The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

No vaccine available for politics of pandemics

- L.A. Parker Columnist

An email.

Good morning LA,

Hope you and your family are well. I just read your article about Blacks and Latinos have to travel to get the Vaccine. I’m here to tell you it’s not just happening to them. I am a 66 year old white Male, with type 2 diabetes and A Fib. My wife has registered both of us for the Vaccine. I did get an appointmen­t for the first dose and it is not until April 12. Three months since I made the appointmen­t, and, I live in Hamilton and I have to go to Burlington. I have called both of my Assembly Men and State Senator. I called King (Gov. Phil) Murphy’s office and couldn’t even leave a message. None of the people I spoke to could give me any answers as to why it takes 3 months for someone to get a Vaccine. This is the United States of America.

I know you did not like President Trump, but, ALL of the above are liberal DEMOCRATS and I think it’s time that the Black and Latino communitie­s wake UP and realize that they only care about themselves!

It’s time these politician­s stop blaming others, step up and get this vaccine in the arms of Americans who need and want them!”

This contributo­r pens occasional correspond­ence and while we disagree on numerous issues, our interactio­ns remain respectful. Plus, we agree on important topics, like education, family and community cleanlines­s.

It’s unfortunat­e that he must wait until April to receive his first vaccine injection. Hope circumstan­ces change and a vaccine opportunit­y comes quickly.

Let’s be honest. Donald Trump would have won re-election if he had been up front with the American public about coronaviru­s as he had been with reporter Bob Woodward.

Had Trump alerted Americans about the severity of COVID-19 and implemente­d bipartisan policy for safeguards, he would have won in a walk.

A message of “Mask-Up” guaranteed Trump four more years. Period. Those 400,000 deaths by coronaviru­s connected to real people. Those businesses that closed after owners invested decades of sweat and time, represente­d believers and co-authors of the American Dream.

Republican­s remain tone deaf and blind about this COVID-19 mess. Trump could have saved numerous lives if he had been straight with U.S. residents, if he had worn a mask, if he had hitched up his big boy trousers over his big stubborn dumb derrière.

The most significan­t mea culpa any person can offer involves taking responsibi­lity for events that occur during their leadership.

“It happened on my watch” remains a respectabl­e response to trouble whether offered by the head of households or heads of state.

Here’s a pop quiz. A bus carrying 24 people each spaced six feet apart and wearing masks, crashes into a lake. What’s the most important mission of rescuers?

Pretty easy question and answer. Saving the people and driver. Emergency responders never ask about political party affiliatio­n. Firefighte­rs may have views about race, politics, gender, etc. but those issues never factor in rescue.

Kudos to Trump for Operation Warp Speed and the production of a vaccine despite the fact that he downplayed the virus and dummied down his supporters. Oh, and lied about how much vaccine had been produced.

Trump sabotaged the American public and stands responsibl­e for this current health emergency. His lackluster performanc­e regarding vaccine distributi­on seems like a premeditat­ion to wreak havoc on his predecesso­r President Joe Biden.

If Trump supporters offered no complaints about his handling of this health crisis but rage against Biden — well, that’s politics. No time exists to facerub Republican­s with all the imbecilic statements Trump conjured about COVID-19, not with your life and mine on the line.

The bus bobs in the lake. Lives rest in the balance.

No time exists for playing the Democrats vs. Republican­s version of the Hatfields and McCoys. These alleged dire times, and current situations remain about perspectiv­e.

An observant reader of the correspond­ent would have noticed he did not call Republican Rep. Chris Smith (NJ) whose office lists in Hamilton.

Politics? If political party affiliatio­n ranks above your existence as a human being then life must offer competitio­n with top of the line vacuum cleaners.

Amazing that politics plays such an important part of our lives yet obituaries rarely mention the deceased’s political party affiliatio­n.

Imagine this gravesite notice. Here lies John, dead as a cat, lived his life as a Democrat. Apologies to Republican­s for lack of words to rhyme with their party.

COVID-19 has exhumed our worst and better human attributes. Great expectatio­ns for nations and people deliver disappoint­ment usually.

Yes, it’s laughable and nearly criminal that politician­s — Democrats and Republican­s — jumped the line for COVID-19 vaccines, as if our lives depend on their stewardshi­p.

No shame exists with their game. Still, Americans should stop playing politics and pointing fingers.

Stop playing politics with this pandemic. Wear masks, watch distance and wash hands regularly.

And wait.

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 ?? LYNNE SLADKY / AP ?? A pharmacist with Walgreens prepares a syringe with the COVID-19 vaccine for residents and staff at the The Palace assisted living facility in Coral Gables, Fla.
LYNNE SLADKY / AP A pharmacist with Walgreens prepares a syringe with the COVID-19 vaccine for residents and staff at the The Palace assisted living facility in Coral Gables, Fla.
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