COVID blame
The letter âThink about itâ in the July 28 Journal blamed almost everything connected to the COVID resurgence on Republicans. The letter writer should look at statistics before writing.
There are 333 million Americans; 168 million are registered to vote: 68 million Democrats, 50 million Republicans and 50 million independents. The Kaiser Foundation estimates that 52% of Republican voters are not vaccinated. So about 26 million Republicans are not vaccinated.
This leaves 165 million non-registered voters. Subtract the 20 million or so Americans under 12 years of age and you have 145 million people without party affiliation.
Now letâs guess that these people are vaccinated at the 52% level of Republicans and if so you have 75 million potential virus spreaders.
Itâs the last place youâd expect to see one of those âmy body, my choiceâ protests reneging against the life-saving COVID vaccines.
But there they were, on Cloverdale Avenue near Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on Saturday, about 45 people protesting the medical centerâs decision to require its employees to be fully vaccinated. Some claimed to be employees of the medical center, the Journalâs John Hinton reported.
Their arguments were presented concisely on placards: âStop the Mandate,â âNo Covid Vax Mandates,â and âJab or Job â Where Are Our Rights?â
You wouldnât think it would be much of an ask for educated, experienced medical professionals, many of whom, we would assume, have seen the ravages of COVID up close. And, indeed, Wake Forest Baptist officials say that 75% of its workforce â more than 19,000 employees â has already been fully vaccinated.
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Woody Marshall, News & Record
Woodbury joined Alex Bohannon, Andrea Bramer, Deanna Kaplan, Elisabeth Motsinger and Marilyn Parker in voting for the recommendation, while Leah Crowley, Dana Caudill Jones and Lida Calvert-Hayes opposed it.
The universal masking policy will be evaluated after nine weeks. It applies to students, staff members and visitors inside the school districtâs buildings and vehicles, including buses. Masks can come off as soon as someone is outside.
Asked by Crowley how schools will enforce the masking mandate, McManus said she did not think it would be an issue.
âThis is not about mask-policing and consequences. Weâre saying, âWear your mask.â It was not a problem for our children last year, no matter the level,â McManus said. âKids are going to follow the mandate and honestly, as soon as they walk out the door, take it off. This is nine weeks.â