Vermont government Phil Scott (R) this week condemned the ‘racist’ response he received to the state to prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for minority communities.
Scott on Monday issued a statement in which he defended the state’s decision to prioritize blacks, natives and other coloreds for vaccinations. Vermont currently limits widespread vaccine admissions to people 40 and older, but on Thursday allowed entry to people 16 and older.
The governor first announced the suitability decision last tuesday as an attempt to reduce the gap in vaccination rates among coloreds and white populations. He said 20.2 percent of those in minority communities received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, compared to 33.4 percent of non-Hispanic whites.
Scott, however, said Monday that his office and the Department of Health in Vermont were subject to “hate attacks” over the decision.
‘The legacy of racism in America, and in Vermont, continues to cause much anger and fear. “Recently, my office, the Department of Health and the hardworking people we are vaccinated with have been subjected to poisonous and inappropriate comments on social media and other forums regarding this decision,” he said.
“That, too, is unacceptable. “This is proof that many Americans and many Vermonters still have a lot to learn about the effects of racism in our country and how it has affected public policy over the years,” he continued.
Scott added that there was no excuse for attacking fellow residents, especially not with “comments that include racist insults.” He noted that hate speech and prejudice can end tragically.
‘Words matter. “I encourage everyone to consider the meaning of their words from another person’s point of view, as well as the consequences of how our own words can affect the well – being of others,” Scott said.
“At a time when technology is one of the only ways many people can be connected, I beg all of us to respect each other,” he said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long recognized that colored communities are there greater risk severe outcomes due to COVID-19 compared to white, non-Hispanic populations.
However, among those who received at least one vaccine dose, 65.7 percent, according to whites, CDC data, much better than communities of color.