We daily hear the call for Americans to get vaccinated. Yet, amazingly, after a year of over 600,000 American dead, far too many refuse to get the vaccine that can save not only their lives, but the lives of their loved ones.

We live in a nation where misinformation and conspiracies abound. Many still believe the “big lie” that the presidential election was rigged or stolen, even though not an iota of evidence is given to support such absurdity. And sadly, too many refuse to concede that the Jan. 6 attack on our Capitol was truly an act of treasonous sedition.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that many of those espousing such nonsense also believe the covid vaccine will do them harm instead of good.

Getting vaccinated should be an act of patriotism, and the vaccinated must not be held hostage to the unvaccinated. The unvaccinated cannot be allowed to deprive the rest of us our rights to safety and the basic pleasures and freedoms of daily life. Thus the need for businesses, government and educational institutions to mandate the vaccine.

Vaccine ignorance cannot be allowed to undermine the nation’s recovery. Otherwise, this pandemic will never be put to rest.

Ron Slabe

Oakmont

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