Personal choice has consequences for others

As noted in your excellent Editorial Board opinion piece ( Eitorial, Aug. 1, “The Powerful Value of Vaccination”): “It is said by some that declining vaccination is a personal choice.” We should remember previous generations of Americans who chose to protect one another by taking the polio vaccine. It is also worth pointing out that a personal choice always entails many others. If, for example, one has chosen to go without clothes, it makes sense to think (in our society at least) that they have also chosen to forgo engaging in common public activities. Therefore, I see no reason to regard those eligible for COVID-19 vaccines but refuse to receive them as having made a similar choice. Freedom to choose, after all, should not preclude freely accepting the consequences of all one has chosen.

SANJAY LAL, STOCKBRIDGE

Dire warnings about COVID-19 might be a bit much for some

I received the two COVID-19 vaccinations at the urging of family members. That was a while back, and so far, my arms haven’t fallen off. I wear a mask in public places to avoid stares from those already masked even though it fogs up my glasses and I can’t see too well.

Recently, I was in my eye doctor’s waiting room, and a big sign said, “Our employees are not required to wear masks, and neither are our patients. If this bothers you, go away.” The doctor wore no mask, and neither did his aides. I had to remove mine to see the eye chart.

I can’t help but think the dire warnings are a bit overdone, and I’m not impressed with “fancy” Fauci’s hysterics. If President Joe Biden likes him, there has to be something wrong with him.

JACK FRANKLIN, CONYERS

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Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) (center left) speaks with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) as they leave a Senate Republican luncheon and the Senate holds a “vote-a-rama” to pass President Donald Trump’s domestic policy bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Monday, June 30, 2025.  (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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