VACCINATE: Or take responsibility

I have written several letters to The Press about the response (or lack there of) to the COVID-19 virus. The appallingly low vaccination rates still endure. We are at most weeks away from the onslaught of the Omicron variant (it is already in Idaho).

At this point it is clear those who are not vaccinated have no concern for family, friends or fellow citizens of Kootenai County. So…my suggestion is that those who choose not to be vaccinated should not be admitted to our hospital when they become infected (90% of those admitted for the virus are unvaccinated).

There are vaccinated folks unable to be admitted for necessary (and sometimes life-saving) procedures due to COVID cases (90% unvaccinated). If you don’t think the virus is a “real” problem…fine take a few aspirin and recover (or not) at home.

Among our vaccinated friends (and family), no cases. Among those few we know not vaccinated, two fatalities and two long-term COVID cases.

The choice should be clear: Get vaccinated or live with your choice not to be vaccinated, but don’t keep vaccinated folks out of our hospitals.

MATTHEW AMES

Bayview