by Mike Critelli
Both states are utterly failing to achieve equitable access to vaccinations. And in both states people are gaming the systems in ways that increase the inequities.
Florida
Florida set up scheduling processes county by county, with multiple appointment options, all of which are overloaded. With more options, and more entry points, there are more opportunities for “gaming”, for example:
- Become a seasonal resident. The cost of a seasonal residence rental is beyond the reach of most people.
- Get on every scheduling system (Eventbrite, Publix, Walgreens et al.) with multiple computers and multiple browsers on each computer. Anyone with a single cell phone browser or limited WiFi service is competing with individuals with 4-6 potential access points.
- Schedule appointments in less crowded Florida counties, sometimes well over 100 miles’ drive each way. This option is unavailable to those without cars or those who can’t take off from work or caregiving, to drive long distances.
Connecticut
Initially, Connecticut’s staged system limiting vaccinations to those over 75 was gamed by individuals who discovered that the eligibility data field was not linked to date of birth. Gamers declared themselves eligible, even with a date of birth that would make them ineligible. This cheating is unlikely to be detected at or after the fact.
Conclusion
Government officials and public health authorities need to recognize that “offenses” by those who can take advantage of rules-based system “loopholes” are always a few steps ahead of the “defenses” created by government through rules-based social engineering.
The more rules, the more “gaming” opportunities there are. This increases inequities based on multiple factors that should not count --- wealth, tech savvy, scheduling flexibility, and willingness to cheat.