though the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said they wouldn’t be able to vaccinate teachers until at least March 1, 2021.

The teachers received the vaccination through a “special program”. So, a select few private school teachers were able to receive the vaccine but teachers from LAUSD, the second-largest school district in America, can’t yet receive the vaccine. I guess they have to open those private schools to in-person learning to justify those high tuition dollars I suppose.

The head of school of the wealthy private school stated, “We strongly urge public health officials to prioritize vaccination for all educators.” Yes, thanks for stating that. We all want that. I don’t know too many people who want schools to remain closed for much longer. But I’d rather not have the elderly or health care workers die at the expense of a wealthy private school that wants to expand in-person learning.

Teachers and schools should be role models for the students they seek to educate. This means that they should follow the guidelines outlined by their city, county, and state officials. Wait until it is your time.