I can't stop thinking about CA announcing that some #HighRiskCA <65 can get vaccines starting March 15th - just 15 days before it's expected that anyone may be eligible for vaccines across the USA.

As if this is a great Gov. Newsom course reversal.

I'm #HighRiskCovid19.

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CA spent months planning vax distribution in advance. The framework is there already.

The state's vaccine committee already planned for #HighRiskCA <65 to be in tier 1C, long before @GavinNewsom
suddenly changed course.

CA could begin vaccinating us next week.

The state doesn't need 4 weeks to "prepare" to begin vaccinating #HighRiskCA <65.

The supply issue claim? A distraction, as Gov. Newsom has been publicly delighted about his increasing progress for weeks.

Notwithstanding the news of USA's additional vaccine purchases.

There's a big issue with CA "prioritizing" us at the tail end of priority time. If vaccine 'open season' across the country starts in April, that leaves 15 days...to vaccinate multiple millions of high risk Californians - not even all high risk Californians.

It's not enough time

Another issue? The state expects to put a lot of power into the literal hands of medical providers in deciding which of their patients can be vaccinated.

This expected stipulation will only serve to confuse an already marginalized population -

A marginalized population more likely to experience reduced access to technology, assistive help & caring advocates to navigate the intricacies of proving medical needs.

Disabled people should face no additional barriers to treatment - including to the vaccine.

Sidenote: there is a common misconception that many who use accessible parking spots are faking it because we "don't look disabled." This is a myth. Truth is, the biggest issues are barriers to access & people who cause damage & shame by assuming people are faking it.

Finally, the CA change to "prioritize" some groups last minute includes a limited number of conditions.

Widely available data shows all disabled people are at greater risk of death & poor outcomes by COVID - ie, in the UK 60% of COVID deaths are disabled people.

There's no word about when other high risk folks will be eligible, leaving me to assume they won't be prioritized at all.

I'm in that group. I'm high-risk, but not high-risk enough? I'm nauseated learning I am literally disposabled. Last in line.

A month more of waiting is a month more of disabled people unnecessarily dying.

March 15th is too little, too late.

Make all #HighRiskCA <65 eligible next week @GavinNewsom.

We're literally dying.

#NoBodyIsDisposable #HighRiskCA #HighRiskCovid19

#AnyWaitToVaccinateIsTooLittleTooLate