Letter to the editor: Polio was conquered; covid-19 will be, too

There was a virus that consumed our country some years ago called polio, poliomyelitis or infantile paralysis, since it affected many children. In its early stages, its symptoms acted as the common cold or the flu, but in the advanced stage, it attacked the spine and lungs. This caused paralysis of the limbs and lungs. Remember the iron lung?

The general public was in a state of concern and worry over this virus, but our country was not shut down. We attended school every day, went to work, went to church and shopped.

The medical community told us that this disease was spread through feces and the air. Through it all, there were no rules or regulations about social distancing, washing of hands, disinfecting of surfaces and especially the wearing of masks. Life went on.

Finally, there was a savior in our midst, Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed a vaccine that killed the virus and saved us all. I received the injection when I was in elementary school.

There will be treatments and a vaccine to combat this pandemic. Stay strong! Critically think of what you are told and by whom. Only then will you cure this problem.

George W. Bahnak

Penn Township, Westmoreland County