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Coward: Why lack of urgency for COVID vaccinations in Pinal County?

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At the recent Pinal County Board of Supervisors meeting, the head of public health gave a presentation on the COVID-19 vaccination program.

The facts presented: 10,000 doses allocated by the end of December; 5,700 distributed to health care and correctional facilities; 4,100 administered as of Jan, 6, 2021; and 200 distributed to community partners for distribution.

Pinal County’s next allocations will be at levels 20% or less than the original dose levels. With a population of Pinal County (462,789 as of July 2019) it will take approximately four years to vaccinate all in Pinal County given these anticipated levels of allocations.

There didn’t seem to be any concern by members of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors about the levels of allocations of COVID-19 vaccinations and speed at which vaccinations will occur. Without an effort to see to it that Pinal County gets its fair share of vaccines to enable us to get back to some semblance of normalcy we are in for a long period of dealing with this virus. Especially when it’s reported that there are over 100,000 doses sitting on shelves somewhere in the state.

Where is the sense of urgency for our public health? The economy and wellbeing of Pinal County residents is at risk and will continue to be in jeopardy if more effort is not exerted. Pinal County residents will continue to live in fear of illness and suffer the loss of lives, of businesses, and the risk to a generation of young people not getting the education they need to ensure economic development and opportunities for a future.

Editor’s note: David Coward is a resident of Gold Canyon.

letters, opinion, COVID-19