How come we're not "essential workers" when it comes to the COVID vaccine?

[oathkeeper2013]

Good question...

We we're all offered it through my department quite a while back, but thats federal LE. On the contract security side of things, I work a part-time/on-call gig with NASA Protective Services on the West coast and we are only just now within the last few days or so being offered the vaccine. It took them long enough, but the good part of it being that the director of the protective services division provides us with a memo so we dont have to wait in line. Instead we get grouped in with the rest of the first responders and medical personnel who get expedited service. Still, I don't know why it has taken so long to get around to security guards who have regular contact with a wide variety of individuals on a daily basis.

[JoeyTheGuard]

The number of COVID related death for various occupations has been extensively studied here in Britain by the Office of National Statistics. Security Guards have the highest death rate. The full report can be found here:

[Condo Guard]

Not that I've seen, Soper, either on the internet or anecdotally. The department hit hardest at my facility were the janitors - who also have the smallest offices and break room. (Not saying it is related, but maybe social distancing has a point.)

Knock on wood, my department interacts with customers, merchants and transients every day - no one on our staff has gotten it. (It probably helps that we move around and are outside a lot of the time.) The evidence on how badly this is affecting the homeless population is contradictory, at least in Seattle.

[Soper]

Makes sense. All those old 65 and up guards are in the risk range.

Is there any factual data that shows guards are in a higher Covid group? Not just “we are the tip of the spear” claims. Hard data showing guards are at the same risk level as First Responders/Nursing etc?

[Condo Guard]

Couple of unions in the U.S. and Canada are asking that Security be treated as "front line" personnel. I read somewhere that one city is proposing to put security and some other occupations to the front of the line for the next round, but now I can't find the article.

I think the vaccine is necessary because a year in, this is a stubborn bug. But I also understand that it was rushed, and we have enough past examples of medicines doing more harm than good that it should be voluntary. They really are playing down the side effects, and that is wrong.

If you do get it, you should probably tell your boss you are going to be out for 2 or 3 days - at least one person I know had really bad aches and nausea for about 48 hrs. But she is a health care worker, so her attitude is it was better to have a few side effects than not get vaccinated.

[Tom Horn]

Picked up a high dollar gig for the last couple months for one of the companies that makes the vaccine. Figures this week they were finally going to vaccinate all employees and contractors, already beat feet for my winter/spring vacation.

[copelandamuffy]

Tin foil a little too tight on you both?

Not at all, Just no fan of those who govern. And I am equal in not trusting both Democrats, and Republican's
Nancy Pelosi, Elizabeth Warren, Charles Ellis Schumer, Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnel

I do have some faith in Kristi Noem Governor of South Dakota, and Tim Scott United State Senator of South Carolina Both
would be excellent Presidents Noem and Scott would be good ticket for the GOP in 2024

My lid is doing just fine. II is wacko Main Stream Media, and the crap down in Washington that need fixing

[Soper]

Tin foil a little too tight on you both?

[copelandamuffy]

What I'm hoping is that they don't actually start forcing this goddamn vaccine on everybody

I am seeing politician's shooting up with this vaccine. That includes Pence, and Biden
How do we know they are really pumping this juice into them?

TURST NO ONE BUT YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY, AND FRIENDS YOU KNOW !!

And never, ever trust Government. Local, State Federal !!!!

[The Enforcer]

I'm tired of all this bs paranoia about this little bug

How come none of this crap was going on during sars or h1n1 or ebola?

What I'm hoping is that they don't actually start forcing this goddamn vaccine on everybody

[Consolewatcher]

Because you can keep distance. You aren’t interacting to the point that others do.

I'd argue that a contracted security guard at a grocery store has to interact with people at least as much as the grocery store worker does.
I think we need to recognize that some security guards, even if they are "hands off", are at risk simply because of the environment they work in.

[Soper]

Because you can keep distance. You aren’t interacting to the point that others do.

[Condo Guard]

After health care workers, the vaccine goes to police, fire and medics. Some reports say that in that group will be "essential workers" such as teachers and grocery store workers. Nobody ever mentions security personnel - or maybe it is in the fine print and I just haven't seen it yet. (I do need new reading glasses...)