Hospitals are out of room. Doctors and nurses are stressed out. Elective surgeries are out. We have a duty to support those whose job it is to support us, for all of us see a doctor or go to a hospital, often to take medication that we have no idea what’s in it. So my question is simple – When is your right to not mask up or get vaccinated greater than your obligation to the health and well-being of others?
Do you think it is helping end this pandemic by sticking to your views when all of those around you are getting the vaccine? Those whose viewpoints have to do with “my right as an American” fail to take into account that they do not live in a vacuum.
Don’t get lost in the politics of self-determination. You have every right to ignore science or climate change. You can drive while texting (not legally). You can ignore requests to wear a mask and not get vaccinated. Choices have ramifications. I have relatives, friends and neighbors in the health care industry. Today, some are denied health care because many feel getting a jab or wearing a mask is out of the question and they are spreading this bug around without regard. Knee surgeries, hip replacements, cancer screenings, all sorts of things are not being done because they have a right.
These extremist views are dangerous, and so are the vast majority of Republicans who ignore the events of a year ago. Personal freedoms are fine, except with woman’s health, says the GOP. Infrastructure spending will break the bank, but tax breaks for wealthy corporations won’t. It is an upside-down world when words and intellect don’t matter and make-believe is the rule of the day.
Ed Surprenant
Jaffrey