Readers respond to Question of the Week: Four years on, what has COVID taught?

I feel that I was misled about COVID-19

People died in the millions worldwide but “COVID wasn't completely responsible.” We found out in the U.S. there were hospitals reporting COVID deaths even if there was a small trace of COVID in the corpses. It was a way for hospitals to get bigger federal reimbursements for COVID care even though it was more in line with their prior health condition. It became mandatory to get the vaccine and double boosters afterward or you couldn't interact at the grocery, school, live entertainment, socializing outdoors and so forth. COVID happened 100 years ago and those people got past it without all of the different over-the-top vaccinations. Finally, we've become a drama society with no grit who rather fall prey to quick-fix untested vaccinations than do simple self-hygienic procedures.

— Lou Solo, Gardena

COVID-19 lessons

Like colds and flu, COVID will be a virus society will be susceptible to every year. According to reports now being exposed, everyone in California and elsewhere was probably infected. Over the last four years, I have been infected with COVID four times without the vaccine. In fact, I have a very good immune system and haven't needed a flu shot in my life. I do get the flu and/or cold every year but I rarely missed work for these infections. Due to COVID, I was laid off from my 38year career job, ruining my retirement plans. The virus was used by our government as a tool to gain power over people. School closures, shutting society down, and demanding people stay apart were all huge mistakes made by the leaders in charge. We can accomplish great things when we get great minds all sharing information for the common good for the people, as illustrated by the rapid creation of the COVID vaccine.

— Steve Lucas, Van Nuys

Pandemic lesson

The response to COVID has taught that when a health pandemic becomes a cultural wedge issue that interferes with setting sensible public health policy; it results in right-wing “red” counties having higher death rates during the pandemic than more left-wing “blue” counties.

— Dennis Murphy,

North Hills