* Sigh…
* Good point…
* Not even remotely as severe, and Leader McConchie has really stepped up about the insanity in DC, but still a starkly mixed message tweeted in sequence…
…Adding… I forgot I had this prisoner inoculation response in my in-box. From Jordan Abudayyeh…
The facts are clear: despite taking all precautions, prisons across the nation and in Illinois have had major outbreaks with hundreds of staff going in and out every day. As a result, the risk of infection for incarcerated individuals and staff working in the facilities has been very high. The federal government’s guidance is clear that because of the high risk of infection, incarcerated individuals should be vaccinated in Phase 1B, along with personnel. Indeed, the federal Bureau of Prisons has already been vaccinating federal inmates.
If Donald Trump had invoked the Defense Production Act to produce more vaccine or encouraged people to wear masks to prevent infections, we wouldn’t find ourselves with such scarcity and rapid spread.
Background…
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/phased-implementation.html
“Increased rates of transmission have been observed in congregate living settings. Based on local, state, or territorial epidemiology and implementation considerations, jurisdictions may choose to vaccinate persons who reside at congregate living facilities (e.g., correctional or detention facilities, homeless shelters, group homes, or employer provided shared housing units) at the same time as the frontline staff, because of their shared increased risk of disease. CDC, 12/20)”
Deaths from COVID per 10,000:
DOC staff – 1
DOC inmates – 24
IL Adults – 18
The state’s only departure from ACIP and CDC guidance has been to lower the age from 75 to 65 for those in Phase 1B, a policy change that days later the federal government decided to adopt as well.
The goal is to get as many high risk individuals vaccinated as quickly as possible and the state is committed to following the best practices from the experts to accomplish that goal.
…Adding… Leader McConchie response…
“All human life is precious and prisoners deserve to be vaccinated along with the general population,” said Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie. “Additionally, I believe inmates with pre-existing conditions that put them at greater danger of death from COVID-19 should be vaccinated along with those with pre-existing conditions in the general public. The point is that people with pre-existing conditions who are at the highest risk, whether they be incarcerated or in the general public, deserve the opportunity to be vaccinated next. Right now, it’s not even an option for those under 65 with high risk medical conditions to get the vaccine, even if a doctor insists it is needed to help protect their life or health.”
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:22 am:
And now back to our regularly scheduled dog whistles of “Chicago” voters.
- Fly like an eagle - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:25 am:
McConchie needs to be more moral.
- Nagidam - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:29 am:
The Prisoner vaccine issue is a difficult one all around. The state is liable for their wellbeing. Not vaccinating them when they really cannot social distance I think could put the state on the hook for any lawsuits. Maybe I’m wrong. I think this is the right decision by the Governor. On the other hand this is a horrible image politically. Next election roll out a couple kids whose diabetic mom died weeks before she was eligible for the vaccine. The hit writes itself.
- Essential State Employee - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:31 am:
==The federal government’s guidance is clear that because of the high risk of infection, incarcerated individuals should be vaccinated in Phase 1B, along with personnel==
Should this same rationale also put all State Employees (both essential and non-essential in all agencies) in the Phase 1B vaccination group?
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:32 am:
I read on this blog months ago that wait till public funds out prisoners will get vaccinated before other people. I guess here it comes. I don’t know much about McConchie but I think I read somewhere he has a degree in ethics? Must have been a short course. I suggest he proposes classification for prisoners. Life sentences last, sex offenders, manslaughter. He could beat this to death.
I think it appropriate he posted this on King Day shows he has no clue
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:36 am:
===in the Phase 1B vaccination group? ===
Take it up with your union.
- Unionman - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:38 am:
At least we are not NJ, where they have put front line teachers behind 2 million smokers.
- Retired and Still in Illinois - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:48 am:
I would also propose we not feed prisoners until all not incarcerated people have had their fill, along with no medical care for prisoners until healthcare for all is achieved. I think this was in the Bible on how Jesus preached to treat prisoner. s/
- Roman - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:51 am:
@Nagidam absolutely nails it. Tremendous political peril in this for the governor.
Good luck convincing the million and a half seniors in Illinois who’ve been locked in their homes for 10 months reading their peers’ obituaries that this is the way to go.
I think the better path would have been to double down hard on vaccinating prison staff and any inmate on the verge of release in the first wave.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:54 am:
Some people really seem to struggle at the concept that human beings are human beings and remain human beings and that human rights are inalienable. Dr. King made it very clear that all he was asking for was for us to be true to what we said on paper.
We have established at this point that there are millions of voters in Illinois that have no intention of ever holding themselves or their actions to account and maybe we should recognize that an appeal to the better angels of our nature cannot succeed in reaching those that have dispatched all measures of their virtue.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:09 am:
Anyone who lives in any kind of group situation and the people who work in those places can have my place in line if I’m ahead of them. I can stay 6-10 feet away from people most of the time. They can’t.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:10 am:
Almost forgot–woohoo Alderman Martin!
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:12 am:
My parents are quite elderly, and I am beyond anxious for them to get vaccinated, but at least they have some ability to protect themselves (they are still independent). Prisoners do not. I don’t have a problem with them being in the priority group. I DO have a problem with people who refuse to wear masks, as well as governors and legislators too ambitious to put science ahead of reelection chances during a pandemic.
- thoughts matter - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:21 am:
My parents are in assisted living. They have a two bedroom apartment in which to socially distance from other residents. Inmates do not. Inmates have little control over their environment. I don’t have a problem with inmates getting vaccinated along with residents of long term care centers. People need to remember that many of those inmates are in for relatively minor or non-violent offenses. They aren’t subhuman just because they broke the law. Plus vaccinating them protects the staff and the families of the staff and also may allow for visits with loved ones again. Something that humans need. Sometimes people’s moral superiority is just beyond reason.
- Ms. Crabby - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:21 am:
Regarding prisoners being prioritized for Covid vaccination… We had this discussion at our house yesterday. My opinion is that healthcare is (or should be) a right, not a privilege. Prisoners live in a congregate living environments and thus should be immunized as soon as possible. Their right to healthcare should not be denied to them because they have been convicted of crimes.
That said, this is going to be a PR nightmare for JB. It’s a very tough situation to be in. But, he knows what the right thing is to do, and he’s doing it. I applaud him for that.
- Halsted Street Area - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:21 am:
The best thing about Capitol Fax is it’s a website that focuses in on national issues.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:27 am:
18-22 year old prisoners getting prioritized for vaccines doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but over complicating things is worse than just getting the vaccine in as many arms as possible.
- Froganon - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:38 am:
Health care workers, those living/working in congregant living places (including all prisoners), teachers, front line workers (from grocery store workers to police officers) should receive vaccines first. Those, like me -over 65, moderate health issues, able to isolate can wait. I’m happy to give my place in line to anyone on the front lines of this.
- WestBurbs - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:51 am:
How about we move to the back of the vaccine line the restaurant owners who opened in violation of law, those indoor dining in violation of law, and established anti-maskers?
- Country Dweller - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 12:00 pm:
*How about we move to the back of the vaccine line *
Such nice people you democrats are.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 12:12 pm:
Representative Mary Miller quoting Reverend King.
The late comedian Paul Lynde would surely say “Oh, that’s rich.”
- no_antonio - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 12:33 pm:
*How about we move to the back of the vaccine line * but move the folks convicted of real crimes to the front
- Birds on the Bat - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:05 pm:
Such nice people you democrats are.
And this thread is about the hypocrisy of republicans. You just can’t make this stuff up.
- Citizen Kane - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:07 pm:
We are going to follow the science and the experts - except on prisoners.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:23 pm:
“Such nice people you democrats are.”
Your tears won’t move you up in line.
– MrJM
- Lurker - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:25 pm:
I’m curious about the countries doing the opposite of us. They are telling retired people that are not in group homes to stay home and wait for the vaccination as they prioritize all workers as they are more likely to need to leave home, contact others and spread the disease.
Unfortunately we will not be able to get real data as every country needs to brag that they are making the right decisions on the virus and skew the numbers accordingly.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:25 pm:
=== Such nice people you democrats are.
And this thread is about the hypocrisy of republicans. You just can’t make this stuff up.===
Can you amplify your rant?
Saying “Democrat” as a slam prolly is a good place to see where the plank resides in your own eye.
To the post,
Like anything, the MLK Day hypocrisy is predicated on seeing people for 365/6 days a year, not a single day with 280 characters of seeming smart words that aren’t in conjunction to actions.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:40 pm:
=Should this same rationale also put all State Employees=
Consider a career change. Or have some cheese with that whine.
- LakeCo - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 2:11 pm:
=Such nice people you democrats are.=
Republican willingness to put lives at risk by refusing to wear masks or follow public health directives is AOK, but when Democrats try to hold this behavior accountable, they’re mean. And they say liberals are snowflakes.
- MyTwoCents - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 5:06 pm:
1) State employees should be treated just the same as private sector equivalents. Employees who interact with the public should be a higher priority than office workers.
2) Anybody in any type of congregate care facility, including prisons, should have a higher priority for vaccines, period. Not only is it logical to stop the spread but it helps ease the burden on rural hospitals. I don’t know how many prisoners have been hospitalized due to COVID but where many prisons are located it doesn’t take many to overwhelm the hospitals.
- Frank talks - Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:58 pm:
Any chance there will ever be a post that AFSCME members don’t complain?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 12:04 am:
No such luck, Frank. lol