Gov. Charlie Baker's mishandling of the COVID-19 emergency

It's quite clear that Charlie Baker is inept in his handling of the health emergency. The Boston Globe, which had been giving Baker a "free pass," finally published an expose on his mishandling of the vaccine rollout. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/23/metro/massachusetts-lagging-most-other-states-covid-19-vaccination-rollout/

Massachusetts is in the BOTTOM THIRD of all states in our percent vaccinated. And one third of our vaccines are just sitting on shelves. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html 

The governor's overly bureaucratic "plan" isn't working. He delayed the implementation of a computerized system, requiring paper forms to be manually completed, entered, and repeatedly reentered. Massachusetts, a hub of innovation, has one of the least computerized vaccination system - far worse than most other states. 36 states are doing better, including NH, NY, CT, RI, VT, ME. These states are way ahead of us, despite our world-class hospitals. Bigger/smaller states, rural/urbanized states - ALL states are doing a better job. 

Baker's lieutenants in charge of administering this alleged plan are obviously incompetent. This is why a cleaning crew unplugged a freezer destroying nearly 2000 vaccines - no training, no guarding, no management. While other states have created vaccination centers, we have just one...

Baker is touting Gillete stadium as a HUGE step in getting the vaccine out, at a rate of 5000/day. At 6.8 million residents, at this rate, it will take 7.5 YEARS to vaccinate the state's population. We need to vaccinate 5000/HOUR at a minimum.

Foxboro is pretty much far from everyone (apologies to people who live nearby). There should be vaccination centers throughout the state: Boston, Lowell, Lawrence, Lynn/Salem, Worcester, Springfield, Fitchburg, New Bedford, Fall River, Pittsfield, Great Barrington, and so on. This is how New York is tackling the problem. But Baker isn't learning from what's successful.

The greater question is WHY? Some people believe that Charlie Baker clearly doesn't give a sh-t how many people die of COVID19. His concern is business, not people. Others claim that as a Republican, he is looking for a solution by private business - that magically a corporation like CVS will rescue us. Although this may seem like a viable solution, what's most important is to look at what's worked worldwide. And the only rapid vaccination system that has worked is the establishment of a governmental vaccination centers.

There's a COVID death in Massachusetts every 20 minutes on average. Who will be next while Baker bungles this? Your friends? Your family? YOU??!!!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Don’t Confuse What Goes on in This Building with Democracy

Costs and Risks of Cambridge's Proposed Municipal Internet System

Ten ordinances to combat climate change locally