To the editor: I learn with concern the opinions of anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now the U.S. secretary of Well being and Human Providers. I’m 80 and lived via the event of the early polio vaccine. I’ve a 91-year-old lifelong pal who has shared vivid recollections of contracting polio as a baby along with her twin brother.
My pal was positioned in a hospital isolation unit. She remembers that whereas there, her father would come to her window each day. She would battle to face on the mattress and wave so her father might see she was nonetheless alive. She had no information about her brother.
Lastly she recovered sufficient to go house. She remembers being cautious to not stumble. She didn’t need her father to fret about her.
On the automobile, her father stated that her brother couldn’t come house as a result of he died within the iron lung. She says that all through her childhood, she lived with the burden of her brother’s loss and her mother and father’ infinite grief.
At present, now we have efficient vaccines. Our kids shouldn’t have to die this manner.
Ann Duran, San Clemente
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To the editor: In a affirmation listening to for Kennedy, Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.), a doctor, expressed grave issues about RFK Jr.’s lengthy historical past of spreading vaccine conspiracy theories. That after all didn’t forestall Cassidy from voting to make Kennedy the top of the company that regulates vaccines.
Now, the senator’s house state has determined to cease selling mass vaccination within the title of medical freedom. And once more, he has grave issues.
When the inevitable outbreaks of measles, mumps, whooping cough and different ailments all of us thought had been left prior to now happen, I’m certain Cassidy will once more categorical grave concern. However will probably be too late then.
Janet Cerswell, Rancho Cucamonga