Views from readers: herd immunity + refugees + immigration

Get the vaccine

The ability of the COVID virus to spread and gain a foothold is an example of nature’s survival of the fittest - in this case, the fittest virus.

A virus becomes more “fit” through mutations. Over time, mutations (changes in genetic makeup) occur naturally. Most viral mutations are useless dead ends.

However, over a myriad of iterations, a mutation may occur that helps the virus spread more readily. This trait adds to its ability to survive. Mutations that confer such an advantage are naturally “chosen.”

Such is the case with the COVID Delta variant and now the newer Omicron variant, which has more mutations than Delta.

A concern is that viral mutations may also render current COVID vaccines less effective.

The more people who get vaccinated early on in a pandemic, the fewer cases of infection, which prevents the mutation-and-spread scenario from reaching full gear.

Unfortunately, so many people have shunned the shot that we’ve been unable to reach “herd immunity.” Which means that more lives will be needlessly impaired or lost due to COVID infection.

That said, it’s better to get vaccinated late than not to get vaccinated at all. Better for everyone.

Richard Harkness

Ocean Springs

Build the wall

I get it, our immigration laws are broken. Correcting the errors in one fell swoop is near impossible.

Consider this: First, anyone wanting to immigrate to America must start by registering at the American embassy or consulate in their own country. Requests would be vetted and validated at that time. Approved requests would be provided travel vouchers to border control points in the U.S. No more thousand mile treks on foot at the mercy of the cartels.

Second, anyone attempting to enter our country without presenting themselves to an official entry point would be immediately taken into custody and expediently transported to their home country.

Third, finish the wall. It would not prevent all of the illegal crossers but would limit the numbers to assist the border patrol in doing their job. To those who say the wall won’t work, why do we have them around every prison in the U.S.?

These suggestions will not solve the entire problem but we have, for years. failed to do anything because we were trying to cure every problem with immigration.

Chuck Burkhard

Ocean Springs

Corrupt governments

Any government that takes away GOD-given rights is a corrupt government.

Any government that prevents its citizens access to clean drinking water is a corrupt government.

Any government that prevents its citizens free movement is a corrupt government.

Any government that restricts its citizens on health care is a corrupt government.

Any government that restricts education of its children is a corrupt government.

Any government that restricts its citizens the ability to own land is a corrupt government.

Russia must be stopped from bombing Syria. No government is saying anything, and the United Nations says nothing. That behavior must and will end. Continue reading.

The reason for refugees is because other countries are creating conflicts and violence against the innocent citizens in their own countries with the media placing blame on the people being displaced. Now the citizens running for their lives are called refugees. No responsibility to the aggressive county causing the issue in the first place. All media coverage is just as false and wrong as the offensive government creating the conflict.

To these governments: Your time is running out.

Miguel Nicholson

Gulfport