To the editor:

As you weigh the decision whether or not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for yourself and your family, please consider the impact of your choice.

Without the vaccine, your future wellbeing is significantly at risk. The delta variant is extremely contagious and is still as dangerous as prior versions of the virus. About 1 out of 65 unvaccinated people who contract the virus die of the disease, and about 1 out of 5 develop “Long COVID,” including symptoms of headaches, chronic cough, shortness of breath and severe fatigue.

Many people presume because they are in good health, they will only have a mild case. For an important perspective on this, please search the Internet for the story of Pastor Danny Reeves from Corsicana, TX. He was previously healthy and in excellent physical condition, but almost died in the ICU at Baylor.

Members of your community and church are at higher risk if you are not vaccinated. Getting vaccinated shows that you care about your coworkers, waitress, hair stylist and store clerk.

About 1 out of every 50 adults is at very high risk for COVID-19 due to having a health condition such as a kidney transplant or being on chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Frequently their immune system cannot mount an adequate response to the vaccine. Despite vaccination, they are trapped, having lost the freedom to safely leave their home. Each one is someone’s dear spouse, friend, parent, sibling and/or grandparent.

The physicians, nurses and other staff who work in our emergency room and hospital have lost the freedom to work without burnout and fear. The intensity of work required to take care of COVID-19 patients is well documented. Healthcare workers are committed to care for everyone, and the COVID-19 workload takes away resources from other patients. Getting the vaccine is by far the strongest statement you can make to our healthcare workers that you stand behind them, are thankful for their work and care about their wellbeing.

Getting vaccinated is one of the strongest acts of patriotism that you can make right now. Our economy and cherished way of life will be back on track sooner as more of our citizens are protected.

Your vaccine will also help ensure that our kids can stay in school, and sooner be able to attend without masks. Although less commonly than adults, children can get severe COVID-19, including the “multisystem inflammatory syndrome.” Isolation beds at Minneapolis and St. Paul Children’s Hospitals have been filled to capacity recently.

We are a community, and we will get through this together. We are most free when we live with empathy and compassion, choosing to love more fully.

Roger Lindholm

New Ulm