Swine flu vaccine gets hogged
November 23rd, 2009 by David ShapiroI catch grief from the city administration when I josh about the outsized egos and general sense of self-importance over at Honolulu Hale, but sometimes they make it too easy.
Last week, an Advertiser report said the state has designated 7,174 of its 50,000 employees as essential to keeping the government operating, putting them on a priority list to receive swine flu shots as the scarce supply of the vaccine comes into Hawai'i.
Some folks would probably bristle at the thought of government workers getting the potentially life-saving inoculations ahead of the hard-working citizens who pay their salaries — and snort that officials won't say who's on the list because of supposed homeland security concerns.
But designating 14 percent of the state work force as necessary to keep essential services running in a flu epidemic seems generally reasonable.
But now we learn that the city, which has only a fraction of the number of employees as the state, has designated even more employees than the state as essential and eligible for priority flu shots — 7,323 of its 9,000-plus employees, or about 75 percent.
Talk about a grossly inflated sense of their own essentiality.
The city's list of critical personnel, compiled by the Department of Emergency Management, includes not only public safety officers like police and fire, but also bus drivers and parks workers.
For comparison, the only other county to report numbers, Kaua'i, designated 300 of its 1,200 employees as critical.
Can you imagine the morale problem among the small percentage of Honolulu city employees who weren't included on the list? They must be holdovers from the Harris administration.
It's like somebody stepped into the City Hall courtyard with a bullhorn and barked, "Everybody who matters step forward."
Then the guy starts pointing around and says, "You, you and you, not so fast."
The mayor was on the city's priority vaccine list, of course — who else would wear the baseball cap that says "Mayor" on it at disaster headquarters — but, interestingly, members of the City Council didn't make the cut.
At least the administration treated the entire Council with equal contempt and didn't play favorites between the members who roll over every time the mayor whistles and the ones who don't.
But you'd think the members who recently flip-flopped at his behest on the homeowner property tax classification would have been savvy enough to negotiate themselves onto the A-list for life-and-death medical procedures along with bus drivers and lifeguards.
Better big egos than small IQ's, I suppose.
Tags: public health
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 am
Inflated egos or facts, Dave? The state provides very little in the way of emergency services, in spite of all the posturing that goes on their Diamond Head Bunker. The City and County provide all police, fire and EMS service for Oahu as well the traffic control systems. They also are responsible for our water system and sewers. This is all pretty critical stuff, so this discrepancy in the numbers of vital workers might point to actual reality of the situation. The city provides more critically important functions related to emergency management than the state and is far more efficient in the total number of its workers.
And, as far as the City Council goes...critical to city emergency operatioins????....you have to be kidding.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 am
Incidentally, buses are used for evacuation. As the Mayor of New Orleans (a crtitical worker) found out when he didn't use them. And, parks workers don't empty trash cans during an emergency they clear roads. You need to get a copy of the city's disaster response plan and read it, Dave.
If something went wrong and we weren't prepared to handle it YOU would be the first one to point fingers.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:58 am
Aloha ~
Months ago there was a HUGE outcry from the public claiming the vaccinations were harmful; that this is a global conspiracy to sicken us all; and people should shun the shot.
Now pundits claim there's not enough to go around and some are being cheated. Wall Street ran to the front of the line a week ago ... didn't hear anything about that here.
We manufacture controversy to gain "eye-balls" for our media outlets and personal posts. There is no controversy here.
Allow this plan to move forward. Anyone want a shot? You can have mine. I'm content to remain at the end of the line longer. Let's get public workers prepared; get our most vulnerable vaccinated. Support current efforts. No plan will be perfect but these are rational decisions.
Please stop the fear-mongering. We're ALL in this together. There are far worse problems on which to focus at this time.
Jobs??? Jobs??? Jobs???
A*L*O*H*A
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:43 am
they can have mine too.don't want it.washing my hands,eating good and taking my vitamin D.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 am
If this is how well the Government is going to handle something as simple as a flu vaccine, how the heck are the going to manage national health care? Let's hope and pray that the national bill gets aborted.
Aloha,
Keahi
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
Aloha Keahi ~
You wrote, "something as simple as a flu vaccine ..."
Simple? What an arrogant fool. Why are you such a hater? H1N1 came out last spring, what would this be, 6-8 months now? Our national health system identified this new virus, designed a vaccine against it, and moved to get it to more than 300+ million Americans in less half a year.
Rather than applauding America, you offer only disdain and contempt!
What private company can match this? The shortfall relates to lower growth rates of H1N1 vaccination in host eggs than with other flu strains. This new serum does not multiply as quickly as other vaccinations. A year ago nobody knew this. We are learning as we go. One cannot force incubation rates to meet YOUR personal time line. This is the process of discovery in any new area of science. Offer some respect - for once.
Second what are people paying for the vaccination? No private company could do this. Due to government funding the process is supported through our tax dollars and people get the shot for free.
If the private sector was running this show the shot would cost $500 and only our most rich could afford to be vaccinated.
BTW, what private company landed on the moon? I always forget their name. What private company secures the world? We saw how effective the private, and now defunk, Blackwater group was in Iraq.
Nobody matches Medicare for service. Their overhead is 2-6% while private insurance companies tack on 18-40%. What to take away TriCare from our service members? They might decide to use you for target practice.
I pray that one day you will end your cynical and deceptive portrayal of this country. We have many problems - in both the public and private sectors - yet lying to people won't return us to a winning season.
A*L*O*H*A
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Let's stick to spirited discussion of the issues and can the name-calling, please.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
What ever happened to "Your comment is awaiting moderation" ?
I make comments on other blogs and those commenting get a free comment while what I say is awaiting moderation. Talk about Democracy and rules. What is good for the Goose is good for the Gander. Or does this ruling apply to select few? It seems it does.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Aloha David ~
I apologize for calling Keahi "an arrogant fool" yet I noticed nobody corrected him when he "spit on our troops."
The H1N1 has sicked millions around the world; thousands and thousands have died. A year ago nobody knew anything about this new strain of influenza and this strain is anything but simple. The H5N1 strain is even more deadly. Our public health professionals have dedicated their lives, working tirelessly, to come up with a vaccine to protect us all.
How would people react if Keahi talked about Hawai'i's troops in Afghanistan this way? They protect us from human attackers. Our health scientists protect us from viral invaders.
Keahi has the freedom to constantly express his negative opinion of government ... thanks to all those who bled and died to give him this right. Yet on occasion we must act with respect and KULEANA to thank those who are protecting us here at home.
I hope all of you will join me in thanking our public health professionals - here in Hawai'i and nationally. Mahalo nui loa!
A*L*O*H*A
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
H1N1 came out last spring, what would this be, 6-8 months now? Our national health system identified this new virus, designed a vaccine against it, and moved to get it to more than 300+ million Americans in less half a year.
Scott, they better move a little fast cause there is not enough to go around to 300+ million people, that is why Dave is writing about priority lists. Hey, didn't private drug companines develop the the vaccine? Didn't know we had a national health system.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Aloha HItaxpayer ~
You wrote, "Didn't know we had a national health system."
I guess this helps me understand why you get so upset about your taxes. Aren't you familiar with the Centers for Disease Control or National Institutes of Health? How about various state health departments and their networks? I don't know who gets credit for discovering the vaccine. I believe the CDC played a large role. I do know our government is contracting production to a number of U.S. companies. Firms around the world are assisting as well.
I don't think of work in the U.S. as us v. them ... private v. public. I consider us to be a "team." Government performs certain duties; the private sector provides others.
I also don't know much about the real world, as I've spent most of my life on athletic teams - either as a coach or player. America is not functioning as an effective team. Players on winning teams do not hate each other; they do not talk down or blame each other. They focus on and compliment each other's strengths. They find how best to maximize the talents of all players.
America is losing big time right now. Nineteen extremists led by cowards hiding in caves did tragic damage to us. We weren't working as a team. The information was there ... we refused to pass the ball.
We got locked into two dismal wars. Apparently we were fooled by bad intelligence. Our troops are exceptional yet they frequently must look in garbage dumps to uparmor their vehicles. We cannot afford to educate our Keiki; we have 50 million Americans unsure whether they'll eat today or not.
Wall Street recently blew a hole in the country. They demanded no referees or rules; arrogantly claiming they knew how to play the game. Tell that to millions of families now living on the street.
Today everybody is mad and frustrated with everybody else. This doesn't take a team to the Superbowl.
We need new energy sources. Where is the private sector? We need their creativity and innovation. No more excuses. Taxes aren't that high; labor isn't that expensive now. Previous generations hurdled mountains or touched the surface of the moon. Where is our greatness?
Instead of coming here to find blame each day ... how do we add to our collective success? How do we win as Americans and for America?
I promise you there will be enough vaccine to go around. Shaft alley and I (millions of others also) are willing to wait so those in need can get to the front of the line. Let's not start a panic. If public workers are willing let's get them vaccinated in case there is an emergency. As Bongo pointed out we'll need buses to run; inspections to continue; other functions to go forward.
All I'm asking is that we focus on our greatness - not the cracks in our facade. We have immeasurable talent in this country. Yet our selfishness has run amuck. We all know this. It's time to begin working as the great team, Team America, that is our heritage.
A*L*O*H*A
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Michael, the moderation was put in to cut off spam bots. The first time somebody comments it's held for moderation. Once they're passed through the first time, they should be recognized by the system and future comments should go right through without being held.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Thanks, I understand that some comments in the News commenting can be reported for abuse by other commentors. A same format should be used for blogging. I am not a spam and get put on moderation, I bet for comments I make. I have asked why my comments are moderated and got no answer.
I appreciate your clairfying the reason for a moderation. I will watch what I say.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Dave you wrote:
"Can you imagine the morale problem among the small percentage of Honolulu city employees who weren't included on the list? They must be holdovers from the Harris administration."
I can assure you that there is no morale problem. The people included on the list are considered essential for response in case of disaster or emergency. I do not mind that I will not be called out to duty in the middle of a hurricane or flood at whatever hour and that insteadI will be able to stay home and care for my ohana. I also greatly respect and admire those that do get called out, especially the first responders of police, fire, ems etc.