On Saturday, conservative radio talk show host Phil Valentine died from COVID-19. He had been a vocal skeptic of vaccines for months. While he was suffering from the virus, his stance on vaccines changed, and he vowed to advocate for them in the future. The news of his death spurred cruel mockery from some who believe he got what he deserved.
A similar reaction came when Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas tested positive for the virus. Abbott is fully vaccinated but has refused to implement another round of mask mandates, a decision that was met with anger. In the eyes of some, his positive test for COVID-19 was nothing but karma.
There is no doubt that unvaccinated individuals are straining our healthcare system. Axios reports that 77% of U.S. ICU beds are taken. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released on Tuesday shows that “unvaccinated people are about 29 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated.” There is no question that being vaccinated is a good that contributes to both individual and community well-being.
But it is unethical to suggest unvaccinated individuals should be relegated to the sidelines or refused medical treatment.
In Alabama, where COVID-19 is raging and the vaccination rate is low, Dr. Jason Valentine will reportedly refuse to see unvaccinated patients starting October 1. In Florida, dozens of doctors walked out in protest at the number of unvaccinated patients coming to their hospital.
NC Policy Watch recently posed the question “Should the unvaccinated be a lower priority for health care?” The author, a scientist, ultimately concluded that “we should deprioritize the eligible unvaccinated patients during medical triage.”
On Twitter, actor George Takei stirred up more controversy by saying the “willfully unvaccinated … should not receive priority medical care over other very sick or injured people.”
The pandemic has exposed much about how humans relate to and care for one another. And it is not a good reflection on society. Partisanship and bragging rights must be set aside. This virus doesn’t care about political opinions. Unfortunately, too many view masks, vaccines, mandates, and treatment as a battle against an ideological enemy rather than an invisible foe.
It should go without saying that when a human being is suffering, compassion and care should be our first instinct. The deciding factor in whether or not to treat a COVID-19 patient should never be vaccination status. As with any illness, severity and urgency should be taken into account. Actions should not be colored by partiality. It is not much different than treating car accident victims who wear or don’t wear seat belts. Wearing a seat belt is a small action that can save your life, even if you are injured. But not wearing one should never be what dismisses an injured party to a lower tier. The more critical patient should always be helped first.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe. They are effective. They are also a personal choice. It is widely known that not getting vaccinated may result in severe illness or death. An additional consequence should never be limited or withheld care.
In the midst of this pandemic, some are forgetting the humanity of others. It should be remembered in the midst of disagreement or disdain. There is simply no room for mockery, indifference, or active cruelty in the face of even the most tragic choices.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
