MURPHY: I must push back on the false narrative that we’re vaccinating smokers while not vaccinating another group.
We have a limited supply of vaccines from the federal government – roughly 100,000 additional doses coming in per week.
Our first priority must be to vaccinate those at higher risk due to age or other health factors that put them at a greater vulnerability for severe COVID.
This is a respiratory virus.
Our goal is to save every life possible through facts and science.
Smoking puts someone at a higher risk of a more severe case of COVID. In this, we are in agreement with CDC guidance.
Let’s be clear: in our new eligibility, we are vaccinating educators, transit workers, grocery store workers, and many other frontline workers.
I understand the optics here, and that attacking folks who took up the habit of smoking and who are now addicted may be politically expedient.
But we are stuck in a position where we have to prioritize our limited vaccine doses based on medical fact and not political want.
We need to save lives, and we need to protect our hospitals from a patient surge.
We are following CDC guidance, which is backed up by numerous medical experts.
Let’s not fall down a rabbit hole of breaking people down in categories of Job A versus Job B and who is more politically favorable to vaccinate.
The correct comparison is: Are you more vulnerable to a severe case of this virus or are you not more vulnerable?
Our job is to focus on vaccinating vulnerable residents first.
What we need to end this divisive and unproductive debate is an increase in our vaccine supply. For that, we need a federal administration that will unleash the process to meet demand.
“Smoking puts someone at a higher risk of a more severe case of COVID. In this, we are in agreement with CDC guidance.”… good thing I just started smoking ???? this week!!! ????????????
He claims its a false narrative and then goes on to prove its correct … smokers to the front
So my non smoking friends if you want the vaccine check the smoker box when you register (If a man with a penis can identify as a woman y’all can identify as smokers)
Bill McDermott it’s to unburden the hospitals…smokers have damaged lungs – Covid is a virus that attacks the respiratory system therefore they are most likely to end up in the ICU on vents. While you may not agree with it doesn’t change the facts of what’s happening. While its not “fair” or politically correct to give them priority, it makes the most medical sense.
Erin Kristy Cody I honestly don’t give a rats ass who gets the vaccine 1st
Just pointing out that he claims it is a false narrative and goes on to confirm narrative is correct
Bill McDermott he needs to stick to his convictions it doesn’t help if he is flip flopping i can agree with you on that
Bill McDermott I smoked once, but didn’t inhale. Does that count?
I think if you smoked candy cigarettes it counts
Bill McDermott true bullsh*t. It’s their choice to smoke. They know the consequences. Cancer etc.
Always blaming someone else because he is an idiot
Yes you can identity as a smoker !!????
All of the sudden all the people who where calling people selfish because they wanted their freedoms back lol now are being selfish hypocrisy at its finest
Gabe Kelly this is true
So if you OD you get free Narcan, now if you are a smoker you get to move up the line to get your Covid vaccine bypassing those that didn’t make poor life choices but have a real health issue they didn’t ask for.
Who are they bypassing with “real” medical issues.
It has truly become an upside down clown world. Make bad decisions, get things.
What we really need is to end your term as Governor. Are you going to include marijuana smokers as well?
Harold Draken Doubt it, because they can’t get their act together to legalize it. Wanna bet they do just before Primary election?
Harold Draken that’s what I’m going to tell them to get myself a spot. I quit cigarettes 2 years ago but I smoke weed, sign me up! Lol
Don’t blame smokers because the governor is a fucking idiot. I smoke, and I’m a very courteous smoker. I won’t get this vaccine if they came and delivered it. How one idiot compares it to Narcan, just stupid. Get a life, my cigarette tax pays enough in this state that I should go to the front!
Rich Cangiano hey good point on the taxes, didn’t even cross my mind lol
Smokers should go to the front of the line…. they are the biggest tax payers. 1 million smokers in nj at $3.20 per pack
James Strodel news flash, you literally don’t have to buy them.
Jill Marie Stelman news flash ????. I don’t smoke….
Jill Marie Stelman and btw just think what your taxes would be if nj didn’t have smokers bringing in more than 3 million a day in taxes…. do the math ????. They deserve a bullshit vaccine that may or may not work
James Strodel that I agree with. (The taxes part) Which is why I’ll be leaving this state ASAP.
So he passes the blame on again .. take responsibility for your actions
All about the dollars.. TAX DOLLARS that is
Stupid. How are you going to prove you are a smoker? Buy a pack and take them with you as proof? Letter from a doctor?Come on-nursing home people are a top priority.You chose to smoke-not my problem!
You’re social media comments are changing the world.
Everyone fighting over being first to get this vaccine.. I can give to Fs .. I am not planning on taking it at all .. Keep fighting for something that has had no time to record long term problems yrs to come.. ????
We just have to have faith that our governor and his advisers are smarter than the rest of us!
Must be awful being taken out of context ????????♀️
In the United States, smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, 32 percent of coronary heart disease deaths, and 79 percent of all cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One out of three cancer deaths is caused by smoking.
Don’t worry about covid
Why do we use alcohol on arm of the Death Row immate being injected, so they don’t get infection?
To those self-righteous of you that think you’re saving the world by paying cigarette taxes – you’re also part of the reason my healthcare is so high.