Letter to the editor: Opinion page is not the place to learn about COVID or vaccines

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There are two back-to-back letters on Feb. 22 that created such a “miasma of misinformation,” specifically about COVID vaccines, that I felt the need to respond. I will limit myself and focus on the highlights, or the lowlights in this instance.

The first letter mentioned a Dr. Naomi Wolf as the source of a statement of harm to the reproductive health of young women after getting a vaccine shot. My research showed that Dr. Wolf earned her doctorate in English literature, and is described as an author, political consultant and conspiracy theorist.

I have also not seen her name on any published medical studies. She is likely to be intelligent but would not know much more about the human reproductive systems than you or I would. The use of “Dr.” before a name is often used to give validation to statements that are most often untrue. This calls into question the truth of “other facts” stated in the letter.

The second letter offers us a true statement, “that the vaccines do not prevent virus transmission.” However, that is not the function of a vaccine. These are designed to help prevent infection, reduce the risk of serious illness and death to the vaccinated.



Vaccines are not perfect and their protection wanes over time, so boosters are needed. The natural immunity the disease gives us does protect us but is not superior. Studies show this protection actually wanes faster than that acquired via the COVID vaccine.

I hesitate to say what is next. Not only do I give you my opinion, but I will give you my advice as well. The opinion page is definitely not the place to learn about COVID or vaccines. I believe that John Hopkins University is a great source of COVID information if you would like to learn more. I will conclude by congratulating Ms. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on her recent victory and letting you know that I will be getting my fourth booster next week.

Darrell Anderson,

Battle Ground