I am writing this letter in response to the article “Utahns’ choices are hurting children.” I applaud the boldness of this article especially, when people here in Utah seem to disregard the COVID-19 virus like it’s just a common cold that will go away on its own.
While I acknowledge everyone has the right to make personal choices, putting our young children at risk for serious COVID-19 cases is unacceptable. One child lost to COVID-19 is one too many. When physicians and hospital officials are deeply concerned about the current rise in COVID-19 children’s cases, it should serve as a wakeup call for all — particularly parents — to support children wearing masks in school, adults wearing masks in public spaces and vaccination for those eligible. I’m merely agreeing that as residents of Utah that we all do our part and protect our children from this deadly virus.
I acknowledge the hard working doctors, nurses and hospital staff -- particularly those that work with the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital — for doing an amazing job even with the recent lack of hospital beds in the ICU pediatrics. Current statistics from Intermountain Heathcare showed 93% of individuals not fully vaccinated in ICU with COVID-19 while only 7% of individuals fully vaccinated in the ICU. 91% of individuals on a ventilators not fully vaccinated with only 9% fully vaccinated individuals on a ventilators. These professionals spent many waking hours caring for the many new COVID-19 children’s cases. Consider the many sacrifices made by these health care workers and COVID deaths they have seen. Deaths that could have been prevented, and future COVID deaths that can still be prevented if we just take a moment to research, ask medical experts questions, and garner knowledge before we reject the notion of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and wearing masks.
Jennifer S. Carter, Morgan
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