Earthtalk

To the Editor: Over the past year I have spent numerous days in a prestigious hospital, where I am continuously impressed by the dedication and courage of the nurses, doctors and other staff. My wife and I recently engaged a nurse in conversation about patients who refuse to be vaccinated. Their refusal put her and her colleagues at great risk, and she was angry, fed up with the senselessness of it. She spoke of patients who refused a diagnosis of Covid-19 right up to the moment they died from it. As an immunocompromised elderly person, I, too, am angered by the anti-vaccine, maskless crowd putting my life at risk. Their so-called “freedom” is my imprisonment, forcing me to avoid grocery stores, restaurants, subways and any other venue where people gather. Politicians and others who, for political gain, fan the flames of this resistance are responsible for thousands of avoidable deaths and need to be held accountable, starting at the ballot box. NY Times 12-20-21