Did LDS leaders get the vaccine because of preferential treatment?

[IHAQ]

...is a question posed by one letter writer to the SLT.

As I read an article about how all the top LDS leaders, as well as most of their spouses, were able to get their first COVID vaccine on Jan. 19, I wondered if divine intervention somehow played a role in them all being able to successfully navigate their county’s first come, first served vaccine sign-up website.
Sure, they are over 70 and are currently eligible for the shot, but the same holds true for thousands of other seniors across the state who have been vocal about their own difficulties in getting an appointment slot through the county health department websites.
I don’t seem to recall clergy being listed as essential workers, but maybe I missed it. Were elderly Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist or Protestant leaders also put at the front of the line for the shots, or is this just another example of how the Utah government plays favorites with their locally dominant church by not adhering to the concept of separation of church and state?
Craig Cooper, Vineyard

https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/letters/ ... s-leaders/

It will be interesting to see if Craig's questions are answered...

As an aside, I guess all the fasting and priesthood blessings didn't work so well against Covid-19, and a vaccination is the only thing that will protect the Apostles - what was Bednar saying recently about miracles still happening? I guess they don't really trust in the arm of the Lord, and want to hedge their bets by jumping to the front of the vaccination queue ahead of elderly church members.

[Dr Exiled]

It might have been done to promote the vaccine amid some hesitancy that the faithful may have in taking it.

[Moksha]

I think the Brethren over 70 years of age were eligible for the vaccine because their age group was currently receiving injections.

The Brethren receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was a good thing because it might help allay the vaccination resistance in the LDS population. A common murmur heard in rural LDS wards is "guns good, vaccines bad".

[mentalgymnast]

...is a question posed by one letter writer to the SLT.

As I read an article about how all the top LDS leaders, as well as most of their spouses, were able to get their first COVID vaccine on Jan. 19, I wondered if divine intervention somehow played a role in them all being able to successfully navigate their county’s first come, first served vaccine sign-up website.
Sure, they are over 70 and are currently eligible for the shot, but the same holds true for thousands of other seniors across the state who have been vocal about their own difficulties in getting an appointment slot through the county health department websites.
I don’t seem to recall clergy being listed as essential workers, but maybe I missed it. Were elderly Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist or Protestant leaders also put at the front of the line for the shots, or is this just another example of how the Utah government plays favorites with their locally dominant church by not adhering to the concept of separation of church and state?
Craig Cooper, Vineyard

https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/letters/ ... s-leaders/

It will be interesting to see if Craig's questions are answered...

As an aside, I guess all the fasting and priesthood blessings didn't work so well against Covid-19, and a vaccination is the only thing that will protect the Apostles - what was Bednar saying recently about miracles still happening? I guess they don't really trust in the arm of the Lord, and want to hedge their bets by jumping to the front of the vaccination queue ahead of elderly church members.

IHAQ, over on the thread: Some People Can’t Get It Right:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=378&start=40

I mention...again...that it is unfortunate that we see so many examples of black and white thinking. This is another thread where you are doing just that. And it isn’t the first time. Nothing against you personally, it’s something that seems to be common among many. In fact, we’re built that way and we are constantly having to recognize this and respond accordingly.

Categories of so called facts can often be a bit fuzzy and thus disconcerting. That’s one reason we hold tight to dogmatic positions. It gives us a sense of security and stability.

Regards,
MG

[Lem]

It might have been done to promote the vaccine amid some hesitancy that the faithful may have in taking it.

I hope it goes better than the mask recommendations did.

[leeuniverse]

1. They are OLD, thus in the primary risk group as well as tend to be around a LOT of people, etc. thus it's entirely reasonable they would be among the first. This is nothing problematic and simply isn't in any other situation.

If I were you I would be complaining about politicians who are NOT in any risk group taking it before those who ARE in the risk groups.
Come back then, and you'll be saying something reasonable.

2. Huh, mentalgymnast actually being reasonable and being critical of the bad on this forum? Did something change when I was gone?

[Moksha]

Did something change when I was gone?

Was the sun rising in the east and setting in the west when you were here last?

[Lem]

1. They are OLD, thus in the primary risk group as well as tend to be around a LOT of people, etc. thus it's entirely reasonable they would be among the first...

Did you read the OP? Age is not the issue:

...all being able to successfully navigate their county’s first come, first served vaccine sign-up website.

Sure, they are over 70 and are currently eligible for the shot, but the same holds true for thousands of other seniors across the state who have been vocal about their own difficulties in getting an appointment slot through the county health department websites.

I don’t seem to recall clergy being listed as essential workers, but maybe I missed it. Were elderly Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist or Protestant leaders also put at the front of the line for the shots, or is this just another example of how the Utah government plays favorites with their locally dominant church by not adhering to the concept of separation of church and state?

[IHAQ]

1. They are OLD, thus in the primary risk group as well as tend to be around a LOT of people, etc. thus it's entirely reasonable they would be among the first...

Did you read the OP? Age is not the issue:

...all being able to successfully navigate their county’s first come, first served vaccine sign-up website.

Sure, they are over 70 and are currently eligible for the shot, but the same holds true for thousands of other seniors across the state who have been vocal about their own difficulties in getting an appointment slot through the county health department websites.

I don’t seem to recall clergy being listed as essential workers, but maybe I missed it. Were elderly Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist or Protestant leaders also put at the front of the line for the shots, or is this just another example of how the Utah government plays favorites with their locally dominant church by not adhering to the concept of separation of church and state?

That’s exactly the question being posed Lem. How did they as a group to the front of the over 70’s queue? Those 70 year olds in Utah still waiting for their lucky number to come up deserve an answer.

[cinepro]

Did you read the OP? Age is not the issue:

When it comes to giving vaccines, there are two possible strategies:

1. Vaccinate the most at-risk to reduce deaths at the "end point."

2. Vaccinate those who are most likely to spread the virus to those who are at risk.

Since we have done a terrible job at tracing and figuring out who is most likely to be transmitting it (not to mention it would appear "unfair" and thus foster outrage among the least informed), most states are focusing on vaccinating the end points (i.e. those most likely to be hospitalized and/or die).

Once that strategy has been taken, the most important thing is speed, not equity. Get shots into as many arms (of at-risk people) as quickly as possible. The only low-risk people that should get shots are those that are frequently in close, prolonged contact with at-risk people. Anything that delays that is prolonging the pandemic and increasing the number of deaths.

In other words, not only is age an issue, age is the only issue (because it is so highly correlated with risk). If you want to know whether or not it was a good idea to use a vaccine on someone, simply ask "are they in a high-risk group?" If the answer is "yes", then yes, it was a good idea, regardless of their race or religion (biological sex seems to be a factor as well, so if we have to choose between two equally at risk people, and one is a man and the other a woman, give it to the man).

That being the case, there is no rational reason to object to any at-risk person getting the virus, even if they're leaders of the Mormon Church.