Trump should stress importance of vaccine to followers

Being a native of Coshocton County, I was saddened by the Sunday Dec. 19 Dispatch’s front page article that reports the Delta virus is hitting deep red counties harder than the rest of Ohio.

Now is the time for former President Donald Trump to stand up at his rallies and tell his followers: “I’m vaccinated. I’ve had a booster. You should, too. I believe in personal freedom and will always fight for your right to exercise it. But personal freedom is lost when we abuse it by taking actions that harm others. We’re not free to run red lights or drink and drive. To protect yourselves and your neighbors, get vaccinated, mask up. Be American heroes by taking a jab so that all Americans can say goodbye to the coronavirus.”

We will never be free from the virus and its burden on our healthcare providers and its disruption of our lives and the economy until we come together and stop it by using our common sense to deny the virus the hosts it needs to continue to mutate and spread.

Mark Abel, Columbus