Iowans, get vaccinated and save our country

More than 6,200 Iowans have now died from COVID. That is the same number of Iowans who die each year from all forms of cancer. But there are two important differences between cancer and coronavirus. The COVID vaccine protects us from the virus but there is no vaccine for 99 percent of cancers. Being unvaccinated greatly increases your risk of catching COVID, being hospitalized for it and dying, period.

The other crucial difference from cancer is that COVID readily spreads to others — family, friends, co-workers. Cancer does not spread through the air. It cannot "infect" those around you.

If you wish to be truly patriotic, get vaccinated and wear a mask. Save this country we love from a deadly, preventable disease.

Mary Kemen, MD

Cedar Rapids