Letters to the Editor: Monster of hypocrisy marching across America

Unvaccinated take a pro-choice position

Very pleased to read that the Rev. Fitzpatrick was censured for his don’t-get-vaccinated preaching (Jan. 13, “Anti-vaccine priest in Hyannis censured by the Catholic bishop of Fall River”). Since 75% of the country is vaccinated with at least one dose, according to USAFacts.org, and those who are in hospitals, some dying, are almost all unvaccinated, where are the concerns for the sanctity of human life from the pro-life Catholics refusing to be vaccinated?

There is certainly no religious reason they can claim, since Pope Francis said that getting vaccinated was a “moral responsibility” and “an act of love,” and that choosing not to be vaccinated was “suicidal.”

Perhaps the Rev. Fitzpatrick is part of the cabal of priests and bishops here and there across the country, crazed to overturn Roe v. Wade, who have been recommending, for years, that parishioners vote for anti-abortion candidates. I’ve watched family and friends be converted into Republicans by their priests and bishops. And sadly, some who refused to be vaccinated have died from COVID-19. Here’s the irony — some “pro-lifers” are killing each other off.

Here’s another irony. Catholics choosing not to be vaccinated by claiming to be exercising their free will are now experiencing a “pro-choice” position.

Regrettably, the giant monster of hypocrisy is thumping across America right now.

Florence Adams, Orleans

No shots, no medical treatments

Resources for treating COVID-19 are becoming even more scarce, and the predicted surge of both the delta and omicron variants threatens to exacerbate this situation. Still, a considerable fraction of the population refuses to take the most basic step to slowing the spread of the pandemic.

They refuse to be vaccinated, despite the fact that the unvaccinated occupy the vast majority of hospital beds, and are the vast majority of COVID-19 fatalities. I propose a solution that will maximize the effectiveness of scarce COVID-19 treatment resources while still respecting the preferences of those who choose not to be vaccinated.

A person who presents at a hospital with COVID-19 symptoms and who has tested positive for the virus should be required to present evidence of vaccination before receiving treatment. If that person cannot show evidence of vaccination, or proudly proclaims his or her refusal to be vaccinated, then that person should receive palliative care only, limited to nutrition and hydration support as well as pain management, but no further medical intervention.

That person should not receive any medication or access to ventilation equipment or nursing care or pulmonary technologists because they refused to avail themselves of the most basic protection, readily available and at no cost, and now they want to be rescued from their poor judgment.

True, these people have the right to decline vaccination. But in so doing, they also exercise another right: the right to die.

Stan Elias, West Barnstable

Survival instincts boil down to one- or two-ply

As the cost of groceries continues to hammer consumers these days due to ongoing supply chain issues, labor shortages and rising demand, the good news is that most grocery stores are now well-stocked with toilet paper. That's unlike during the "Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020," which was caused by shoppers panic-buying and hoarding it because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apparently the survival instinct of many boils down to just loading up the grocery cart with one- or two-ply. Go figure.

Mike Rice, Wellfleet

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Unvaccinated exhibit a pro-choice position