Vaccinations help keep hospital beds, schools available

To the Editor:

Dr. James Worthy, a Texas physician addressing a shortage of hospital beds due to non-vaccinated covid variant patients, said that he dislikes the term “elective surgery” because it sounds like “a mere tummy tuck” issue rather than serious procedures that need to happen, even if they’re not considered life-threatening.

Some people with pancreatic and cardio procedures have in fact died when a simple operation would likely have saved them. The unending selfishness of those who could safely get the shots, but who think that “freedom” equals irresponsibility, has created havoc in several school districts as well as medical institutions.

We have better things to spend our money, life, and resources on than fear-based notions. Our children and grandchildren depend on us to make sensible decisions so that their survival is made more likely.

Michael Kiefel

Washington