DEMAND GOVERNOR NED LAMONT PRIORITIZE AT-RISK PEOPLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION.

We the students of Uconn and the citizens of the state of Connecticut condemn the policy set forth by Governor Ned Lamont that schedules COVID-19 vaccinations by age rather than by medical need.

These policies put further at risk people with medical comorbidities, such as autoimmune diseases or disabilities like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, HIV/AIDS, lupus, and more—especially those who are forced to work retail, at grocery stores, as drivers, as medical or emergency personnel, and other "essential" jobs due to economic necessity.

Signing this petition is a demand that Governor Ned Lamont immediately reverse his decision to abandon our disabled and immunocompromised community members, and modify the vaccination plan to include people with medical comorbidities WITH the elderly at the top of the rollout; and that we have the vaccine quantity and financial resources to fulfill this goal.

Signing this petition is a demand that we preserve the lives of our disabled and immunocompromised community members by ensuring that they have easy access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Signing this petition is an understanding that our disabled and immunocompromised community members are not disposable or liabilities to the state; that they are worthy of our solidarity and support regardless of the cost or circumstances; and a condemnation of an ableist and eugenicist plan that abandons them when they are vulnerable during a deadly pandemic.

Signing this petition is an acknowledgement of the various other socioeconomic burdens placed on disabled persons by the state, such as the following caps on their wealth that determine their eligibility for disability payments and other state supports (NOLO). While they may be permitted to access special accounts that allow them to save without disqualifying them from benefits (up to $15,000, per the ABLE Act), this may require administrative abilities or access to a document preparer that not all disabled people can afford.

Signing this petition is a demand that we fulfill our moral duty to take care of vulnerable people, especially on account of the fact that Connecticut is receiving the most vaccines per capita, and has ample financial resources to prioritize both the elderly and individuals with comorbidities.

Please sign and share this petition so that we can reach our goal of 15,000 people demanding an end to this eugenicist policy treating our vulnerable loved ones and neighbors as disposable.