Accomplishments? More like accomplices

Upon reading Ms. Boelens’ praise for IQ45’s refusal to take “no” for an answer in vaccine development, here are the facts. I am amazed how ignorant of the role of science, in a scientific achievement the poorly-educated can be.

Primarily, the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine was enabled by biochemical and genetic research done by hundreds, if not thousands of scientists working at the CDC, NIH and other both government and private labs both in the US and other countries that began 17 years ago with the SARS epidemic (a coronavirus).

Furthermore the vaccine’s development was immensely shortened by the release of the virus’ complete genetic code (another nearly incomprehensible scientific capability, only capable in the last 15 years) by the Chinese government in January.

And, in terms of getting the vaccine ready to administer so rapidly, the beginning of large-scale production prior to even beginning the rigorous effectiveness and safety testing (a huge financial risk, typically, never taken), was the main factor. Any large Biotech company with adequate financial resources could have made that decision themselves, without being part of the Warp Speed program, as Pfizer, the first company to deliver a vaccine, did. Thank God for all three!

Considering these facts along with IQ45’s incredibly poor timing in eliminating the Pandemic Response Team and its detailed plan as well as his nearly flaccid action all year, there’s no reason to name the vaccine after him; after all we’ve already named it the Trumpdemic, in his honor.

— David Fundakowski, Chico