For the publisher: The recent demonstration against the COVID-19 vaccination at Dodger Stadium shows the legacy of the Donald Trump years by encouraging public displays of scientific ignorance.
As a doctor, I have seen my older patients struggle to find the few appointments for the life-saving vaccine. I can only imagine the fear and frustration of those at Dodger Stadium who saw a crowd interrupt the orderly administration of the vaccine.
Deluded extremists have the right to demonstrate their ignorance, but they have no right to block public access to a health center. The police must arrest those who violate the public’s rights to health.
Daniel Stone, MD, Los Angeles
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For the publisher: I was so thrilled to get my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Dodger Stadium last week that I almost jumped out of the car to hug the lovely Los Angeles Fire Department employee who gave me the injection.
The line was long, but superbly well organized. I had a lot of time to examine other drivers and passengers. Many were driven there by younger members of the family and some were in Lyft and Uber cars.
Having this process interrupted by maskless looters in a public health crisis is nothing short of criminal. Why weren’t they arrested? Why doesn’t the LAPD impose at least the mask requirement?
Andrea Grossman, Beverly Hills
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For the publisher: Protesters who interrupted operations at the Dodger Stadium vaccination site should have been summoned by the police.
Whether the protesters were physically non-violent or not, they clearly blocked the course of vaccinations, delaying and frustrating a large number of people who were waiting patiently for their shots. These marginal fanatics tried to subvert the public health efforts that are now crucial.
It is revolting when a group of irrational and unscientific people continues to perpetuate falsehoods and arouse unjustified fear in the community. In this case, it seems that so many people were also authorized by the authorities to block, persecute and proselytize people who simply wanted to protect themselves and promote the cause of public health.
This is another example of harmful misinformation and crazy conspiracy theories flooding our country and polluting public discourse. Whether the effect of this is to put public health at risk or undermine our democracy, our country needs to penalize those who put us at risk.
TR Jahns, Hemet
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For the publisher: If I’m in line to get a vaccine to fight the COVID-19 virus and antivaxxers prevent it, they should be punished no less than those who didn’t stop in an ambulance.
It can even be seen as a form of kidnapping, preventing me from obtaining the medical care that I freely chose for myself or my family, against my will.
Caroline Brown, Sierra Madre
This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
Originally published