Covid vaccine poll
Poll
 | 11 votes (15.94%) | ||
| | 45 votes (65.21%) | ||
| | 13 votes (18.84%) |
69 members have voted
Quote: rxwineFocusing vaccines on the people most susceptible to hospitalization/death may not bring the newly infected numbers down much, but it should decrease the sense of urgency when the number of deaths decreases significantly compared to infections.
I'm not sure that this explanation will make much sense to my grandmother. If she does contract COVID and dies because she was too far back in the queue to get a vaccine, I'm also going to have trouble explaining it to her eight year old great granddaughter. They both will have difficulty "decreasing their sense of urgency."
Quote: rxwineFocusing vaccines on the people most susceptible to hospitalization/death may not bring the newly infected numbers down much, but it should decrease the sense of urgency when the number of deaths decreases significantly compared to infections.
That's not really what they're prioritizing for the most part though. Most places they are prioritizing employment field and employer, to a rather large and arbitrary extent, before age or risk status. What I have heard for Nevada is basically if you work for the state (in anything) you can get the vaccine now. Meanwhile the age is still stuck at 70+?
Quote: fantomI'm not sure that this explanation will make much sense to my grandmother. If she does contract COVID and dies because she was too far back in the queue to get a vaccine, I'm also going to have trouble explaining it to her eight year old great granddaughter. They both will have difficulty "decreasing their sense of urgency."
Why would your grandmother be far back in the que?0
Quote: mcallister3200That's not really what they're prioritizing for the most part though. Most places they are prioritizing employment field and employer, to a rather large and arbitrary extent, before age or risk status. What I have heard for Nevada is basically if you work for the state (in anything) you can get the vaccine now. Meanwhile the age is still stuck at 70+?
Prioritizing workers, especially essential type workers doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I mean there is also the need to keep things running.
BUT, I am starting to get a little frustrated waiting. I check every day and like you said, Nevada is still 70+ for the general population "track". I know it is a monumental task and it started with one administration in December and there was a switch in the middle of it. I'm certainly not looking to get political or assign blame to anyone. I just want it to really get rolling now,
Hopefully will get appointment closer. I’ll keep trying!
Quote: rxwineWhy would your grandmother be far back in the queue?
We cannot get an appointment for her, even though we try to get one at midnight, when we are told they release the daily quota of available vaccines. If she lived just a couple of miles away, in a different "underserved" zipcode, there are more vaccines being made available, for anyone over the age of eighteen, whereas every where else in the state the limit is age 75 and up.
Completely healthy young people are getting in line ahead of extremely vulnerable elderly because they are being offered a limited number of vaccines that are not going to those who are more at risk.
Quote: kewljPrioritizing workers, especially essential type workers doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I mean there is also the need to keep things running.
,
Yes, BUT, what they are including in the essential or front line in many cases, just like what they considered essential in the half assed lockdowns, is rather exaggerated arbitrary and at times just ridiculous.
Quote: AxelWolfNV should shoot any smokers, drinkers or AP's to the front of the line..
Shooting them would certainly cut down on COVID deaths.
Quote: AxelWolfNV should shoot any smokers, drinkers or AP's to the front of the line..
Mississippi and Texas all you have to do is say you’re a smoker or fat (one or the other not both) and somehow that qualifies already. Probably tough to get a first appointment though given at least 2/3 of Mississippi falls into one of those two categories. The smoking thing is just ridiculous. It’s not a health condition it’s a lifestyle choice.
So... Everyone will have to start all over again getting vaccinated?
Quote: darkozSo Fauci said it's possible there may need to be an adjustment to the current vaccines if covid mutates or the British, south African or Brazilian mutations take dominance.
So... Everyone will have to start all over again getting vaccinated?
They are learning new things daily and info can change almost daily, but I recently saw that although they will be tweaking the vaccine to be more effective against the new variants, (just as the flu vaccine is tweaked), that the original vaccine MAY still offer some protection. It may be one of those cases where you can still get the virus and even get sick, but it won't be as severe, and potentially less deadly (lesser death rate). That would still be a very good thing.
Quote: kewljI saw a funny story this morning on CNN. It was about the racial inequity of who is getting the vaccine first. They were interviewing the owner of a small family run Pharmacy in a black/latino section of New York. The pharmacist, who looked to be a middle eastern decent said "we can tell who is here for the vaccine and who is here for regular business". The reported asked "how can you tell?" The pharmacist replied "they are white and look confused".
I found this humorous, but the disparage is very real. Part of it is that the Black and Latino communities are resistant to getting the vaccine. The other part is the unfair manner associated with the roll out. When a group becomes eligible, for example 60-64 age group, you have to go online in search of an appointment which are far and few between. A new group of appointments becomes available every day at midnight, which are immediately gobbled up.
So who is less likely to have computers and internet service in their homes? I'll let you answer that. And computer/internet access for poorer people at the library is useless, because the appointments become available at midnight.
Does the race baiting ever end?
Maybe in 1998 there was still a huge gap is who had computers at home and internet access. But it is 2021. What you are saying is we should not use tech because some people do not use modern tech? Should we ban parking within 10 blocks of the pharmacy because some people do not have cars and thus we should make sure nobody has an unfair advantage at getting there?
Didn't we just send everyone $600? More than enough to buy a computer with!
Or perhaps CNN and yourself are suggesting that white people by some sort of regulation have to stay in their own neighborhoods "for the common good of distributing the vaccine?"
At least I am doing my part in not taking it.
Quote: darkozSo Fauci said it's possible there may need to be an adjustment to the current vaccines if covid mutates or the British, south African or Brazilian mutations take dominance.
So... Everyone will have to start all over again getting vaccinated?
We do for the flu. Except as of now no one HAS to get vaccinated in the first place. If the medical experts recommend a ‘booster’ vaccine, as always, I will weigh the pros and cons. Of course I will most likely get one.
Quote: rxwineShooting them would certainly cut down on COVID deaths.
That's OK, they would still be counted as COVID deaths. Unless you shot somebody in a nursing home in New York. Where there were no COVID deaths.
Quote: fantomEverywhere else, statewide, has availability only for those over 75.
...
I hesitate to ask this question lest the Ministry of Truth here stomp on me, but if on this basis your eighty seven year old grandparent (and I have one of those) is denied even the opportunity to apply for a vaccine simply because she lives in the wrong zipcode, what would you tell YOUR grandma?
I would remind her that she is eligible, so she can go ahead and register for her shots, if she wants them. And if she is having a hard time figuring out the registration system, I would ask her for her pertinent information and help her do it. In a lot of states, there are great systems in place to help all 87-year-olds schedule their appointment; in other states there are horrible systems in place, that make it hard for most eligible people to get them.
Quote: darkozI'm going to be painfully honest here
Of the many people of color and relatively low income people I know I don't know a single one that doesn't have internet or a cell phone.
They may not have air conditioning in their home, they may not own a car, I even know some that don't have a DVD player (although they have an Xbox or PlayStation) but everyone I know has a cell phone and internet.
Perhaps it's different outside NY. IDK.
However the Tuskegee experiment really does still have a lot of psychic resonance for people of color. It annoys even me and I'm a pale horse.
Before my Mom died, she never had a cell phone and thought the internet was best used for playing solitaire.
In 2017, I attended an AARP course on going back to work over fifty and several people there had never used the internet and had flip phones with no internet. It's an age gap, as much as a wealth or racial one.
Eighteen year old's are comparatively immune whereas eighty year old's are much closer to guaranteed of dying from COVID.
In my specific case, of course we are helping with the registration process, to no avail, while we know of young folks who have gotten shots. They live less than five miles away and say they had no trouble getting a reservation.
The registration process here does, in fact, seem universally inept, but she is getting rejected with the response "no reservation available - try again later." We are logging on daily at the stroke of midnight, as well as off and on during the day.
There is reporting that indicates that the "underserved" zipcode is receiving a much higher per-capita allotment of vaccines, and that vaccination rates are much higher there as well. Our assumption is that the rate of vaccination is higher there because of increased supply.
It's a wonderful thought that, in the big picture, distributing vaccines in this manner is socially, culturally, and philosophically appropriate. If a few folks are gonna have to say goodbye to grandma I guess that's okay. Unless of course it's your grandma. I need to broaden my perspective. It's not easy to do.
Quote: fantomThere is reporting that indicates that the "underserved" zipcode is receiving a much higher per-capita allotment of vaccines, and that vaccination rates are much higher there as well. Our assumption is that the rate of vaccination is higher there because of increased supply.
Any data on this? I've only been following NV and seems like a great job for old people and some groups of front line workers. I think it has been just submit your name and wait for an email to set up an appointment, which usually takes one to two weeks. Even faster for people who work in medicine. And this was after being one of the slowest states to get started. Hasn't been as easy for young people with health problems that make them high risk, but I think the available doses will start to accelerate soon. I would be interested in comparing it to states that are not doing well.
Quote: AZDuffmanDoes the race baiting ever end?
Maybe in 1998 there was still a huge gap is who had computers at home and internet access. But it is 2021. What you are saying is we should not use tech because some people do not use modern tech? Should we ban parking within 10 blocks of the pharmacy because some people do not have cars and thus we should make sure nobody has an unfair advantage at getting there?
Didn't we just send everyone $600? More than enough to buy a computer with!
Or perhaps CNN and yourself are suggesting that white people by some sort of regulation have to stay in their own neighborhoods "for the common good of distributing the vaccine?"
At least I am doing my part in not taking it.
God forbid, a single mother with kids struggling to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads should take that $600 and run out and buy a computer while her kids go hungry.
Fact is there is still racial and income disparage rampate in this country and the vaccine roll out and white people disproportionately being able to get to the front of the line proves that yet again.
How about You stop living in denial and some alternstive reality and admit the fact and just be grateful you were born white and privileged. I am grateful I was and there is nothing wrong with that. But don't distort reality to make yourself feel better.
I will say though that appointments, which were impossible to book just a few days ago, are starting to become readily available for those who are eligible or with connections. That might change when they open up appointments to the next tier.
Meantime, by early March the study I was in will be unblinded and I will either know that I was already vaccinated a few months ago, or will get that one shot only vaccine.
My local work I needed to stay in town for should be completed around the same time.
And then we'll go to Vegas.
In that order.
Quote: kewljGod forbid, a single mother with kids struggling to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads should take that $600 and run out and buy a computer while her kids go hungry.
Chances are she has had a computer for ages. Between WIC and other aid the kids are probably not going hungry. We are even told the lower the income the more obese people are, are we not?
Quote:Fact is there is still racial and income disparage rampate in this country and the vaccine roll out and white people disproportionately being able to get to the front of the line proves that yet again.
Yeah, that is why the headline is always predictable. "MARS INVADES EARTH AND PROMISES TO DESTROY IT --WOMEN AND MINORITIES HARDEST HIT!" Kind of why I tune out the news for the most part. They just put the same headline out year after year, they just change the cause.
Quote:How about You stop living in denial and some alternstive reality and admit the fact and just be grateful you were born white and privileged. I am grateful I was and there is nothing wrong with that. But don't distort reality to make yourself feel better.
I did not at all grow up privileged. I grew up on the poor side of a very middle class area. One of our family cars was always falling apart. Many things did not work the way they were supposed to so you had to work around and deal with it.
But I made sure not to fall into the poverty traps of quitting high school, marrying before age 25, and having kids out of wedlock. Those three things are what cause poverty, not what color your skin is. If it was about people in poverty getting to the head of the line we should also be talking about poor whites in Appalachia. But we never do.
Having a computer in your home to day is almost like having a phone in the 1960s. IOW, almost universal. And if you do not have one chances are you know someone that does. For that reason I am calling Barbara Streisand on the article.
1.) Reliable internet access in the early morning hours just after midnight when blocks of appointments become available.
2.) Reliable transportation to get to appointment often tens to a hundred miles away.
3.) A flexible schedule allowing a person to get to appointment.
Lower income and that means minorities are less likely to have any of these option than there white counterparts, including less flexible schedules because low income jobs are not work from home.
And the data bears this out. Anything else is just spinning the facts.
Quote: kewljYou guys can skew the data anyway you like but here are the hard cold facts. Securing a vacinne appointment and getting vaccinated requires 3 things.
1.) Reliable internet access in the early morning hours just after midnight when blocks of appointments become available.
2.) Reliable transportation to get to appointment often tens to a hundred miles away.
3.) A flexible schedule allowing a person to get to appointment.
Lower income and that means minorities are less likely to have any of these option than there white counterparts, including less flexible schedules because low income jobs are not work from home.
And the data bears this out. Anything else is just spinning the facts.
Are you aware how racist that statement is?
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: kewlj
Lower income and that means minorities are less likely to have any of these option than there white counterparts, including less flexible schedules because low income jobs are not work from home.
And the data bears this out. Anything else is just spinning the facts.
Are you aware how racist that statement is?
Politicians are racist if you hadn't noticed. Politically correct statement would say Lower income including minorities.
Quote: AZDuffmanBut I made sure not to fall into the poverty traps of quitting high school, marrying before age 25, and having kids out of wedlock. Those three things are what cause poverty, not what color your skin is. If it was about people in poverty getting to the head of the line we should also be talking about poor whites in Appalachia. But we never do.
This is a very good point. There are some things that are universal in fighting the war on poverty. These same things that poor people in the Bronx, will also help poor people in rural Kentucky. Likewise there are things that are universal in perpetuating poverty, which is why we see generations remain poor in both the biggest cities and smallest towns. Perhaps we should focus attention on things that effect both of them.
Quote: AZDuffmanHaving a computer in your home to day is almost like having a phone in the 1960s. IOW, almost universal. And if you do not have one chances are you know someone that does. For that reason I am calling Barbara Streisand on the article.
Very quick research shows about 1-in-8 do not have internet access. I'm guessing that could be only a phone or computer for some of the 7-in-8 that do have access. Some people who use their phone for internet are on data plans, which means paying more if they use it too much. Cheap wifi and / or a cheap computer can make it a pain to go online. Even if the technology access is only a small problem, effecting only a few people, the solution seems so easy, and it makes it better for everyone. Nevada is doing their registration in a very easy way, where limited computer or internet access is a much smaller barrier compared to how other states are doing it.
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: kewljYou guys can skew the data anyway you like but here are the hard cold facts. Securing a vacinne appointment and getting vaccinated requires 3 things.
1.) Reliable internet access in the early morning hours just after midnight when blocks of appointments become available.
2.) Reliable transportation to get to appointment often tens to a hundred miles away.
3.) A flexible schedule allowing a person to get to appointment.
Lower income and that means minorities are less likely to have any of these option than there white counterparts, including less flexible schedules because low income jobs are not work from home.
And the data bears this out. Anything else is just spinning the facts.
Are you aware how racist that statement is?
You are calling me racist? You are denying you were privileged because you grew up "lower middle class".
You and members of your family weren't denied housing, employment, education and just general services from some private businesses because of the color or your skin. To that extent all of us, including me, that grew up white were privileged.
No one has to apologize for that but don't pretend to be ignorant to that fact either. It is insulting to all.
Quote: ChumpChangeI've never had a COVID test. Do I need one before I get vaccinated?
No. I guess I’m only talking authoritatively about New York State.
Quote: TomGThese same things that poor people in the Bronx, will also help poor people in rural Kentucky..
One of the problems is idealization of the nuclear family no matter what. Get out of your environment if you're family is a "s***ty environment, and your friends are shiftless losers, Promoting family values was one of the most shortsighted ideas ever when it doesn't take into account what kind of family you have.
oops, coronavirus, continue.
Quote: kewljQuote: AZDuffmanQuote: kewljYou guys can skew the data anyway you like but here are the hard cold facts. Securing a vacinne appointment and getting vaccinated requires 3 things.
1.) Reliable internet access in the early morning hours just after midnight when blocks of appointments become available.
2.) Reliable transportation to get to appointment often tens to a hundred miles away.
3.) A flexible schedule allowing a person to get to appointment.
Lower income and that means minorities are less likely to have any of these option than there white counterparts, including less flexible schedules because low income jobs are not work from home.
And the data bears this out. Anything else is just spinning the facts.
Are you aware how racist that statement is?
You are calling me racist? You are denying you were privileged because you grew up "lower middle class".
You and members of your family weren't denied housing, employment, education and just general services from some private businesses because of the color or your skin. To that extent all of us, including me, that grew up white were privileged.
No one has to apologize for that but don't pretend to be ignorant to that fact either. It is insulting to all.
I am stating that to say "lower income = minorities" would be a racist statement because it both assumes minorities are low income and at the same time ignores lower income whites. As to "denied services" well I was denied things like "minority scholarships" and the like.
In a statement Monday, the U.N. health agency said it was authorizing the AstraZeneca vaccines made by the Serum Institute of India and South Korea’s AstraZeneca-SKBio.
WHO’s green light for the AstraZeneca vaccine should trigger the delivery of hundreds of millions of doses to countries that have signed up for the U.N.-backed COVAX effort, which aims to deliver vaccines to the world’s most vulnerable.
“Countries with no access to vaccines to date will finally be able to start vaccinating their health workers and populations at risk,” said Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO's Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.
Earlier this month, AstraZeneca said it expected results from its U.S. trial in the next month to six weeks, according to Reuters.
Although WHO does not approve or regulate vaccines, it assesses their safety and effectiveness for developing countries that don’t have a strong regulatory system.
Quote: TomGThis is a very good point. There are some things that are universal in fighting the war on poverty. These same things that poor people in the Bronx, will also help poor people in rural Kentucky. Likewise there are things that are universal in perpetuating poverty, which is why we see generations remain poor in both the biggest cities and smallest towns. Perhaps we should focus attention on things that effect both of them.
We are getting near a thread split but you are correct. Bad family planning is the biggest driver of poverty. Like at the tail of "Rosanne" when Darlene let herself get pregnant and Rosanne was crestfallen because she knew Darlene sentenced herself to a lower class life of struggle.
Quote:Very quick research shows about 1-in-8 do not have internet access. I'm guessing that could be only a phone or computer for some of the 7-in-8 that do have access. Some people who use their phone for internet are on data plans, which means paying more if they use it too much. Cheap wifi and / or a cheap computer can make it a pain to go online. Even if the technology access is only a small problem, effecting only a few people, the solution seems so easy, and it makes it better for everyone. Nevada is doing their registration in a very easy way, where limited computer or internet access is a much smaller barrier compared to how other states are doing it.
The registration could be done a different way. An app could be developed which would open things up to more people. Then all you need is your smartphone, which probably has better than 7 in 8 penetration. Internet access does not matter, just use some data. There could be a sight sign-in but then we would hear another excuse of having to make an extra trip. For the most part I do not think tech access is the issue, though.
Quote: AZDuffmanThen all you need is your smartphone, which probably has better than 7 in 8 penetration.
If internet access at home is 7-in-8, then it is almost certain the number of people who have a smartphones is less than 7-in-8.
Quote: AZDuffmanInternet access does not matter, just use some data. There could be a sight sign-in but then we would hear another excuse of having to make an extra trip. For the most part I do not think tech access is the issue, though.
The issue is the ridiculous ways some states made registration / scheduling. Everyone should just submit their name, along with what makes them eligible (age, occupation, etc). Then someone (or some system) can reach out to them by email, phone, text, etc., when it is their turn to schedule, and they just click a few links or chat for a couple minutes. It is the first-come-first-serve scheduling in some states that leaves certain groups limited in their ability to get their vaccine. Those groups would include people with bad internet connection, which is a lot more than just people without any internet.
What does that mean? She wasn't actually eligible, but you somehow found a way to circumvent the system and get her a shot before someone much more deserving of it?Quote: MDawgI pulled some strings and got my wife the vaccine, first shot.
Quote: AxelWolfWhat does that mean? She wasn't actually eligible, but you somehow found a way to circumvent the system and get her a shot before someone much more deserving of it?
Welcome to the real world, Axel! How many politicians ‘showed a good example’ by jumping the line? You think Vice President Harris is a front line responder? Or over 65?
The ‘much more deserving’ is a totally subjective decision. Some states (NY included) include teachers, other states don’t. Are you saying a teacher in NY is much more deserving than a teacher in Texas, who would not qualify? A friend, 80, got the shot because his son knew a bigwig at a pharmacy. He qualified, but didn’t have to try and get an appointment like those ‘not pulling strings’ did.
Quote: TomGIf internet access at home is 7-in-8, then it is almost certain the number of people who have a smartphones is less than 7-in-8.
How do you figure that? Homeless people have smartphones.
We are not talking about other people, I am talking about MD.Quote: SOOPOOWelcome to the real world, Axel! How many politicians ‘showed a good example’ by jumping the line? You think Vice President Harris is a front line responder? Or over 65?
The ‘much more deserving’ is a totally subjective decision. Some states (NY included) include teachers, other states don’t. Are you saying a teacher in NY is much more deserving than a teacher in Texas, who would not qualify? A friend, 80, got the shot because his son knew a bigwig at a pharmacy. He qualified, but didn’t have to try and get an appointment like those ‘not pulling strings’ did.
FYI, no one is talking about him... unless I'm involved, go see for yourself on this and other forums, it's so very obvious. I'm sure he will try to change that now that I brought it to his attention. I may be the bane of of his existence, but he needs me for his existence to really be noticed at all.
Quote: AZDuffmanAnyone who wants mine can have it.
She got AZD's place in line.
Quote: AZDuffmanHow do you figure that? Homeless people have smartphones.
Given the nature of wov participants to focus on the most meaningless minutiae, I should have chosen my words more carefully. If 87% of America have internet access, and having a smartphone means having internet access, then the percentage of Americans with a smartphone must be less than 87%. That is just basic logic.
I guess it is possible to have an iphone and only use it for phone calls, a camera, and none of the features that require an internet connection. But if there are people who do that, it would mean your idea of apps would be even worse than a website, as it would disqualify even more people from scheduling a vaccine appointment. Only people with a smartphone and internet access could do so, instead of only people with internet.
Quote: AxelWolfWhat does that mean? She wasn't actually eligible, but you somehow found a way to circumvent the system and get her a shot before someone much more deserving of it?
He asked his host!
Quote: AZDuffmanHow do you figure that? Homeless people have smartphones.
While it's always possible, in my experience the majority of homeless don't have smart phones.
They may have some cheap phone with limited service. Some phones are given out by social services because one requirement of receiving benefits is that they be able to contact you which if you are homeless without even a phone becomes next to impossible
Quote: darkozWhile it's always possible, in my experience the majority of homeless don't have smart phones.
They may have some cheap phone with limited service. Some phones are given out by social services because one requirement of receiving benefits is that they be able to contact you which if you are homeless without even a phone becomes next to impossible
Probably depends on what "grade" of homelessness you are talking about. I remember reading about one homeless guy who kept a bank safe deposit box for his vital records because he knew though he had no choice about being homeless he intended to get out of the situation and knew he needed his records. A person trying to get out of being homeless would be smart to get a phone so job prospects can call them. Or possible living situations. You are talking $50 a month if you do it right.
Now, mentally ill homeless or addicts who will do anything just to get a high those might be far less likely to have a phone. But you can get a cheapo used smart phone now so I would wager far more homeless have them than the average person thinks. For sure more in the tent cities in left coast cities like SF, Portland, LA, etc. When a person gets a tent they might be homeless but they are getting organized about it.
$20 for 3 months. 400 minutes.
It technically had Internet access. But it was completely unusable. Literally, I was never able to use it for anything, All it did was waste minutes. The only time I used it was when I accidently activated it.
If homeless are using that, they don't have Internet even though they do.
*of course I do have home internet with Cox cable & wifi , 3 smart phones, 2 used only for quadcopters, one for a real smart phone, 2 laptops, 1 desktop, and a oculus Rift, edit, and a mini Ipad4
Quote: AxelWolfNV should shoot any smokers, drinkers or AP's to the front of the line..
You could’ve ended your sentence after the word smokers.
Quote: AZDuffmanProbably depends on what "grade" of homelessness you are talking about. I remember reading about one homeless guy who kept a bank safe deposit box for his vital records because he knew though he had no choice about being homeless he intended to get out of the situation and knew he needed his records. A person trying to get out of being homeless would be smart to get a phone so job prospects can call them. Or possible living situations. You are talking $50 a month if you do it right.
Now, mentally ill homeless or addicts who will do anything just to get a high those might be far less likely to have a phone. But you can get a cheapo used smart phone now so I would wager far more homeless have them than the average person thinks. For sure more in the tent cities in left coast cities like SF, Portland, LA, etc. When a person gets a tent they might be homeless but they are getting organized about it.
This is true but judging from my personal time actually homeless and living on the Subway and street that "grade" of homeless that is high enough to get a smartphone is a minority.
Majority of homeless don't have smartphone, don't have long term plans and have panhandling as their primary if not only income.
They have addiction problems, yes. Sadly they are the majority.
I met one man who was homeless but worked at the United Nations. He actually slept in a suit.
I met another who worked for the Harlem Globetrotters. He wasn't a Globetrotter, he worked for them. He claimed he was on the road so much it made no sense to keep a home. When they were between road trips he slept the streets. He had a locker where he kept his belongings. He probably could have afforded to get a place but was making a thrifty choice.
So, yes, that higher grade of homeless does exist but few and far between
