Can American billionaires get us to herd immunity?
To the Editor,
Here’s a novel idea for America’s billionaire class: why not use a small proportion of your total wealth to help end the health crisis still gripping the United States right now? Specifically, I have a proposal for America’s five richest people: Jeff Bezos (worth $177 billion), Elon Musk ($151 billion), Bill Gates ($124 billion), Marc Zuckerberg ($97 billion), and Warren Buffett ($96 billion). At this time, about one-third of Americans who are 12 or older have not been vaccinated against Covid-19: that’s approximately 90 million people. These five unimaginably wealthy Americans could offer each of these unvaxxed people $250 to incentivize them to get fully vaccinated. This would cost $25 billion dollars, less than four percent of their collective wealth. They would receive great PR, possibly a huge tax write-off, and most importantly, by doing something selfless for their country they would get a feeling of well-being that is priceless. Even if only half of the 33% who are now unvaccinated accepted this offer, it would bring the total number of those 12 or older who are vaccinated to over 80%, which is “herd immunity” territory.
John F. Kennedy’s iconic words in his inaugural address were: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Living in this country gave these men incredible advantages not available to people in most other countries around the world. Such an act of extreme generosity would ensure their place in history and be part of their lasting legacy. And it would show those who rail against the accumulation of great wealth that it can sometimes also serve the common good, not just the interests of those who accumulate it. Thus, it would also likely soften the image of these billionaires and help to diminish the demonization of those with great wealth. This would be a huge “win-win” for these billionaires and for America.
These fabulously wealthy individuals have a chance to alter history in real time by simply opening their wallets and, in effect, writing a check to the American people. Let’s hope they hear this message, take it to heart, and do the right thing for their country — and I suggest, for themselves as well.
Ken Derow
Swarthmore
