Sympathy for the unvaccinated?

On Nov. 21 Althea Cole wrote a column asking for sympathy for those who refuse to get vaccinated for COVID-19. No, our sympathy should go to the overworked doctors and nurses fighting to save those infected with COVID-19. Our sympathies should go to those who are afflicted with long COVID, sickness that lasts months after the initial infection. Our sympathies should go to families who have lost loved ones who were sickened and died from breakthrough cases (usually people with underlying health conditions). Even though they were vaccinated, COVID got through due to people in their communities who refused to get vaccinated, who refused to wear masks, and who spread the disease to others. Our sympathies should go to the businesses and venues stifled from the economic effects of the COVID pandemic.

Cole puts forth the excuse that there might be unknown long-term side-effects from vaccinations. After nearly a year of extensive vaccinations that is not the case. But there are known short-term effects to being unvaccinated: 7,268 Iowans dead, 769,643 Americans dead. COVID will continue to sicken and kill until we all step up and wear masks and get vaccinated to protect our own health and the health of our fellow Iowans.

Robert Miklo

Iowa City