Dear Editor:
As a covid-vaccinated blood cancer survivor, who takes chemotherapy every day and tries to carefully navigate life during this pandemic; I would like to share my perspective with you.
Mississippi is once again, last in the nation in something good; this time, it is covid vaccinations. Only 31% of Mississippians have been fully vaccinated. While there is no excuse for this pitiful status; there are reasons. The reasons are: politically-based defiance, ignorance, and misinformation. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for any of these. Anyone that perishes from covid now, is dying needlessly.
But there is another reason for this sad statistic. It is what I call "NEGLIGENT GOVERNANCE". When we elect people to represent us, we do so with the assumption that they are of honest and moral character and will do what is in the best interest of the people. We DO NOT elect them to serve their own interest or implement a "hidden political agenda".
Approximately 7,400+ Mississippians are now dead from covid 19. Many of these death certificates could have listed "NEGLIGENT GOVERNANCE" as the cause of death. The Good Book tells us, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn". Many Mississippians are mourning.
Rankin County resident, Tate Reeves, who also happens to be the current governor of Mississippi, is a Republican. He, along with right wing media such FOX News and AFR, is responsible for a large portion of our state's dismal vaccination rate. While it is ultimately up to each individual to make the decision, the lack of leadership along with a steam of misinformation has produced many of the death certificates in MS. UMMC has just made the responsible decision to require that all of its 10,000 employees be vaccinated. It's a HOSPITAL with sick patients... this is a no-brainer! However, Governor Reeves is already subtly challenging it!! I rest my point.
Lastly, the Good Book also tells us, "The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead". Get vaccinated, folks.
Camille Wright
Brandon, MS
