The same reasoning can be applied to obesity.
As much as I support vaccination, it feels like gaps in vaccination are also used as an excuse to blow off repairing an extremely fragile public health system. We've had two years at this point.
I do agree that this is something governments ought to be looking into over the long term though.
Training people to assist Covid cases, run PCR tests, should be a matter of weeks, not years. Germany did it, I have 4 (four!) test centers on within a block of distance, all of them are filled with students and otherwise-unemployed people who got some minimal training.
If we're to treat this like an emergency, why aren't we treating it like an emergency?
Because in truth it probably never was. We assembled fully staffed field hospitals that went completely unused.
Also, assuming their obesity is a life style choice instead of type 1 diabetes, I suspect many obese people would be willing to take a easy vaccine if it exists considering how big the lose-weight-quick industry is
That's why I think vaccination schemes that offered free food were undermining the "following the science" bit.
As was the banning of the popular "Parkrun" in the UK, which is a collective outdoor exercise event, during the lockdown.
So many policies have undermined the "follow the science" bit in my mind.
> one run and one meal is not gonna make or break someones weight
On the contrary, we have had two years of this pandemic. Government messaging could have been a lot stronger on the benefits of exercise. That's 2 years for people to become healthier.
And "one vaccine" has turned into one vaccine plus boosters. Everyone is going to get Covid at some point. General fitness will remain one of the best long term ways of combating the virus.
The Parkrun is a weekly occurrence, and is popular even for those who do not have an interest in exercise as a hobby, as it is informal. As such, it acts as an important gateway to a healthier lifestyle.
I'm by no means alone in seeing banning it as counterproductive, and not "following the science".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59816344
If the government wants to serverely curtail individual liberties, then I expect good reasons for doing so. It's not good to encourage blind adherance to illogical policies.
Obviously, yes, medical conditions do place burdens on health systems. That's why we tax cigarettes highly. However, in spite of considerable public health initiatives, the obesity rate continues to rise...