In our latest dig, it would appear that we still have serious problems, because of a lack of Coronavirus Vaccine distribution planning, according to the White House. Given the size and scope of the effort involved we are bound to have some challenges, but check out the headline from this Reuters article from two days ago, Trump Administration had no coronavirus vaccine distribution plan: White House (Chiacu, 2021)
Oddly enough, this article was published by Reuters the day before Walgreens and CVS began rolling out vaccine distributions nationwide. Reuters quoted the White House as the article headline, which is fair. I consider Reuters to be a reputable news source. The headline is a quote, and it can also be very misleading without proper research. According to the article titled Walgreens, CVS to finish the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations by January 25th.
"The two retail pharmacy chains announced Wednesday that their COVID-19 vaccine efforts are already underway at skilled nursing facilities, which require a higher acuity of patient care, in 49 states, and that the first round of doses will be completed by Jan. 25." (Genovese, 2021)
"Late last year, CVS and Walgreens were tapped by the U.S. Department of Health and Senior Services to administer vaccinations to the high-priority populations ahead of the general public to stem the spread of the virus." (Genovese, 2021)
The Fox Business News article indicates that planning took place late last year, and the U.S. Department of Health and Senior Services was involved in that distribution planning. Let's examine who managed that department during that period.
According to their published organization chart, the U.S. Department of Health and Senior Services reports to the Chief of Staff and the White House. A plan of some nature exists. Walgreens and CVS passed the clearance processes on distributing the vaccine, training their staff to administer the vaccine, and are beginning to move the vaccine out to their store locations. All of this preparation had to occur with the previous administration to begin public distribution of the vaccine just after the Presidential inauguration. (DCD, 2020)
Anyone from the White House who states, "The Trump Administration had no coronavirus vaccine distribution plan" is being disingenuous, and they would be incorrect. The facts do not substantiate that there was no plan. We can undoubtedly host a debate about whether the Trump plan was good or bad, but a plan exists. The White House needs to keep it factual. This headline is misleading as headlines often can be, but the source is the White House, so that is where the blame lies. I created newsdigger.org to help people examine researched facts and debunk inaccuracies and misleading information and headlines through proper research, event timelines, and verifiable sources.
References:
Digital Communications Division (DCD) (2020, September 23). HHS Organizational Chart. U.S. Department of Health and Senior Services. https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/orgchart/index.html
Genovese, D. (2021, January 7). Walgreens, CVS to finish first round of COVID-19 vaccinations. Fox Business. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/walgreens-cvs-covid-19-vaccines Chiacu, D. (2021, January 24). Trump administration had no coronavirus vaccine distribution plan: White House. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-klain-idUSKBN29T0FY
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