Evaluation of the vaccination debate sides with Dr. Farrar

Following the discussion on COVID-19 vaccination for the last month is rather disappointing. I like to think that when an expert speaks, it’s worth listening. I am not an expert on the subject and it sounds like neither is Mike Marshall. That is okay. Opinions are great. I have no clue what Marshall’s background is so I will assume he is just another average concerned citizen. However, considering the topic, I will consider Dr. John Farrar the expert on the subject. Not the only expert I listen to but a very well spoken expert that helps us average citizens understand what we are up against.

The past 45 days of back and forth isn’t helping the people make informed decisions if someone uses our own good words against us to strengthen their argument. As I pointed out in my first letter dated the week of Feb. 24, things just didn’t add up for the common person living with COVID-19. Nothing scientific about it like Farrar’s letters, just the common sense your parents taught you. The information we gather and compare from people like Farrar helps us make decisions that could be life or death. To twist information from Farrar didn’t help anyone. We all noted that Farrar responded to Marshall in a letter Feb. 24. He corrected the record on the subject and I felt he did a fine job.

In the March 10 Editor’s Note, guidelines were set for anyone responding to this subject due to the importance of the topic to the local public. Below that, Marshall went on to assume people that don’t agree with him get their information from family, friends, news and retired doctors. He used the words “con” and “fear.” Marshall went on to cite many websites and leaned heavily on “PolitiFacts.” Great effort on research links - all good information to consider. I even posted a letter with information regarding the test kits that were contaminated and potentially hazardous.

Farrar also responded that week with an even better and current explanation of what is in the vaccine and how it affects our cDNA. I don’t think Dr. Farrar knew this information would be BREAKING NEWS a day or so later. He did a great service in explaining it to laymen.

Of course, Marshall had a response the following week. Remember the Editor’s Note? Well, being labeled a conspiracy theorist; fearmonger; conman; flat earther; etc., is a personal attack on others that don’t agree with him. Name-calling is the tell.

I think we are arguing with someone that doesn’t have our best interests in mind. We should be sharing information, not arguing and calling names. Farrar backed up his information with researchable facts. Today, those facts can be connected to information the FDA, NIH and CDC released or been legally forced to release as Farrar indicated in his letter dated March 31. There is no point in discussing Marshall’s last letter as it has no useful information for the public.

Hats off to Farrar. Thank you Doctor for the useful and informative information you have provided our community.