Coronavirus in Massachusetts (2014, health insurance, buy)

[bostongymjunkie]

My question would be do the other comorbidity get preference as well, if not why?

[BostonMike7]

Smoking is more of an addiction for some than a choice. I've had many family members struggle for years to quit, with some older family members succumbing to smoking related deaths despite desperate serious efforts to stop.

With that said, I understand the logic by the medical community. Smoking increases the risk of having serious complications due to Covid, and passing that group over because of some "they did it to themselves" logic may come back to haunt them if medical resources start to get overwhelmed.

They are the lowest priority group in Phase 2, but ahead of the general pop. I have no issue stepping aside for someone who has been a heavy smoker all their life and at greater risk. I am sure those folk will need medical sign-off by their Dr. who has documented history of their smoking habits. Will there be abuse? Probably on a small scale as with anything these days.

BTW, the list of medical conditions that would get you the vaccine in phase 2 is as follows:

Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Down Syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Smoking
Type 2 diabetes mellitus

If you have 2 of those, you get a higher priority than those with 1.

More detailed list here
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/co...rview#phase-2-

[robr2]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of ridiculous that smokers are getting priority with the vaccine? I get it that if they got corona it puts them at higher risk higher mortality and healthcare costs....but people make a choice to smoke knowing that it's bad for them. Just doesn't seem right that they get the vaccine before someone else who may have issues.

Also how can you really prove someone is a smoker ? Couldn't anyone just say, hey I'm a smoker so they can get the vaccine before others if they wanted ?

Get within 3' of a smoker and you'll know.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

BTW, the list of medical conditions that would get you the vaccine in phase 2 is as follows:

Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Down Syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Smoking
Type 2 diabetes mellitus

If you have 2 of those, you get a higher priority than those with 1.

More detailed list here
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/co...rview#phase-2-

I can't believe Asthma is not in that first list, while Smoking is. Absolutely ridiculous.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Smoking is more of an addiction for some than a choice. I've had many family members struggle for years to quit, with some older family members succumbing to smoking related deaths despite desperate serious efforts to stop.

With that said, I understand the logic by the medical community. Smoking increases the risk of having serious complications due to Covid, and passing that group over because of some "they did it to themselves" logic may come back to haunt them if medical resources start to get overwhelmed.

They are the lowest priority group in Phase 2, but ahead of the general pop. I have no issue stepping aside for someone who has been a heavy smoker all their life and at greater risk. I am sure those folk will need medical sign-off by their Dr. who has documented history of their smoking habits. Will there be abuse? Probably on a small scale as with anything these days.

BTW, the list of medical conditions that would get you the vaccine in phase 2 is as follows:

Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Down Syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Smoking
Type 2 diabetes mellitus

If you have 2 of those, you get a higher priority than those with 1.

More detailed list here
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/co...rview#phase-2-

It is very much an addiction. As is food (sugar), which is the root of much obesity.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

It is very much an addiction. As is food (sugar), which is the root of much obesity.

But opting for smoking cessation programs, which are nearly universally offered, is a choice. I honestly think that prioritizing those who are abusing their lungs through their actions, ahead of those who have lungs compromised for other reasons beyond their control, is ridiculous in a supply-constrained situation.

And...not that I would bank on this...but here's another point to ponder:

https://theprint.in/health/smokers-v...survey/587386/

[wolfgang239]

I think the data showing a worse outcome for smokers is the real motivation. I can see why it would bother someone but in my opinion preventing death is the direction we should be moving towards.

[Cantabridgienne]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of ridiculous that smokers are getting priority with the vaccine? I get it that if they got corona it puts them at higher risk higher mortality and healthcare costs....but people make a choice to smoke knowing that it's bad for them. Just doesn't seem right that they get the vaccine before someone else who may have issues.

Also how can you really prove someone is a smoker ? Couldn't anyone just say, hey I'm a smoker so they can get the vaccine before others if they wanted ?

I don’t find it ridiculous at all. Tying sanctimony to healthcare crises is what allowed the AIDS pandemic to flourish 40 years ago.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

But opting for smoking cessation programs, which are nearly universally offered, is a choice. I honestly think that prioritizing those who are abusing their lungs through their actions, ahead of those who have lungs compromised for other reasons beyond their control, is ridiculous in a supply-constrained situation.

And...not that I would bank on this...but here's another point to ponder:

https://theprint.in/health/smokers-v...survey/587386/

I didn't say I support putting them ahead of those who don't smoke but in other high risk categories. But they are in the same high risk group that those with other comorbidity are. However, if you are going to say smokers have choices, you also need to acknowledge that obese people do too. And the whole "choice" thing only goes so far because addiction is also a medical condition where one of the primary symptoms is continued use despite negative consequences.

[msRB311]

Ok so now some folks are comparing people who smoke to people who had aids in the 80s.