Dear Editor:
The COVID pandemic has pitted an individual’s freedom of choice against the responsibility to the greater good of society in a way that hasn’t been seen in over a …
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Dear Editor:
The COVID pandemic has pitted an individual’s freedom of choice against the responsibility to the greater good of society in a way that hasn’t been seen in over a century. While it is my opinion that someone else’s choice should never be allowed to threaten my own well-being, that’s still an unanswered question.
The governors of certain states have made a decision to place individual choice over the welfare of the general population by outlawing vaccine requirements put in place in school districts, hospitals or private companies within their states. These directives will end up in court, and I expect the question of freedom versus responsibility will eventually be answered.
Right now, however, hospitals are full of people who have chosen not to be vaccinated against COVID. As a result, other people, who did not choose life-threatening medical conditions they may be suffering from, are unable to obtain the medical care they need.
One aspect of freedom of choice is to live (or die) with the consequences of your decision. Ideally, an unvaccinated person suffering from COVID would exert his/her rugged individualism, power through the pain and just stay home rather than seeking medical care. Failing that, I would postulate that hospitals need to reevaluate their priorities and start turning away unvaccinated COVID patients, rather than the people who are suffering, and perhaps dying, from conditions they have no control over.
Phil Anthony
Powell