Dear Editor:

In the Sept. 16 issue of the Powell Tribune, Diane Martin seems to make an indictment of the care that her mother gets at Powell Valley Healthcare, and that 100% vaccination of populations will eradicate COVID-19. She begins a discourse on vaccinations with the history of all vaccines up until now. All but one of those vaccines she mentions have proven to prevent the illnesses for which they were created. The COVID-19 vaccine, however, has never been shown to be much greater than 90% effective in preventing infection, but only to prevent major hospitalizations.

My father is in a nursing home, as well; we can relate when Ms. Martin says she wants her mother to live in safety. Wearing masks, as she aptly states, is not practical for nursing home patients for many reasons. Caregivers and visitors are required to wear masks. Although masks or social distancing has never been definitively proved to be effective in reducing viral transmission. (Note: If you can smell smoke through your mask, you have no virus protection.) The best we can hope for is vaccination of the truly vulnerable. All others need to make their own informed decision regarding vaccination based upon factual (albeit frequently contradictory) information and their personal situation. 

Our citizens are in a situation where the word “choice” is now supplanted by the notion of “or else.” Our government believes that its their place to dictate people’s healthcare. People should be responsible for their own healthcare in conjunction with healthcare professionals, NOT politicians. Politicians are publicly criticizing those who make the choice that seems right for them, especially if their doctor has told them to not get this vaccination. This needs to stop.

Why is this still a political football? Because our governing bodies have turned to shaming the unvaccinated ignoring the fact that much of our population has developed natural immunity. They supposedly want to protect us from COVID but not from drugs like fentanyl, human trafficking (especially children), gangs, raging mobs, terrorists or the unrestricted COVID coming over our border. Our freedoms, including the freedom of choice, are slowly being taken from us so they can be given to others who have not earned the right to have them.

Linda and Bob Graff

Powell