(Newser)
– Teachers in New Jersey are furious at the launch of the state vaccination, which gives priority to smokers over educators. Now that about 300,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine have been given to health care workers, long-term caregivers, police officers and firefighters, New Jersey has begun offering vaccines to anyone 65 or older. has pre-existing conditions and – the anger of teachers – anyone who smokes. “Smoking puts you at significant risk for an adverse outcome of COVID-19,” State Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli told NJ.com, which reports that there are 2 million smokers between the ages of 16 and 64 in the state. To some teachers, this seems to reward a bad habit. For them, smoking is optional, but they do not put their health on the line to return to class.
“I think the priority of smokers as a group has insulted educators” and “[we’re] quite angry, “Susan McBride, president of the Bergen County Education Association, told NJ.com. vaccines. “Anthony Rosamilia, president of the Essex County Education Association, says it’s not just teachers who are upset.” The general public isn’t happy “that a person’s dangerous habit (read addiction) makes them eligible for a vaccine before someone who chooses not to. he smokes, he says. But experts say it is a smart move if the goal is to reduce hospitalizations and health officials do not withdraw. “Our goal is to save as many lives as possible,” said a Health Department official, according to NBC New York. (Read more New Jersey stories.)