Swine flu is first glimpse of state care

The recent story – "Schools may get vaccine Friday" – floored me. The schools were chosen because they had the highest numbers of children from low-income families, and those families would be less able to take time from work to obtain the vaccine?

I don't care how you look at it, it's rationing according to some bureaucrat's notion of fairness.

Last week President "Only government can handle health care" Obama declared swine flu to be a national emergency. He also signed a proclamation sending 10 percent of the stockpile of swine flu vaccine to other countries. Now, six schools may – not will – get the vaccine that is rationed on the basis of supposed need.

If it is a national emergency – which I doubt – shouldn't every American have first dibs on the vaccine?

What we're seeing is this government handling its first attempt at providing health care. It is failing miserably.

DANIEL B. KENNEDY

Champaign