So a guy from Washington State popped off on Twitter accusing South Dakota of rationing vaccines by race and political party. The South Dakota Department of Health, whose communications are directed by former Washington, D.C., talker and Trump campaigner Daniel Bucheli, popped right back in distinctly political terms:
Hmm… earlier this month, Bucheli’s nominal boss, Kim Malsam-Rysdon, said she’s “very grateful to serve as Secretary of Health with such an amazing team of dedicated professionals.” Does Bucheli’s tweet exemplify that amazing and dedicated professionalism?
Dr. Kelly Wong suggests a less brass-knuckly response that would have sufficed:
But hey, it looks like Bucheli is doing exactly what Kristi Noem hires her Beltway bashers to do: issue Trumpist attacks against anyone who criticizes her administration and turn government statements into a constant state of war.
https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/latest-data-on-covid-19-vaccinations-race-ethnicity/
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting demographic characteristics, including race/ethnicity, of people receiving COVID-19 vaccinations at the national level. As of February 16, 2021, they showed that race/ethnicity was known for just over half (55%) of people who had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Among this group, nearly two thirds were White (63%), 9% were Hispanic, 6% were Black, 5% were Asian, 2% were American Indian or Alaska Native, and <1% were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, while nearly 14% reported multiple or other race. However, to date, CDC is not providing state-level demographic data for people vaccinated.
I must have missed the part where Bucheli backed up the denial with statistical evidence.
Noem’s alter-ego made manifest.
At Mr. Bucheli’s next press conference I expect the rabble rousing media will ask about this. It might be interesting. They they will tweet about the tweeting of the original tweet. Being unable to weigh in, Mr. Trump will smash a tea cup against the wall at Mara largo.
According to link in my first comment, 34 states have tracked vaccinations by race/ethnicity and none of them are South Dakota. But, a clear trend shows whites get preferential treatment, or so it seems. Might mean something. Might not mean anything.
That which is claimed without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. He’s right, if unprofessional.
I don’t know how to respond, I’ll have to contact my Soros boss and find out.
I mean, if you are trying to paint me as a paranoid, conspiracy addled Trump supporter, you haven’t read my posts. Trump lost the election, George Soros is not the antichrist, and proof matters, even when your team is on the field.
Some outfit called Beckers Hospital Review ranks SD number 7 in the nation as of Feb 19th…
South Dakota
Doses distributed to state: 197,050
Doses administered: 171,175
Percentage of distributed vaccines that have been administered: 86.87
Still there were less than 200k vaccinations to do.
I agree with Dicta’s evaluation of the exchange. Mr. Clayborne’s assertion is not evidenced. It does not require the political response Mr. Bucheli issues under the banner of a state Department of Health that should be absolutely non-partisan.
Thanks for the clarification, Master. I was wondering whom Dicta was disagreeing with.
Why would anyone be surprised in the day of open displays of white supremacy, when it comes time to prioritize vaccinations money talks. and the rest wait. The indigenous, have in my opinion, never been accepted as equals in their country. Bigotry, hatred, dishonesty, racial bias, and last but not least greed, is endangering this country. John Lennon wrote “Give peace a chance” Mike Livingston writes Love Trumps Hate Every Time
I’d love to check for evidence that might support or refute either claim, but, as Mike notes, South Dakota appears not to be making such evidence available. DPH communications has time for political tweets but not data collection.
I don’t have the numbers here in Rapid City, but I know that a tribally-owned primary care clinic — Oyate Health https://www.oyatehealth.com/ is providing vaccinations to their patients ages 18+, and I also know Monument Health didn’t ask me for my race or political affiliation when I signed up for my vaccine, which I hope to get at some point in the future, so I believe any resident of the area could sign up… Monument is only doing 65+ now. So I think here, it’s actually easier for a native person to get a vaccine right now, than it is for a non native. I’m not complaining. Just saying, Oyate seems to be taking good care of their patients.
They are public servants. The guy may or may not have been off base on his accusation. Snarking at someone isn’t providing customer service. And you don’t get any credit when you respond in such an unprofessional way.
This was such an easy layup — ‘sir, could you DM me so we can address the issue you have brought to our attention?’
Even if I complained about my burger at McDuck’s, the manager wouldn’t treat me this way. This isn’t the way things should be handled by our tax payer funded entities.
Like Kristi says……words matter. But I’m afraid these approaches, unprofessional as they are, are becoming the norm these days. Sad and angering all at the same time.
Thanks for the first-hand observations, Cindy!
Tribal health organizations are leading the vaccination push in rural Alaska. Indian Health Service is moving vaccines pretty quickly, and the White Earth Nation is working with its white neighbors to make Mahnomen County one of the most vaccinated communities in Minnesota. In both places, tribal health orgs are vaccinating everyone, red, white, or other. The Cherokee Nation did put fluent Native speakers of Cherokee at the front of its vaccination line… and I’d say preserving one’s language and culture counts as essential work.
Efficient work by Indian Health Service and the tribes may be contributing to South Dakota’s leading vaccination rate:
I wonder what response Bucheli would have to the suggestion that it’s the tribes, not Team Noem, boosting our vaccination rates to the head of the pack.
Even in the absence of overt racism, institutional racist practices and policies can still undermine efficacy and morality of actions. Viewing all actions through that sense is always a decent exercise to regularly undertake – just like looking in your blind spot before changing lanes in traffic.
Dana am I to understand that in order to have an opinion considered by our public servants that there is a certain degree of professionalism required? Well la ti dah!
KRISTY SAYS WORDS MATTER. That is Rich.
Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Health facilities are vaccinating anyone that lives on the reservations, enrolled members and non-members. if you don’t have a medical chart there the sShow your ID with a local address, meet the current criteria and you can get vaccinated. They followed guidelines of medical workers, elders, medically compromised, essential, etc.
Mousseau is one cool woman!
Thanks for the note, Spike! Evidently Pine Ridge and Rosebud aren’t discriminating. Good on them!
The registration form I used to get my vaccine did not have race as a data element. You can’t be held accountable for disproportionate vaccination rates if you don’t track race. How convenient.