Editor:
I am writing in response to a recent letter entitled suggesting a more measured approach (Optimist, Sept. 30).
I agree that we need to try to treat each other with love and concern during these difficult times, but also feel that I must address some factual errors within this letter, especially since the writer also identifies as a former health care professional, which may provide her opinion with more weight.
Since January 2020, much more is understood regarding the COVID-19 virus and it is now well known and scientifically proven that the dominant Delta variant is highly transmissible especially indoors when we speak, laugh, sneeze and talk loudly.
Infected people are infectious up to three days prior to developing symptoms as well as when they are starting to feel symptoms. The Delta variant causes more severe infections and the vast majority of hospitalized patients, those in ICU and those who are dying, are not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated.
She writes about ways to stay safe and healthy, but the one most important way, being vaccinated, which will stop this virus and protect our own health and safety and those of our families, friends and communities, has been relegated to the end.
Each individual choice and decision to get vaccinated is what will actually free us to stop living in fear, eventually participate fully in our community and live a healthy lifestyle. This is not “fear mongering” it is speaking the truth and our way to ending this pandemic in our own communities and in the world eventually.
Wanda Brown
