Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Covid, Omicron, Maryland Hospitals
With the new omicron variant of Covid-19 rapidly spreading throughout the U.S. and our state, suddenly hospitalizations are rising quickly…again. The U.S. death toll directly attributed to Covid-19 is rising…again. In fact, this week Maryland hospitals are already near-capacity with Covid-19 patients…again. This will complicate treatment for non-Covid patients, including emergency triage. This is a phenomenon being experienced world-wide. Which begs the following questions:
How seriously, or not, are you still taking the Covid-19 pandemic?
How has Covid-19 directly impacted your life?
Do you believe the health crisis is real or inflated perception driven by media?
Here’s what you said:
I am closely watching the data and taking this seriously. I have been masking as an extra precaution.
Anita Dewling, Annapolis
Although I believe that the media has contributed significantly to public alarm over the virus, I do know that the COVID-19 virus does spread very rapidly and is very dangerous, leading to death in 1-3 percent of cases. I have had friends who became seriously ill and had to be hospitalized, and some have died in the hospital. In many cases, it is very difficult to obtain preventive treatment and early-stage effective treatment, in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people who have tested positive for the virus, which results in more hospitalizations. Even worse, many hospitals do not administer the treatments that are known (but not widely known) to save lives and, at lease, minimize time spent in the hospital. Therefore, I am very concerned about the inconsistency in medical advice and treatment, public behavior to reduce virus spread, and increasing divisiveness on the entire situation and the threat of global controls.
Carol Moyer, Riva
I am a 62-year-old vaccinated and boosted woman. I have protected myself not just for my well-being but for that of my fellow citizens. It would be great if everyone did the same regardless of political affiliation.
Cindy Davis, Annapolis
Very serious cause of death that can be prevented. Misinformation kills. Should charge unvaccinated for health care/hospitalization due to Covid. Really absurd reaction to shot. It's prevention, not politics!
Christine Spain, Annapolis