EDITORIAL: Let's do our part to end the COVID nightmare and get vaccinated

Orange County Register - 8/23/2021

Aug. 21—The COVID-19 vaccinations have unfortunately become the latest dividing line in our nation's culture wars, even as the Delta variant is causing a surge in coronavirus cases. In California, around 65 percent of the public is fully vaccinated — but polls show that around half of those who have not yet been vaccinated have no plans to get the vaccine.

The latest talking point from anti-vaxxers is that the vaccines are ineffective given that a small percentage of vaccinated people later are infected by the virus. They don't mention that the overwhelming number of new cases — especially deadly ones — are among the unvaccinated.

"COVID-19 vaccines are effective," notes the Centers for Disease Control. "However, a small percentage of people who are fully vaccinated will still get COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus that causes it. .... (W)hile people who have been vaccinated are much less likely to get sick, it will still happen in some cases." All vaccines have breakthrough cases.

CDC studies show that vaccine effectiveness has declined, but that the vaccines still have effectiveness rates of more than 80 percent against infection — and they offer "strong protection against hospitalization amid (the) delta variant," the Washington Post explained in examining those studies.

We struggle to understand the concerns of vaccination opponents, some of whom trade in rumors and conspiracy theories. We oppose governmental efforts to mandate vaccines for the general public (as opposed to their employees). We have no problem with private companies requiring them for their workers and customers. But the current discussion shouldn't focus on mandates.

Californians should voluntarily get jabbed to protect themselves and their neighbors. Those who resist the vaccine are prolonging the measures that understandably upset them — the shutdowns and mask requirements. Vaccines have a remarkable history of eradicating serious diseases from polio to tetanus.

The good news is that vaccine resistance is fading and the vaccines are readily available. We urge any unvaccinated readers to make an appointment to get one as soon as possible. It's the best way to put this nightmare behind us.

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