Rights come with responsibilities
I concur with the recent “My Turn” submission from Aaron Jacobs. We adults have rights guaranteed to us by law. We also have responsibilities such as paying taxes and obeying the law. Along with rights come responsibilities. Along with choices come consequences. They are two sides of the same coin. You cannot have one without the other. Even Christianity teaches this (heaven/hell).
Currently, the anti-vaccination and anti-mask crowd is vocal about their “right” to skip the vaccine (for whatever reason) or not wear a mask. Fine, then accept the consequences of that action. Hospitals should allocate a set number of beds for COVID patients with those beds allocated to vaccinated individuals, unvaccinated minors, or those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Another set number of beds can remain for the unvaccinated. When they are full, they are full. ER gives you some Tylenol and sends you home. Hospitals should retain a set number of beds for emergencies (non-COVID) for needed medical procedures such as heart attacks, brain surgeries, cancer treatment, etc.
It is not the responsibility of medical professionals (the real heroes here) or the community at large to sacrifice for your choices. You make a choice; you live or die with that choice. It is your right. It is also the right of others to not let your actions endanger the community at large. You might say we treat drunken drivers or people who nearly drown playing foolishly in the water. This is correct. But in normal times a poor decision by one does not preclude others from receiving quality medical care. That is not the case now. Others cannot obtain needed care, hospital workers are exhausted, and the medical system is near collapse. These are not normal times. Actions have consequences. That is life, or death.
Kevin Sweeney
Waikoloa
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Ivermectin treatments
To those who choose not to get a COVID vaccine and instead use Ivermectin, please follow this advice. Do not go to the hospital if things go bad. Instead, take yourself or loved ones to a veterinary clinic.
Michael McGuire
Keauhou
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