Dropping vaccine mandates puts Florida at risk
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Gov. Ron DeSantis want to do away with vaccine requirements in Florida, purportedly in the name of freedom.
Here are some questions I have for state Sen. Joe Gruters and state Rep. Fiona McFarland:
What about MY freedom?
My freedom to not get sick and die of a 100% preventable disease?
My freedom from fear of sending my children to school and having them come into contact with unvaccinated children?
I’ll even extend myself to worrying about the freedoms of those who choose not to get vaccinated.
What about their freedom to breathe normally?
(They won’t if they get pertussis.)
Their freedom to walk?
(They won’t if they get polio.)
Their freedom to live?
(They may not if they contract measles.)
What happened to science?
There is absolutely no dispute that vaccines prevent horrendous diseases such as those mentioned above and many more.
Why – why – would anyone want to go back to a time before protective vaccines?
This move is the opposite of Making America Great Again.
First Lady Casey DeSantis talks about the simplicity of eating fruits and vegetables to prevent chronic diseases (despite she herself being diagnosed with cancer, a chronic disease).
Sure, that’s in regard to chronic disease – and as an exercise physiologist I’m a huge proponent of living a healthy lifestyle to attain the best possible health outcomes.
But we are talking about communicable diseases, not chronic diseases.
No amount of apples and broccoli in the world will prevent you from contracting polio!
Getting vaccinated against preventable diseases is one of the smartest things a person cando to lead a healthy lifestyle and ensure good health into old age.
It isn’t enough for individuals to make their own decisions.
There must be herd immunity to shut down these diseases and prevent suffering and long-term health implications in our society.
People rely on elected and appointed officials to provide accurate information and guidance to help them make decisions.
The decision of DeSantis and Ladapo to pull vaccine requirements is an absolute travesty.
It will lead to Florida being the laughingstock of the world – and it will lead to many children and elderly people suffering and dying from diseases that are 100% preventable.
Gruters and McFarland should think carefully before supporting this move. It is absolutely the wrong one to make Florida strong, healthy or great.
Jennifer Tucker-Mogensen, Sarasota
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ladapo, DeSantis say we need vaccine freedom. What about my freedom to live? | Letters
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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