DUE to my age (70+) and my medical condition (MS) I am likely to be in one of the earlier groups to get the vaccine. My wife, as my principal carer, and due to her age, is also looking forward to an early “jab”. Will we accept vaccination? You bet we will!
But (and there is always a “but”!) Covid has brought many problems to our country and its citizens. There is the virus itself – with the risk of serious illness or death! But also to be considered might be: our mental wellbeing; the national economy; jobs and family economics; and growing inequalities across society.
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Our political leaders must attempt to balance all of these factors, and probably many that I have not mentioned.
I would not necessarily give all older couples – such as my wife and I – routine, priority vaccination. Sure, our life can be tedious and we miss easy and regular contact with our friends and family. We want to visit galleries, go to the cinema, enjoy a meal in a nice restaurant and perhaps visit a pub from time to time, but we get by and we can ensure, by isolation, to stay virus-free and in good health.
Lucy Airs was among the first to receive the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine at Pentlands Medical Centre in Edinburgh
Others, age apart, are not so fortunate. We should consider, for example, the mental health of those who, regardless of age, face isolation and grinding loneliness. Care home workers and care home residents – along with nurses, doctors and home carers – should certainly be priority vaccine groups, but what of those who (if they are to do their jobs effectively) must come in contact with others? These could be teachers and other education staff, shop workers, dentists, opticians, chiropodists, hairdressers and beauticians, hospitality workers. Our society is a complex machine These groups, and others, have an important, if not to say essential, role in keeping this machine running smoothly.
Nicola Sturgeon pointed out that we do not have limitless supplies of vaccine immediately available, and if one group is slotted into the queue, then some group/s must fall back.
I accept this, and if the time comes for a revision of priorities then we should consider the needs of society as a whole.
Alex Leggatt
Edinburgh
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