I’m happy that Andy Slavitt is using positive reinforcement. However, I don’t agree with the use of these statistics. It’s lazy and promotes a terrible narrative for people living in more populous states.

Alaska population: 732,000
Vaccinations: 105,858

West Virginia population: 1,792,000
Vaccinations: 224,604

New Mexico population: 2,097,000
Vaccinations: 224,692

Connecticut population: 3,565,000
Vaccinations: 381,160

North Dakota population: 762,000
Vaccinations: 80,051

Oklahoma population: 3,957,000
Vaccinations: 363,253

South Dakota population: 885,000
Vaccinations: 91,776

Contrast that with states who have administered more doses than the entire population living in some of the above states. California has vaccinated nearly 3 million individuals and has distributed more than 5.5 million doses. We could celebrate West Virginia’s quick turnaround from the shipment of vaccines to vaccinations. We could celebrate North Dakota’s good job getting the second shot completed in many residents. We could celebrate the amazing effort of reaching 3.1 million residents in a vast area known as Texas.

Stop being lazy. Participation trophies are gauche.