Smokers Are Being Moved Ahead In Covid Vaccine Line
This may make some people angry, but it is legal. Federal guidelines say that smokers under the age of 65, should be considered high-risk for severe Covid-19. Some states are moving them up in the vaccine line. New Jersey and Mississippi are giving the vaccine to smokers under the age of 65 right now. Many other states have put smokers among those next in line. That group hasn’t started yet, but it will soon.
Do you think this is fair? I mean technically smoking is a “condition of choice” so should it be rewarded? Why should that qualify a person to move ahead of another citizen for the Covid-19 vaccine?
According to the CDC, smoking is classified as an underlying condition. This means that smokers will be eligible to get vaccinated in North and South Carolina earlier than the general public...after frontline workers. Thoughts? #WakeUpCLT
— Rachel Brunelle (@RachelLLundberg) January 15, 2021
According to the CDC: “Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.” Among their list of what conditions qualify for putting someone at an increased risk is smoking. As you probably already guessed, some people are not too happy about this decision.
It is interesting that the same CDC recommends that you quit 🚬 in order to improve your health. Yes, it is a risk factor for respiratory disease. But it is self-inflicted. However, it still should not be a death sentence.
— KayB (@CaniacPanther75) January 15, 2021
I am not sure if I agree with this choice, but I do understand addiction is hard to break and I believe lending a hand to those who need help is important. I can’t judge because you never know why some people start smoking, to begin with. You can see more on this in the Carolinas here.
