Hello, and welcome to the ATP series, Really Dumb Things, They Said.

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey said that racial justice should be the first priority in vaccinating Americans. In other words, if you’re black, you should get the shot, but if you’re white, well, sorry, Charlie.

Can you imagine a more racist statement from a United States senator? Can you imagine the outcry if he said it the other way around?

Like, I don’t think anyone should get the shots, except white people, and no blacks get them until the white people are all vaccinated.

I’m sorry, but shouldn’t the priority be the health and safety of our most vulnerable? Get them done first, and then distribute the vaccine as widely as possible. If you want to get it based on your risk parameters, not the color of your skin.

Wow, senator, what a dumb thing you said.