Under a socialist system, resources are allocated to those with the most political power.
Under an anarchist system, resources are allocated to those with the most firepower.
The vaccine is being distributed under a socialist system. Nobody should be surprised at the results.
Capitalism doesn't help in the case that the article is discussing, either. Older doctors tend to be paid more than younger doctors, and are also at higher risk of COVID-19 without taking into account how many COVID-19 patients they see. If we just charged a high price for the COVID-19 vaccine, the older doctors would easily be able to afford it and get vaccinated and the residents wouldn't be able to afford it -- exactly what's being complained about in the article. You don't get paid for each COVID patient you treat (caring for dying pandemic victims is not a high-margin business), so using ability to pay as the means of distributing the vaccine doesn't maximize its value to society. The problem that the designers of the distribution model faced was balancing risk from old age with risk from exposure to patients with COVID-19. They balanced it wrong, and over-weigthed old age and under-weighted daily exposure to people sick with COVID-19.
It's not about capitalism, socialism, or anarchy. It's about getting back to normal as quickly as possible.
But then you go on to explain how it would be effective:
> Think about people like me: I could easily afford to pay whatever it would cost to be vaccinated. But, it's largely pointless: I work at home and don't go outside except to get some groceries now and again. If I did get COVID-19, I'm at a very low risk of dying. I'm probably not going to spread it to anyone either; I live alone and would just stay in bed for the two weeks I was contagious.
I.e. you wouldn't find it worthwhile to pay whatever it may cost for an early dose (the LA Times reports people offering up to $25,000). Distribution by willingness to pay does sort by those who are able to pay and finding it worth the cost.
Under a socialist system, those with the most political power have the most resources and the most firepower.
Under an anarchist system, those with the most firepower have the most resources and the most political power.
(And it’s not because they’re paying more)
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-12-18/wealthy-...
So yeah, socialism :-)
We can argue about whether or not Stanford is “socialist”, but I don’t feel he’s wrong that Stanford allocated vaccines according to political power. He also doesn’t judge any system. He’s just giving an observation
Powerful politicians are already getting vaccinated.
It's a virtual certainty that those offering $25,000 for a dose are going to find someone in the distribution system providing it and pocketing the money.