Letters to the Editor

11/4/24 – Letter to the Editor, Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 

“Putting people at risk is not something a surgeon general should be good at. But ours is, with his recent damaging, anti-booster shot advice regarding the newest COVID-19 vaccine. This advice places politics before people and touts anti-science propaganda.  

The CDC concurs; “The misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine safety has caused some Americans to avoid getting vaccines and led to unnecessary death, severe illness and hospitalization,” said the Centers for Disease Control in 2023, in a letter to Dr. Ladapo. 

Florida’s population is huge (23,002,597 in July 2024). Our state represents 7% of the total US population (333,300,000 in the last census). Also, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of total US COVID deaths recently stood at 1,219,487. Florida accounts for more than 97,000 of those deaths. That means that 8% of the total deaths in this country happened in Florida. 

The 1% difference in our total COVID-19 fatalities versus total US population is hugely significant. Especially to Florida family members whose loved ones lost their battle with Covid.  

Bottom line is the extra 1% of deaths represents thousands of Floridians who succumbed to the disease and may continue to – people who just happened to live and die in a state where speculative professional guidance from Florida’s top doctor runs counter to proven historical and scientific evidence – that vaccines save lives, both in the past and present.” 

David Brostrom, submitted 11-4-2024