Using free will by declining vaccine

I am enraged at Colin McEnroe for referring to me as a “jerk” and as being “stupid” (Sunday, Feb. 28). While I shouldn’t be surprised, as it is those who are either stupid or misinformed because of ignorance to call names at others when they don’t understand them, he is supposed to be an intelligent and educated man. I can only assume he didn’t give his column due diligence before disparaging those of us who choose not to trust drug companies who have, in the past, kept information from the public, such as having cancer-causing substances in baby powder.

Until I am satisfied that those vaccines are safe for humans in the long haul, I will not get injected with a substance that is not proven safe for years to come. It took many years of use before women found out about medical problems caused by secrets kept by drug companies. Drug companies made millions on the cancer-riddled bodies of people when they knew about the potentials.

Make no mistake. I am not an “anti-vaxxer” I have no problem with anyone who chooses to get the vaccine. I don’t understand their trust, but I do understand their fear. I simply don’t trust the drug companies. And, lastly, I don’t trust a government agency that says, most of the time, it takes about eight years or more to prove a drug safe, but this time it can be done in three months.

So, Mr. Colin McEnroe, please keep your opinions about my intelligence to yourself. Please remember, if I was like you it would be me calling you those names for taking the vaccine. But I’m above name calling when I don’t even know you. This is the United States of America, where people mostly have free will, so please don’t say I’m a jerk for using mine.

Michael Gherlone North Haven