Learn how vaccines work
This is in reply to Noel Snyder’s Dec. 7 letter raising doubts about the forthcoming Corona virus vaccines. I don’t know what Mr. Snyder’s qualifications are, but he seems woefully misinformed about viruses and vaccines in general.
While it is true that viruses can mutate, it is not true that they do so with each infection. Consequently, it is also untrue that vaccines are always too far behind to be effective. For instance, small pox and poliomyelitis are caused by viruses and both diseases have been virtually exterminated by vaccines.
The flu virus may be particularly pernicious because of frequent mutation, but the flu vaccine each year has drastically reduced the number of influenza cases as well as their severity, especially among the elderly.
Suggesting that the forthcoming Corona virus vaccines are “potentially dangerous” is a disservice to our community. Vaccines are rarely 100% effective, but these have been shown to have 90%+ effectiveness. No one has died from the vaccines, but many have died from the virus.
While his suggestions about healthy behaviors are good in general, such behaviors will offer zero protection from viral infection. Unless you have previously had Covid 19, you have no immunity to it. Your choice is to take the vaccine with its 90%+ effectiveness or wait until 70%+ of your neighbors take it so you can benefit from the immunity of the herd. I will take it to get my protection sooner and to help my community.
John Sucke
Waimea
Boosting sales by denying COVID-19?
Hawaiian Airlines is in a pickle. With the virus surging on the mainland even the CDC says it is best not to travel. So how is Hawaiian dealing with this? Why, expand routes to areas where the virus is considered a hoax, of course!
Hawaiian expanded routes to Florida, Texas and Ontario, Ca. Anyone who watches any news at all knows that both Texas and Florida do not have mask mandates and both states regard the virus as a minor inconvenience despite their high infections and death rates. Ontario, Ca is in San Bernardino County which has been reported to be one of the most infected counties on the mainland. The County Sheriff there has refused to enforce any COVID-19 rules. Amazing.
So Hawaiian Airlines hopes to boost sales by recruiting COVID-19 deniers to travel to Hawaii. Perfect plan. Except for us, of course, who will suffer the fate of infected tourists who don’t think the virus is real. Maybe someone in authority could dissect Hawaiian Airlines thinking on these dangerous route expansions?
Joseph Appleton
Waimea