Thread by @juliettekayyem

THREAD ON VACCINES: The National Governors Association -- representing all of them -- has serious questions about logistics of vaccination distribution. Trump answers only that "military" will do it. And gov guidelines issued earlier were not specific. 1/
governor.ny.gov/news/national-…

I advise some of these offices. Money, of course, is always an issue but it goes beyond money. Let's assume, first, there is a vaccine. An assumption: pray for it, but plan otherwise (i.e. #wearadamnmask). If there is one, supply chain and logistics criteria are essential. 2/

These include important factors such as vaccine viability, ultracold storage, and prioritization when supply is short (or comes in waves, which it will). It also includes what sort of leeway states will be granted to administer their own criteria. 3/

Look everyone can agree first responders, health responders, military first. That's easy. Vulnerable populations next? Yes, likely, but how do you define that pool? And what about areas that may be more likely to cause community outbreak, such as colleges or schools? Prisons? 4/

I love the Drs. Get us vaccine! But next stage is about design and implementation. Moving stuff. Logistics. State, local, tribal and territorial integration with feds. All the stuff this WH doesn't want to do. So Trump says "the military." Nope! 5/

https://twitter.com/juliettekayyem/status/1289125019864436736

That @NYGovCuomo chairs the National Governors Association doesn't mean this is about him or New York. The NGA is a bipartisan entity that organizes the state's collective interests on behalf of its citizens who desperately want to end this pandemic. 6/

And it goes without saying that a smart logistics and distribution plan, that is carefully considered with all stakeholders at the table, will engender confidence in the public so that they take the vaccine. We have to build confidence. 7/

I repeat myself: A vaccine never saved a life, only a vaccination has. And on that front, great for the Govs to make clear there is no workable federal plan. The good news: this part is not rocket science. It is merely building and executing a plan. It can be done. Vote. 8/8