＜prologue＞
I started a blog called “The Baby Boomer Generation’s Miscellaneous Blog”（Dankai-sedai no garakutatyou:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳） in July 2018, about a year before I fully retired. More than six years have passed since then, and the number of articles has increased considerably.
So, in order to make them accessible to people who don’t understand Japanese, I decided to translate my past articles into English and publish them.
It may sound a bit exaggerated, but I would like to make this my life’s work.
It should be noted that haiku and waka （Japanese short fixed form poems） are quite difficult to translate into English, so some parts are written in Japanese.
If you are interested in haiku or waka and would like to know more, please read introductory or specialized books on haiku or waka written in English.
I also write many articles about the Japanese language. I would be happy if these inspire more people to want to learn Japanese.
my blog’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳 | 団塊世代が雑学や面白い話を発信しています
my X’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多帳（@historia49) on X
(Reference) Original article in Japanese
・コロナワクチン接種の優先順位を上げるべき職種がまだある。政府は見直しを！
Following the initial vaccination of healthcare workers, COVID-19 vaccinations for those aged 65 and over are gradually beginning. However, there are some points of concern regarding the priority order for vaccination.
1. Priority Order for COVID-19 Vaccination
Currently, the priority order for COVID-19 vaccination is highest for healthcare workers, followed by those aged 65 and over, then those with underlying medical conditions and staff at elderly care facilities, and finally, other individuals under 65.
2. Occupations That Should Have Higher Vaccination Priority Regardless of Age
However, there are occupations that should have higher vaccination priority regardless of age, due to the nature of their work.
I believe the government should clarify its guidelines and urgently review the priority order.
(1) Occupations that involve contact with a large number of incoming and outgoing passengers, such as quarantine officers and international flight pilots/cabinet attendants
Their infection risk is comparable to that of healthcare workers.
(2) Caregivers in nursing homes, facilities for people with disabilities, and home care services
Caregivers who have close contact with facility residents on a daily basis face a very high risk of causing a “facility cluster” if they become infected with COVID-19. The same applies to care workers in home care services.
Nursery school teachers and kindergarten teachers could also be considered similar professions.
(3) Firefighters and paramedics
Paramedics who respond to 119 calls and urgently transport sick people cannot avoid dealing with people suspected of having COVID-19, so they first need to get vaccinated to prevent infection themselves.
(4) Dentists and dental hygienists
Dentists and dental hygienists are professions that directly treat patients’ teeth and oral cavity, so I believe they should be prioritized for vaccination.
A dental hygienist I know recently said she finally managed to get an appointment for her first dose. She hasn’t gotten her second dose yet. However, since it’s supposed to be a “two-dose vaccination,” I think it makes sense to schedule the second dose together…
(5) Police officers
Police officers who patrol and directly come into contact with suspicious individuals and people who have collapsed are also a profession that should be prioritized for vaccination.
(6) Self-Defense Forces Personnel
Self-Defense Forces personnel dispatched for disaster relief and reconstruction support, as well as medical officers and nurses dispatched to large-scale COVID-19 vaccination sites like the one currently being used, should be given priority for vaccination.
(7) Tokyo Olympic Athletes and Officials
The IOC has announced that it will secure Pfizer vaccines for Olympic athletes. Currently in Japan, there are calls for the cancellation of the Olympics from various quarters, leaving athletes and officials feeling caught in the middle and uncomfortable.
Since Prime Minister Suga has declared his intention to hold the Olympics safely and securely, he should clearly state that Olympic athletes will be given priority for vaccination.
It is irresponsible to remain silent, worried about criticism from the opposition parties and the media, and the results of public opinion polls.
(8) Cabinet Ministers, Governors, and Mayors (?)
This is something that former Osaka Prefecture Governor and lawyer Toru Hashimoto has also advocated. I suspect this might draw criticism as “preferential treatment for the elite.” Osaka Governor Yoshimura has clearly stated that he will not receive priority vaccination.
If a cabinet minister, governor, or mayor becomes infected with COVID-19 and is hospitalized, rendering them unable to perform their duties, it could be argued that the vice-minister, vice-governor, or vice-mayor could simply take over.
Furthermore, if top public officials like them are given priority, then it’s likely that some will argue that CEOs of private companies should also be given priority.
3. Fraudulent Practices in Vaccination Reservations
I agree that the fraudulent practice of the chairman of Sugi Pharmacy pressuring the Nishio City Hall in Aichi Prefecture to secure a “priority reservation” is unacceptable, considering the difficulty ordinary people face in making reservations.
Also, the fact that over 300 employees (all under 65 years old) at the Tama City Hall in Tokyo (with approximately 800 employees) received priority vaccination has drawn harsh public criticism; this, too, is a violation of the rules and can be considered fraudulent practice.
4. Utilizing leftover vaccines due to same-day cancellations, etc.
However, the fact that the mayor, deputy mayor, and city hall staff vaccinated themselves to avoid wasting leftover vaccines due to same-day cancellations is an example of “flexible application” and should not be solely blamed. While explanations to citizens may be necessary…
“Reducing waste through flexible application” will likely continue to be necessary in the future.
Not just for city hall staff, but also for ordinary citizens who have not yet been vaccinated, if cancellations occur, it may be necessary to offer them early vaccination (naturally, including the second dose) and to urge them to cancel their original appointments.