Vermont Governor Green-Lights Minorities For Vaccination Ahead of White Residents

Connor Grant | April 2, 2021
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In a rather shocking move, Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R) announced on Thursday that black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) in his state are now eligible to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination, more than two weeks before it will be made available to the general public. 
 


According to healthvermont.gov, the following groups are now eligible to register for the vaccine:

  • People 50 years and older

  • People 16 years or older with high-risk health conditions

  • Parents and primary caregivers of children with high-risk health conditions

  • Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC)

  • English language learners and people in immigrant/refugee communities

  • Health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities

  • People who work in the public safety system

  • School staff and child care worker


So while all other groups that are eligible to register for the vaccine are either at high-risk or essential workers, minorities and immigrant communities are now eligible to register simply because of the color of their skin.

Vermont is currently planning to open vaccine registration to all citizens over the age of 16 by April 19. 

RELATED: Montana Gov. Signs Bill to Ban Sanctuary Cities from State: 'We are a Nation of Laws'

Scott received backlash on social media following the announcement, with some users calling the move illegal, as it may violate the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 
 


In addition to the issue of legality, Vermont will likely face challenges in filtering BIPOC households as people are allowed to identify as any race they please in present-day society. Also, besides the obvious question of why BIPOC should receive the vaccine first, why should non-BIPOC (i.e., white people) living in households with individuals representing minority races get the vaccine before other white people?

The whole thing makes no sense.  

 

 

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