01/01/2021
Happy New Year. 2020 was a challenging year. 2021 will have its new set of challenges.
Foreign Policy reported on a story bubbling at the US State Department that certain Trump administration political appointees were jumping to the head of the line to receive covid-19 vaccinations. Of course there were official denials, but where there’s smoke, there’s probably fire.
If some Trumpsters at the State Department did indeed jump the line, it’s a selfish move on their part. It lays bare the idea “America First” means “Me First” in their world, a position I see consistent with the administration’s approach to governing. Foreign Policy’s anonymous source in the State Department, someone reportedly familiar with events, summed it up nicely:
“There’s the irony that these politicals that are going into the office, business as usual, flaunting the mask rules, those are the ones that are rushing to get it first,” the official added. “I find that despicable.”
The underlying problem is it appears the vaccine rollout lacks organization. Any surprises given the administration’s track record? I hope the incoming Biden/Harris team can move quickly to help coordinate a national distribution of vaccine. The process must be transparent, with a clear understanding of who gets priority and why.