Tri-City Herald letter writers weigh in on COVID, the environment and abortion

You are on your own with COVID

I am familiar with successful therapies in many diseases, yet now am much less enthused by how COVID-19 has been managed. I’m a firm believer in vaccines, and have been since the Army. The flu shot and pneumonia vaccines for seniors are safe and effective for most.

I am, however, no longer enthusiastic about COVID vaccines — having had 3 shots, the 4th “unavailable.” My wife and I are coming off more than a week of severe COVID, confirmed by antigen test. First time for us. I saw several ads for a “newly updated” booster, and oral medicines for seniors; those with comorbid conditions. These ads and the tiresome pitch by Biden are misleading.

My wife and I were on our own to care for ourselves. COVID is a plague, and when you’re sick no one wants anything to do with you. My doctor said to “use my inhaler,” which would’ve helped, yet a waste as I did not have the strength to use it. All the noise about vaccines, oral medicines, and I’m told to use my inhaler. As for the hospital, not a chance, that’s a one-way trip, in my opinion. Seniors don’t be naive. You are on your own!

Larry Clark, Kennewick

‘Silent Spring’ still speaks out to us

In reading Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,” a Cassandra-like warning to all residents of planet Earth, she reveals much as to how this once-pristine planet has been corrupted and corroded due to man’s inability to live in harmony with nature. Some people pollute accidentally, some people pollute purposely (for profit).

During this time of elections, I found this passage from her book relevant not only to our attitude toward nature, but the mindset of seemingly half the voters as well:

“Have we fallen into a mesmerized state that makes us accept as inevitable that which is inferior or detrimental, as though having lost the will or the vision to demand that which is good?”

Then again, to many Rachel Carson’s plea for a healthy environment and scientific insights might make her a “lib,” which the other side might angrily want to “own.”

Bink Owen, Walla Walla

SCOTUS ruling tramples on rights

Reported in the Oct. 6 Maryland Reporter.com: The recent SCOTUS ruling reversed a previous Roe v. Wade ruling of a woman’s right to an abortion.

Many medical organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognize the right to privacy and freedom of choice when it comes to a woman making decisions regarding her pregnancy. They also oppose any limitations to abortion by legislation or regulations.

Laws restricting women’s access to legal abortion services compels women to risk their lives and health by seeking out unsafe abortion care. Research shows women who are denied abortions have worse physical and mental health, as well as worse economic outcomes than those who seek and receive them.

In addition to the physical and mental health benefits, legal abortion also has shown to have financial benefits. In a brief to the SCOTUS, 154 economists wrote that access to legal abortion has led to women attaining higher levels of education and professional occupation and lower rates of children in poverty.

The rare and questionable SCOTUS’ overturning of a previous ruling tramples a woman’s freedom of choice related to her pregnancy.

William Petrie, Richland