Global COVID vaccine, sex education and other Tri-City Herald letters to the editor

Global COVID-19 vaccination critical

The new variant that has prompted travel restrictions on South Africa and surrounding countries highlights the critical need for more equitable global vaccine distribution. The vaccination rates for the countries on the travel restriction list range from about 3% to 24%, compared to the United States’ about 59% (65% in Washington). The U.S. has led the world in the development, manufacture and distribution of vaccines. We have donated the most vaccines of any nation, including 9 million recently to Sub-Saharan Africa, and we have pledged to donate hundreds of millions more. The speed of the United States’ development and mass manufacture of the vaccine such that its citizens can now get a second round of vaccination is miraculous; however we must do more to replicate this success in other parts of the world.

Though there is an argument for looking after oneself first, or being cautious about removing incentives for corporations, there is a moral imperative here. In the end, we can say we were a nation that acted selflessly to save lives. Please write to our representatives, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and Congressman Dan Newhouse, expressing support for efforts to increase global vaccination rates.

Daniel Claborne, Richland

Time to stop being such contrarians

When did we stop shaming or shunning leaders or citizens who failed to fulfill their civic responsibilities? Or why did we get rid of stocks?

Or for those who are so damn proud in their refusal to get vaccinated, why not have them wear a crimson U on their foreheads or on an armband?

Of course that won’t happen now, because we don’t live in one of the quasi-theocratic New England Colonies or in Austria where the unvaccinated are subject to lockdowns.

We live in Washington state where citizens buckle up their seat belts and refrain from using their cell phones while driving.

So stop being contrarians. Please get vaccinated and start wearing face masks so all of us can start enjoying life again.

Boyce Burdick, Richland

Be wary of sex ed by government

Our community has been a good place to raise a family and build a business. There is ample opportunity for work and the possibility of a generous standard of living to raise families. As a result of that, our teachers and administrators are some of the highest paid in the country and deservingly so.

Most average hard-working people value their family above all else and would choose to be involved in what the government schools are teaching and preaching — especially if they know what the end goal of the teaching is.

Many of us are beginning to “look under the hood” of what is being mandated by national and state educators. It is beyond frightening how insidious and clever the ideologues are with taking very young minds and planting thoughts and ideas that should only be taught when a child is ready and taught by parents who love their children, not the activist.

Stand up, push back and opt out of these government programs. There are good options available where the parents can influence when and how sex education occurs (and the many flavors which are pushed by others) onto these very fresh young impressionable minds.

Michael Campbell, Pasco

Richland voters made city history

Richland city voters made history in the 2021 election by selecting Jhoanna Jones as the first American-Indian/ Latina candidate to win a seat at the Richland City Council. Jhoanna won 52% of the vote and beat Bob Thompson, the almost 30-year incumbent, and Chaune Fitzgerald, a newcomer. Jhoanna pledged to bring common-sense solutions to our city’s housing, homeless and safety crisis in her campaign. Jhoanna promised to advocate for our small business and law enforcement community and bring solutions to our city’s many ills.

Jhoanna is a Colombian immigrant who came from poverty and homelessness. However, you could only know this if you had the opportunity to meet and speak with her during her campaign, riding her electric scooter to reach her 10,000 doors goal. Jhoanna is a hardworking person willing to do the work it takes to help our Richland community.

Veronica Q. Arias, Richland