Personal & Societal Irresponsibility has consequences, which should include financial responsibility
Letters to the editor from the Houston Chronicle;In response to:
'Enough is enough' - unvaccinated should face financial consequences
Taking personal responsibility
Regarding “Editorial: Texas’ nursing shortage is costing lives, and Gov. Abbott let it happen,” (Aug. 17): Gov. Greg Abbott’s support comes largely from rural areas and, as you point out, hospitals in those areas are bearing the brunt of his decisions. But those decisions are largely supported by the folks in those areas. His lack of leadership is actually a reflection of his base and he continues to build a large re-election campaign fund from that base. How long are the rest of us going to allow this sick system to continue?
It is past time for those of us that are vaccinated to say enough is enough to those adults that choose to not be vaccinated. There need to be financial consequences for those who are not vaccinated who contract COVID, not extraordinary measures to treat them. Personal responsibility is, after all, a conservative mantra. There is no “right” to bring our health care system to the brink due to lack of personal responsibility.
Julie Marinucci, Houston
As coronavirus infections surge there has been increasing concern about the availability of hospital beds in many cities, including Houston. It is curious that while many restaurants, shops and other businesses allow entrance only to vaccinated customers, no hospitals have similar requirements, even as space becomes short. How does it serve equity or public health if a sick patient, through no fault of his own, or a sick child — not eligible for vaccination — is turned away because all the beds are filled with people who, by their own preference for “personal choice,” and despite the danger they pose to others in the community, refuse vaccination? Of course, if there is no shortage of beds, these people should be admitted, but in light of the increased threat that they pose to staff and other patients, it would be reasonable to impose an additional charge for their treatment.
The possibility of higher hospital costs or refusal of admittance to a hospital might convince some to get the vaccine. The economic incentive could be carried a step further if the insurance companies refused to pay the medical costs of the unvaccinated. This is not a drastic action. Most insurance policies require that the insured take normal steps to avoid an insured loss. A homeowner cannot burn the house down and collect on the fire insurance policy.
Paul Horvitz, Houston
'Enough is enough' - unvaccinated should face financial consequences
Taking personal responsibility
Regarding “Editorial: Texas’ nursing shortage is costing lives, and Gov. Abbott let it happen,” (Aug. 17): Gov. Greg Abbott’s support comes largely from rural areas and, as you point out, hospitals in those areas are bearing the brunt of his decisions. But those decisions are largely supported by the folks in those areas. His lack of leadership is actually a reflection of his base and he continues to build a large re-election campaign fund from that base. How long are the rest of us going to allow this sick system to continue?
It is past time for those of us that are vaccinated to say enough is enough to those adults that choose to not be vaccinated. There need to be financial consequences for those who are not vaccinated who contract COVID, not extraordinary measures to treat them. Personal responsibility is, after all, a conservative mantra. There is no “right” to bring our health care system to the brink due to lack of personal responsibility.
Julie Marinucci, Houston
As coronavirus infections surge there has been increasing concern about the availability of hospital beds in many cities, including Houston. It is curious that while many restaurants, shops and other businesses allow entrance only to vaccinated customers, no hospitals have similar requirements, even as space becomes short. How does it serve equity or public health if a sick patient, through no fault of his own, or a sick child — not eligible for vaccination — is turned away because all the beds are filled with people who, by their own preference for “personal choice,” and despite the danger they pose to others in the community, refuse vaccination? Of course, if there is no shortage of beds, these people should be admitted, but in light of the increased threat that they pose to staff and other patients, it would be reasonable to impose an additional charge for their treatment.
The possibility of higher hospital costs or refusal of admittance to a hospital might convince some to get the vaccine. The economic incentive could be carried a step further if the insurance companies refused to pay the medical costs of the unvaccinated. This is not a drastic action. Most insurance policies require that the insured take normal steps to avoid an insured loss. A homeowner cannot burn the house down and collect on the fire insurance policy.
Paul Horvitz, Houston
Comments (92)
There are no studies to suggest that.
There can't be because no long term studies have been done.
My whole point was who should take responsibility for my contracting covid after I took the vaccine? The article in the Chronicle said non vaxxed people need to take responsibility if they get covid. Conversely, who should take responsibility for my situation?
Did the Gov't Lie?
Was it Known that The Jabs provided Little Prevention of infection (though Protection from Severe Symptoms) And that the efficacy would diminish quickly?
And Gov't INTENTIONALLY Misled people to Believe The Jabs protected from Catch/Spreading Covid in order to get as Many people infected as Quickly & Safely(!) as Possible in order to get as many people as possible to acquire Natural Immunity & End the Pandemic? ... Which NO Number of Jabs can Ever Do??
And ACCEPT that Covid is now Endemic Worldwide & Humans are going to Live with it Forever?
Yeah. That is certainly Plausible....
Congratulations - Consider yourself Lucky.
Those who've survived Covid - Jabbed or UnJabbed - have grabbed the Brass Ring.
Those who've Not YET Gotten Covid will ride the Merry-Go-Round 'til they Do.
That is false information.
Which government told you, that you did not have to wear a mask in social settings ?
That is false information.
Yeah!! I don't think we Did!
Full-On Summer spreader events circa mid-June Spread the virus.
However, Trump did host some.
I am very angry about what happened. People or governments should never make proclamations when they don't know all the facts. This misinformation probably cost lives. It's no wonder more have died this year than last when there was no vaccine. Misinformation coming from someone on a social media platform is far less dangerous than a government employee or agency making claims when they are clueless to the facts and science.
In July Biden said you don't need to wear a mask indoors if you were vaxxed.
Otherwise, indeed, there is MORE need to wear a mask indoors,
than outdoors, all other things being equal.
At least New Zealand is Honest about it ...
New Zealand PM Admits To Treating Unvaxxed As Second-Class Citizens
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admitted she wants to create two classes of citizens based on Chinese coronavirus vaccination status.
During an interview with the NZ Herald on Friday, a reporter asked Ardern if her goal is to create two classes of citizens with New Zealand’s “traffic light” system, which Ardern unveiled Friday morning.
“So you’ve basically said, you probably don’t see it like this, but two different classes of people — if you’re vaccinated or unvaccinated. You have all these rights if you are vaccinated —” NZ Herald‘s deputy political editor Derek Cheng asked Ardern.
“That is what it is, yep,” Ardern replied.