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The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

nyti.ms

31–40 of 369 posts

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#31
post #11

As stupid as this sounds, this is extremely standard policy in many, many jobs. Just because something is expiring doesn't mean you can use it against the standing rules and procedures.

It could introduce corruption otherwise too, selling doses that are about to expire to the highest bidder. Which then could introduce incentive to let more doses "expire". I agree that in this case it seems stupid, but the rule is there for a reason.

You are focusing on a very unlikely scenario instead of focusing on the bigger picture, the more people get it, the better it is for everyone, regardless of anyone's status. The rule is there for a reason is a terrible reason to do something that harms our society.

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#32
post #5

This is just Kafkaesque. People in a position of authority with blind adherence to rules intended for optimal scenarios. They're literally saying he should have just thrown them away instead of distributing them as best he was able. This whole thing is a logistical clusterfuck and they're trying to throw this dude under the bus. It's obscene.

>They're literally saying he should have just thrown them away instead of distributing them as best he was able

I don't understand why people make arguments like this. Throwing them away and giving them to friends and family aren't the only two options. There's a whole swath of acceptable and achievable options.

Giving doses to friends and family is a pretty bright ethical line. I don't think arresting him is the right call. But there shouldn't be much dispute that he acted wrongly here.

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#33

> Late last month, a judge dismissed the charge as groundless, after which the local district attorney vowed to present the matter to a grand jury Considering that grand juries would indict a ham sandwhich, this seems like the prosecutor is reaching just to prolong the process and pain this doctor is going through. Even assuming the best case argument for the prosecutor that he did “steal it”, he vaccinated 10 people…

While this case is quite bizarre, giving doses to random people rather than having the vaccine go bad is pretty common, and makes sense.

Except for one thing: If I am the lucky recipient of this vaccine, ahead of schedule (since I am under 75 and have no comorbidities), then what about the second dose? Do I have to get lucky a second time, the right amount of time after my first dose? (My understanding is that there have been no studies of delayed second doses.) Or am I given priority because I've had the first dose?

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#34

As stupid as this sounds, this is extremely standard policy in many, many jobs. Just because something is expiring doesn't mean you can use it against the standing rules and procedures.

You are being downvoted - but this is realistic. Restaurants trash or donate expiring food. Corporations shred perfectly good hardware instead of giving it away. Not saying it's good - but there are reasons these policies are in place. It can also result in the situations we see here which sounds like this doctor had the best of intentions and is being punished for it.

There is difference between equipment like electronics or some shit (taking stuff that going to be destroyed)

and... vaccines for deadly stuff that people NEED/MUST receive LOL

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#35
> “Are you suggesting that there were too many Indian names in that group?” Dr. Gokal said he asked.

> Exactly, he said he was told.

Amazing. I wonder how much of the charges levied against him are a desperate attempt to avoid being sued for unfair dismissal

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#36
post #32
post #5

This is just Kafkaesque. People in a position of authority with blind adherence to rules intended for optimal scenarios. They're literally saying he should have just thrown them away instead of distributing them as best he was able. This whole thing is a logistical clusterfuck and they're trying to throw this dude under the bus. It's obscene.

>They're literally saying he should have just thrown them away instead of distributing them as best he was able I don't understand why people make arguments like this. Throwing them away and giving them to friends and family aren't the only two options. There's a whole swath of acceptable and achievable options. Giving doses to friends and family is a pretty bright ethical line. I don't think arresting him is the rig…

I don’t understand this take - it’s not like his friends and family were the first ones he offered the vaccine to.

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#37
post #32
post #5

This is just Kafkaesque. People in a position of authority with blind adherence to rules intended for optimal scenarios. They're literally saying he should have just thrown them away instead of distributing them as best he was able. This whole thing is a logistical clusterfuck and they're trying to throw this dude under the bus. It's obscene.

>They're literally saying he should have just thrown them away instead of distributing them as best he was able I don't understand why people make arguments like this. Throwing them away and giving them to friends and family aren't the only two options. There's a whole swath of acceptable and achievable options. Giving doses to friends and family is a pretty bright ethical line. I don't think arresting him is the rig…

> Throwing them away and giving them to friends and family aren't the only two options.

With a six hour window, it's unlikely he's gonna be able to invent a fair queuing system on his own, and get applicants to it. The article indicates he tried first with EMS, police, etc. at the vaccination location.

There should be state-wide efforts at this; a "we might call you at 2am to ask you if you can be to the hospital by 3am for a shot" list.

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#38
Overzealous prosecution, and being told no is the one thing the government will not stand for. This feels like similar power struggles across the country between the government and citizens, where the government is determined that you will abide by its rules and do as it says, or else.

Re: The Vaccine Had to Be Used. He Used It. He Was Fired

#39

The bit that stands out about the article, to me, is > Are you suggesting that there were too many Indian names in that group?” Dr. Gokal said he asked. Exactly, he said he was told.

I wonder if it would've been a scandal if it were "Smiths" who got the vaccines...
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