Shaw: Stop politicizing COVID-19 in North Dakota

It’s harmful and a travesty to see COVID-19 proceed to be politicized. This horrible sickness that has brought about multiple million American deaths remains to be a political soccer, the place spineless politicians recklessly pander to their constituents.

I deliver this up as a result of

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and different pink state governors are bragging that COVID-19 vaccines is not going to be required for college youngsters of their states

. This comes after the CDC advisable that youngsters be vaccinated towards COVID.

“All through this pandemic, we’ve had horrible management from state officers,” mentioned longtime pediatrician Dr. Stephen McDonough, North Dakota’s public well being officer for 15 years. “It’s been a lackluster effort to ship good well being coverage. That is one other instance of dropping out.”

North Dakota requires youngsters to be vaccinated towards illnesses akin to diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rooster pox and hepatitis. After all COVID ought to be added to the listing. Nonetheless, on this political local weather, science is ignored on this state.

“Youngsters ought to be vaccinated towards COVID. It’s secure and efficient,” McDonough mentioned. “It’s excellent for stopping critical unwanted side effects from COVID, hospitalizations and deaths.”

What actually bothers McDonough are the lies and conspiracy theories concerning the vaccine.

“This vaccine is probably the most researched, examined and evaluated vaccine in American historical past,” McDonough mentioned. “The quantity of misinformation directed at this vaccine is historic. Our state has performed a horrible job in counteracting the misinformation. Our state leaders don’t have the braveness to tackle this misinformation.”

So, right here we’re in North Dakota, with one of many lowest baby vaccination charges within the nation towards COVID. On the very least, you’d assume that Burgum and different state leaders might encourage mother and father to get their youngsters vaccinated, however they don’t have the spines or integrity to even do this.

“Many youngsters within the state who will not be vaccinated will get reinfected,” McDonough mentioned. “A few of them will get very sick and be hospitalized.”

Sadly, this angle in direction of COVID is nothing new in North Dakota. After the vaccine was available, 600 unvaccinated folks died within the state. That compares to twenty to 30 a yr who die from the flu.

“These have been 600 preventable deaths,” McDonough mentioned. “Simply one other instance of poor management on this state.”

Politicians akin to Burgum ought to cease performing like they know greater than the professional docs, and begin listening to them. The well being of North Dakota youngsters is at stake.

“It’s very unhappy that we’ve come so far, “McDonough mentioned. “It’s unhappy that these Republican governors have taken the angle to be anti-science and egocentric. They don’t care concerning the public well being penalties.”

Shaw is a former WDAY TV reporter and former KVRR TV information director.

This column doesn’t essentially mirror the opinion of The Discussion board’s editorial board nor Discussion board possession.