Opinion

Letter to the Editor: It’s Not Just About You

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By ED SANTIAGO
Los Alamos

For years I sneered at getting a flu shot. I’m healthy, I’m strong, why should I? Even if I do get the flu, so what? I will come out stronger afterward.

I am forever grateful to a friend who put it into perspective: you don’t get a vaccine just for yourself, you get it for the ones you love. Some of those are elderly; some very young; some have weakened immune systems.

The bug that I’m incubating when I shake hands with Alice will spread to her infant son Bob. Suffering ensues. By vaccinating I’ve removed that link in the chain. 

Perhaps, though, Read More

Letter to the Editor: Some People Are Medically Unable To Be Vaccinated

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By TERESA BURROWS
Los Alamos

I have to respond to Erica Wissinger’s letter concerning vaccinations. Perhaps she doesn’t realize that a number of those who are not vaccinated for measles are medically unable to be vaccinated – they are infants, cancer patients on chemo, or those who have otherwise compromised immune systems. So the concern is for those folks – not for those who refuse to vaccinated. No one is panicking that the rest of us, who were duly vaccinated in the past, will catch measles.

“Herd immunity”, as you say was invented by the “health authorities”, is actually a term taken from nature

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Letter to the Editor: ‘Immunity ShiMOOnitee’ … Moo The Cattle

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By ERICA WISSINGER
Los Alamos / U of CA Retiree

Those of us with at least two firing neurons reason that, if a vaccine really does confer immunity, then the only persons at risk would be those who had not been vaccinated. 

If someone who had not been vaccinated were to get sick, then he could pose no danger to those who had been vaccinated, because they would be immune. Even if everyone who had not been vaccinated were to get sick, then they could pose no danger to those who had been vaccinated.

To counter the above reasoning, “the health authorities” invented the term “herd immunity”… in that… Read More

Letter to the Editor: Disturbed By Low Vaccination Compliance

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By BRUCE BLEVINS
Los Alamos

I am a Los Alamos native (from 1951) and a lifelong New Mexican. I was always proud to have been born and raised in Los Alamos. I can recall getting the polio vaccine on the sugar cubes at Pueblo school many, many years ago and how everyone was supportive of that prevention effort. 

Now I find that Los Alamos, Taos and Santa Fe counties have become the lowest vaccine compliance counties in the state. How is it that these citizens have become so ignorant and non-scientific. 

Dona Ana County now seems, in my estimation, way smarter in general than these Read More

Letter to the Editor: Concerns/Questions Come To Mind Including Why Student Has Pepper Spray On Campus

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Letter to the Editor: HB 41 Will Hurt Kids And Educators

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By CARRIE APGAR
Los Alamos

It’s time to do your research and be heard.

Below is an email that I sent to Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard. If you agree with my stand on this very important issue, now is the time to contact our New Mexico Legislators and let them know how you feel.

Hello Rep. Garcia Richard,

I, as a tax-payer and mother of three children, two of whom are out of the public school system (thank God), must voice my opinion regarding the upcoming proposal of HB41.

Have you read this ridiculous proposal? If not, here is the Bill in it’s entirety.

Hanna Skandera is an embarrassment to Read More

Letter to the Editor: It’s Been An Honor To Serve

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By NAN HOLMES
LAPS Board Member
(Lost Tuesday’s Election)

It has been an honor to serve the students, teachers, and community of Los Alamos as a School Board member.

I appreciate the support I received not only in the recent election but throughout my service on the School Board. I know that Bill Hargraves is a hard worker and will do a fine job serving our schools.

I hope to continue to serve in some capacity to support our students and I hope that you will all join me.

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Letter to the Editor: We Have To Decide That Our Collective Futures Are Worth The Time And Effort

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By Dr. Jessica McCord
New Mexico Educator

It’s a busy time for education in New Mexico. This represents my effort to help continue these conversations that will help the public stay informed and involved and communicate with their lawmakers as they discuss, debate, and make decisions about important legislation.

Senate Bill 205 is being sponsored by Sen. John Sapien – Please support this bill! It would allow our state to take both this and the next school year to evaluate the utility of the PARCC assessment to grade our schools and evaluate teachers. I beg our state legislators to take the time Read More

Letter to the Editor: Tax Plan For Small Business … Nuts To That

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Letter to the Editor: Do The Research … Then Let Legislators Know What You Really Think

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By Dr. JESSICA MCCORD
New Mexico Educator

A wise man once told me that people vote for politicians as they do in well-funded popularity contests. It is questionable that the current and impending actions of some policymakers represent the wider public’s interest, and it is difficult when some view election or re-election as unbridled support for their stance on important issues in our state.

There are many people in New Mexico who feel like they have no voice beyond the voting booth, myself included. I continue to have serious concerns about the current state of our education system and how it Read More