LETTER: Science conquered polio, now it can save us from Covid-19

To Ozaukee Press:

In last week’s Ozaukee Press, I read juxtaposed letters to the editor from Ted Poull and Renee Forbes. Poull advocated science and facts, whereas Forbes called for a prayer of entreaty, “Lord help her child.”  

It took Dr. Jonas Salk seven years (1948-1955) to find the cause and the vaccine remedy for the childhood polio virus. Once discovered that the virus spread via oral/fecal transmission, municipalities throughout America closed community swimming holes and began building chlorinated pools, Port Washington included. School children waited in vaporous rooms of disinfectant, with permission slips for inoculations.

Fast forward to 2020 and 65 years of medical, scientific and laboratory research. Knowing America’s capability, President Trump instituted a “warp-speed” medical, scientific investigation into the cause, spread and a preventive vaccine for the Covid virus. America got it done, and he received the vaccine, along with his family.

Americans who receive the vaccine contribute to preventing the spread of Covid. But to the chagrin of health scientists and medical workers, hospital admissions are now up among the unvaccinated, who plead with doctors from hospital ICU beds, albeit too late, for the vaccine.

Last year, doctors were concerned about the elderly. Currently, 75% of them have received vaccination. The medical focus is now on the variant virus affecting youth, infants, teenagers, toddlers, expectant mothers and young adults.

Dr. Jonas Salk made possible a vaccine used worldwide. Dr. Anthony Fauci increased the availability for HIV/AIDS treatments, saving countless lives. Now he advocates for Americans to get the Covid vaccine.

Perhaps Renee Forbes and others of a similar mind-set are waiting for angels to fall from the sky.

America is the land of the free, the home of the brave. The brave do the right thing; the free come together to make it happen.

Ken Bretl
Fredonia