Thread by @_scottreid

WARNING: Loud angry rant incoming.
Travel with me back in time to six - count em, six! - whole days ago when Premier Ford, flanked by the Minister of Health committed to opening up vaccinations to those aged 18+ in Toronto's hotspot neighbourhoods. #onpoli #topoli

This was welcome news in my household. We are in a hotspot and prior to the announcement only those aged 50 and above (i.e. old-ass me) could receive the jab. I was even happier when the portal updated on the weekend and permitted bookings in the 18-49yo cohort. #onpoli #topoli

Three eligible members of my household booked online, punching in their dates of birth and receiving both appointments and confirmation codes. "We're set," we thought with relief as we watched the positivity rate rise like mercury in mid-July. Thank goodness. #onpoli #topoli

Well, not so GD fast! Upon arrival at the clinic we're told that the appointments will not be taken, the confirmation codes will not be honoured and the arms will not be syringed. Why? Because the policy verbalized nearly a week ago by the Premier does not exist #onpoli #topoli

How can that be? We heard the Premier himself. We saw his Health Minister nod in concurrence. We were screened and approved through the portal. We have alpha-fucking-numeric confirmation codes and PDFs instructing us where to park. What the living hell? #onpoli #topoli

So, the public health official explained patiently. Yes, the Premier announced it. Almost a week ago. But regrettably, he did not authorize the Ministry of Health to permit local health authorities to act on his announcement. Not last week. Not this week. #onpoli #topoli

When will it happen? The answer rhymes with, "No one trucking knows." The local health unit official encouraged us to call the provincial hotline and seek clarification. Fun fact: The provincial hotline automatically directs you back to the local health unit #onpoli #topoli

Here's my takeaway. And I'm trying to be charitable because I've worked in government and politics. I know these things are harder than they look and that systems, confronted by unprecedented challenges, can be very difficult to adjust on the fly #onpoli #topoli

I think the Premier is a populist politician. He likes to tell people what they want to hear. With cases rising and ICUs flooded he wanted to tell people last Wednesday that he was responding to their worries by opening vaccinations up wider. I understand that. #onpoli #topoli

Here's what I don't understand: Why didn't he then and there turn to his Health Minister - who was an appropriate six feet away - and say, "So please instruct health units to make that happen." Or why didn't he give that instruction the next day? Or any day since? #onpoli #topoli

And why did the province permit the portal to spit out confirmations and appointments knowing that those appointments couldn't be honoured? Why is one end of the string tied to a promise and other end tied to absolutely fuck nothing? Why isn't it being fixed now? #onpoli #topoli

No one's going to cry for my family. We've got it pretty good. But we weren't the only people turned away today at that clinic. It looked like Radio City Music Hall after the rush tickets were gone. Tons of people headed home frustrated. Only difference: COVID #onpoli #topoli

The simple takeaway for Premier Ford is this: If you say it, do it. If you've promised it, honour it. If you've basked in the glow of the announcement's popularity, have the integrity to act on your words. Don't leave people with bare arms and false hope #onpoli #topoli