Seniors need booster shots
Re Most Canadians will have to wait for booster, Oct. 23
Ontario’s Daily Epidemiological Summary, Jan. 15 to Oct. 23, Table 3 contains some disturbing facts. Ontario’s number of COVID-19 deaths is 9,846. Just shy of 92 per cent of these deaths (9,056) are in the age group 60 and up.
Dr. Theresa Tam may be right when she states the bulk of the population (under 60 years) does not need a booster at the moment. But it is also clear that the over-60 population fall into a different category.
They need a third shot in the very near future. The Government of Ontario should inform us of its plan for seniors. Douglas Clarke, Toronto
Canada ignoring booster shot’s efficacy for seniors Re Pfizer and BioNTech say booster restores full protection, Oct. 22
This wire service story, which indicates that COVID-19 boosters increase protection safely, is notable in that it contains no reference to Canada.
While the U.K., the U.S., Israel and a growing list of EU countries are currently running active booster programs for seniors who live in their own homes, Canada is not and appears to have no plans to do so anytime soon.
I have recently written a number of letters to MPPs, MPs, ministers, critics, Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and have concluded by their responses, or lack thereof, that there is no interest among them at this time in this issue.
Meanwhile, the number of fully vaccinated Ontarians with new cases of COVID-19 is a consistent 30 per cent of daily totals, indicating that the effects of the vaccine could use some help. I fear that Canadians will conclude from international press coverage that a booster program for all Canadian seniors is imminent, when in fact it is nothing of the sort.
I would like to know what Canadian approval authorities know that all these other countries do not.
Thomas Shevlin, Ridgeway, Ont.
Kooky decision-making around senior boosters Re Pfizer and BioNTech say booster restores full protection, Oct. 22
“NACI is actively reviewing data on the subject.”
Does this mean that NACI is counting how many vaccinated seniors, the most vulnerable population, are getting the virus and need hospitalization or medical care, before it decides what other countries have already decided?
Justifying the lack of decision so far on the thinking that the extended interval between doses may have resulted in more sustained immunity is exactly that, thinking, based on as much data as the one NACI used early in the year to extend the interval due to vaccine scarcity.
Some seniors were lucky to get the second shot from leftovers in vaccination clinics. This means that they could get the six-month booster in a few weeks, I guess.
Ricardo Diez, Toronto
What about mandates for restaurant workers? Re Hope in progress of vaccine mandates, Oct. 22
I whole heartedly agree with Bruce Arthur regarding the groups mentioned that should be mandated to have the COVID-19 vaccine or suffer the consequences of their choice.
What about the restaurant workers? The customers need to provide confirmation of their vaccination status. Should that not be reciprocated by restaurant staff ?
As it is now, the person validating vaccination certificates of the customers may not even be vaccinated.
The workers are handling food, dishes and utensils that make their way into our mouths and a vaccination mandate for them would be the finishing part of a two-way street. This would actually ensure that everyone in the establishment is vaccinated.
Margaret Perrault, North Bay, Ont.
It is not acceptable for MPs to refuse vaccine Re Letter, Barring MPs from Parliament a slap in the face to democracy, Oct. 22
I disagree with the writer on this issue. The House of Commons is a workplace. As such, everyone deserves at least the perception of safety.
If MPs take the decision not to be vaccinated, they can still participate (in parliamentary business) via Zoom or other electronic means. They can still “participate in government.” The past 18 months have proven it is not necessary to be in a location to undertake work there.
Some MPs not taking the decision to get fully vaccinated perpetuates the myth that it is OK not to do so. Rapid tests only identify COVID-19 after the fact.
To me that is unacceptable.
Carol McKenzie, Toronto
MPs who won’t get jab dumbing down Tories Re Letter, Barring MPs from Parliament a slap in the face to democracy, Oct. 22
The letter writer needs to go back and review the meaning of the root of democracy: the people.
MPs are elected to serve a clear majority, in this case the 83 per cent of people who are vaccinated.
Their job is to protect people, not infect them, by refusing the vaccine, which is the only pre-emptive treatment against the virus we know.
Vaccination has shown us the path to freedom, to open up our businesses and economy.
Stop coddling these few holdout MPs by false arguments!
These MPs are attempting to make the Conservative party the party of “stupid.”
Prad Chaudhuri, Mississauga
Time to thank staff for all their work amid COVID Re Ad from TD thanking its employees, Oct. 19
It is definitely time for hospitals, school boards, universities, police forces, stores, libraries, EMS, TTC, newspapers and their staffs, and all of us, to remember to say “thank you” every time we encounter doctors, nurses, orderlies, researchers, staff in hospitals, teachers, principals and vice-principals, professors, bus and subway drivers, restaurant workers, library staff, staff in churches and other places of worship, and those who work in places where we live.
Diane Letsche, North York Send email to lettertoed@thestar.ca; via Web at www.thestar.ca/letters. Include full name, address, phone numbers of sender; only name and city will be published. Letter writers should disclose any personal interest they have in the subject matter. We reserve the right to edit letters, which run 50-150 words.