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Question of the day
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller * The good news is that the number of Americans resisting the vaccine has fallen to 21 percent in an April 8-12 Monmouth poll. That’s down from 24 percent in its March poll. The bad news is that 43 percent of Republicans are saying it’s likely they will never get the vaccine if they can avoid it…
* Many moons ago, I worked for a “buying club” in Kankakee. People paid money in order to get big discounts on all sorts of things, from furniture to cars. One of the sales techniques they taught me was the “take-away.” We would go through the costs and benefits of the club and then tell the potential customer that the program probably wasn’t right for them. It actually worked a whole lot better than I thought it would during training. Some folks were adamant that they wanted to sign up, gosh-darnit, and demanded that I take their checks. I thought about that former job this week when a buddy of mine half-jokingly suggested that the state tell mainly folks in Downstate areas which trend Republican and aren’t taking full advantage of the vaccines that their allotted doses would be sent to Chicago if they didn’t start signing up for appointments. The city has been asking the state to give it more doses above and beyond its federal allotment and on top of its extra doses for the United Center. So, it could turn out to be a win-win. If the take-away threat worked, we’d get more shots into Downstate arms. If it didn’t work, Chicago (which has a lot of Democrats, who, according to all the polls I’ve seen, are eager to be vaccinated) would get more doses. The obvious downside would be that regionalism and even partisanship could be, um, injected into the vaccination program and that could cause resentment and perhaps harden opposition to the shots if people felt cornered. This ain’t some buyers club, after all. It’s literally a matter of life and death. * The Question: Should the state try the “take-away” approach? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please… panel management
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- levivotedforjudy - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:02 pm:
As a current Chicagoan and native of down-state, I hate to say this, but it would probably work. Yeesh. What has happened to us?
- Mason born - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:06 pm:
I’m hoping a lot of this hesitancy will fade as the shot becomes available at doctor’s offices. It’s one thing to use facebook b.s. to discount people you don’t know it’s another if your Dr. is explaining it.
At least I hope so.
- Shark Sandwich - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:07 pm:
They need to hire Alec Baldwin to give it the Glengarry treatment. “These are the Moderna - Pfizer leads, but YOOUUU can’t have them!”
- don the legend - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:08 pm:
Voted yes. Because Rich said it best: So, it could turn out to be a win-win.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:10 pm:
Voted yes. If Republicans can gaslight their constituency, then why can’t everybody else? /half snark
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:11 pm:
Not as a threat, but just to supply demand. If a region has a two-day supply and new natives lined up, then send their next batch to a region that has people eager to get vaxxed. I’ve heard enough stories about people from Cook traveling south of I-80 to find appointments to think we should just send those doses where there are more receptive arms.
- park - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:12 pm:
Yes, but only to not waste them. I don’t get this “republican opposition” but have to assume the polls are honest. As an R myself, I jumped as soon as I could find them, and all my ‘fellow travelers’ did the same. Haven’t these people had the TV on this past year??
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:13 pm:
I said yes. Ultimately, we all benefit from more shots in arms. Especially since these would be idle doses, we can at least vaccinate people who will keep other people safer when they travel between high and low vaccination areas, or come into contact with people who have traveled there.
I think this clip from the movie Boiler Room sums up the take-away approach well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YES9OE8Ppjo
Broker: “Now, since you’re a new account, I can’t go higher than 2,000 shares. I’m sorry.”
Dr. Jacobs: “2000? Are you nuts? That is way beyond what I was thinking. 2,000? … Listen, I’m curious, why can’t you sell me any more than that?”
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:14 pm:
Yep. Some places downstate had places where you could walk in a get vaxxed because demand was low. That was weeks ago. Meanwhile it was the hunger games up in Chicago. Send the shots where the demand is, simple as that.
- DuPage Guy - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:14 pm:
Voted yes. It’s a win-win, and really easy message to push - Use ‘em or lose ‘em.
- The Drummer - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:15 pm:
There is no downside to this.
- Nick - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:15 pm:
I can’t tell if it’s more funny or more depressing that “we’re taking away your vaccines and giving them to Chicago” could work.
Probably both.
- Hot Taeks - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:16 pm:
Instead of vaccine passports, businesses, bars, restaurants, stadiums, events, etc. should offer discounts and giveaways for those that are vaccinated. Some are already trying this like the Cincinnati Reds.
- Mamajama - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:16 pm:
If spite makes rube nation get vaccinated, by all means, do it. Folks down here already wrongly believe their tax dollars go to Chicago, so they won’t want to see vaccines go that way too.
- Colin O'Scopy - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:18 pm:
I voted no. Once the vaccines are widely available downstate for a certain period of time, reallocate them.
Let the downstaters travel the 5-6 hour round trips to Chicago like many of the Chicago-area folks had to do. We all have to take responsibility for ourselves.
Once my family and I are fully-vaxxed, let them eat cake, as far as I am concerned.
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:30 pm:
We can also use a mini-stimulus for people with proof of vaccination. $100 would probably push a bunch to go for it.
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:31 pm:
Danville is offering a free summer community college class to the vaccinated: https://www.news-gazette.com/news/dacc-offering-free-summer-class-for-the-vaccinated/article_0d24b8cf-36f2-5fe0-892a-d7873f89d49e.html
- Actual Red - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:33 pm:
I think it makes sense to reallocate vaccines if some places aren’t seeing enough demand, but I think framing it this way won’t necessarily encourage people to get vaccinated but will stoke the partisan anger. Might even make R’s more unlikely to get vaxxed.
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:35 pm:
Tell them the “Demoncrats” don’t want them to have the vaccine so it can go to “illegals”
- Unconventionalwisdom - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:36 pm:
I voted no but with very mixed feelings.
Regardless, I wish all people had enough sense to just get their shots and as quickly as they can.
Let’s try to Move On.
- PekinKid - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:39 pm:
How about instead of a sales technique no longer used, we try basic carrot & stick which still works.
So instead of Fauci saying anyone with the vaccine should not travel, eat or drink indoors, he says the polar opposite so there are some incentives for people to get the vaccine.
The CDC’s messaging has been abysmal on vaccines and they keep repeating the same errors over and over and over again.
- Mandymae - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:40 pm:
yes-ish. I just think at a certain point, if there are areas that aren’t using their rations, and other areas that could use more, things are going to need to be reallocated. If being up front about that encourages more participation, then great.
- fs - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:43 pm:
“It’s more of a Shelbyville idea”
- Dysfunction Junction - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:43 pm:
Voted No, but only because I think there’s an easier way. Make hunting, fishing, boat trailer, and other licenses contingent on proof of vaccination. At the end of the day, IDPH, SOS, and DNR are all part of the same entity.
But on second thought, Rich’s reverse psychology approach might work. After all, Ben did end up whitewashing Aunt Polly’s fence in the end, while Tom Sawyer watched.
- SAP - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:46 pm:
Voted yes, to match supply with demand and to give the antivaxxers time to see that the vaccine is safe and effective. Maybe a couple will see the light.
- Brian - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:54 pm:
Is this a variant an idea of the Trump administration for early vaccine allocations, eg) allocate more doses to states that were showing greater readiness and vaccination progress?
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:56 pm:
I voted yes. And there should be big billboards and ads with a count down clock X amount of days till your vaccines go to Chicago. And there already is partisan ship, and regionalism. Exploit it for the greater good
- Glengarry - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:04 pm:
Make it an economic based argument on supply and demand and you’ll get more yes answers and less hesitancy from the luddites downstate.
- Chambanalyst - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:04 pm:
Voted no and with very mixed feelings is a great way to describe it as a commenter put it above. It seems wrong to and people would never let the state forget it if they felt the state “took away” something that should have been available to them, even if they didn’t want it. Under that scenario it still seems like a lose-lose. So if that would end up in a worse outcome, then I’d of course rather see shots in arms of people that want them. I think the state should just be as transparent as possible and say supply is tightening regionally because the demand is dropping.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:09 pm:
I’ll say yes, because the denial can’t get worse at this point.
I think local businesses, like bars and restaurants, should be able to offer the vaccine in their locations. “The sooner you get the shot, the sooner we can fully reopen.” Their support couldn’t hurt.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:10 pm:
Reluctantly voted “yes”,
Be it true or not, I look at that picture in Effingham on another post Rich has and the honest sanity of the folks there… maybe a lil reverse “anger management” could work.
They despise She-Caw-Go… it plays out that by July 1 the doses saved for you that go unused then go to She-Caw-Go… that might cause some talking.
I can see that “brain trust of the Eastern Bloc” selling out the Democrat plan as hurting the god-fairing oppressed downstaters and they need to “take what is ours”
I mean, sincerely, the carnival barkers that are the Eastern Bloc legislators say openly their ideas are impossible yet the constituents eat it up. Why not try a lil fake news for the common good this time, lol
Voted a reluctant “yes”
- Amalia - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:10 pm:
No. there has to be a better way than to ramp up the geographic partisanship that exists in Illinois. Get a bunch of country stars and beloved athletes (careful about the region, Cards/Cubs/Sox fans, etc.) to do some ads showing their love of the jabs. Can’t a little Dolly Parton help us here? She donated to create a vaccine at Vanderbilt so she’s into it.
- Mama - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:18 pm:
I voted yes.
No one can attend any sporting or concert event at any school or professional until they are fully vaccinated.
- Dysfunction Junction - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:19 pm:
Good idea, Amalia. How about Confederate Railroad concert at Black Diamond Harley dealership on July 4th. Free admission with presentation of CDC vaccination card with two valid Pfizer or Moderna lot numbers dated prior to June 15th.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:19 pm:
Absolutely. If the supply outweighs the demand, send the extra supply to the demand
- sulla - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:23 pm:
They oughta just start advertising the fact that men who have caught COVID have a 6x higher chance of developing erectile dysfunction.
If someone started running ads on FoxNews with that factoid, US vaccination clinics would start to look like the parking lot of a Kid Rock concert.
- M - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:24 pm:
== Yeesh. What has happened to us? ==
Trump happened.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:26 pm:
Yes but no need to say they’re going to Chicago. Just say they’re going to places where demand is higher than supply.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:36 pm:
===condescending===
That’s only true if you equate country music negatively.
Think on that.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:46 pm:
Voted yes, if they are not being used, send them where the demand is. Is by sending them where the demand is, you create demand, all the better.
- wildcat12 - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 4:57 pm:
=The obvious downside would be that regionalism and even partisanship could be, um, injected into the vaccination program and that could cause resentment and perhaps harden opposition to the shots if people felt cornered.=
Too late. That’s already the case. At this point, if it’s ethical and gets shots into arms, it’s fair game.
- mykid - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:03 pm:
I would vote yes if FDA approval for kids 12-15 wasn’t pending. If a shift wouldn’t affect families who want this for their kids, then I’m ok.
- mykid - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:03 pm:
I would vote yes if FDA approval for kids 12-15 wasn’t pending. If a shift wouldn’t affect families who want this for their kids, then I’m ok.
- bogey golfer - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:06 pm:
Voted yes. It couldn’t hurt. Simple case of supply and demand.
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:52 pm:
I live in the Eastern Bloc. Got shots as soon as they were available as did most people I know. There have been and are plenty of opportunities to get vaxed locally. If others do not want shots send the vaccines to areas that will use them. Can’t help people who are willingly unwilling to use what is offered to them. They made their own choice.
- Mary - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 6:20 pm:
As an ally to POC, I want them to have the shot first. I can wait. They need it, and deserve it, more.
- Don't Bloc Me In - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 7:50 pm:
As a resident of the Eastern Bloc, I voted no to the idea as presented. Please don’t give Bailey yet another thing to crow about. I do agree that doses need to be allocated to meet demand. Local officials need to be the ones to announce that if supply exceeds demands, vaccines will start to go to areas of higher demand. Those areas of higher demand should not be named. Keep the message strictly professional. My family got our shots the first chance we had. My county appears to be using everything it’s been allocated.
- Levois J - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 9:35 pm:
I voted no, however, I’d mention Trump and only assuming these are Trump supporters. Then remind them that their former President worked hard to create these vaccines in a short time yet they’re hesitant so they likely won’t need it.
- Yooper in Diaspora - Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 10:29 pm:
I voted yes in part because it sounded like a delightful experiment and in part because I like the idea of those eager for more vaccines get them from counties that can’t use them up. However, I also liked Don’t Bloc Me In’s suggestion of not naming where the vaccines would be going.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 6:25 am:
Shots should go to people who want them. The longer people wait the more time they have to get sick.
If people don’t want them the shots should go to people who do.