My letter is about personal autonomy and parental choice. I believe that the world is filled with more good than bad. There will ALWAYS be people who make different choices than you and sometimes poor decisions. We are human. Cordova is an amazing place to live filled with wonderful people who care for their own and look out for others. Families who make thoughtful, smart and empathetic decisions.
As outside control has increased, the trust of others from every angle has decreased. Many families live in Alaska for the continued liberties of personal choice and privacy. Your neighbor’s vaccination status or medical diagnosis is not public information. People tend to make informed decisions. Assessing risks and benefits. Could you imagine staying home from work every time you had a headache or felt fatigued? You’d be fired. Per the CDC, “Adults have an average of 2-3 colds per year, and children have even more.” We cannot keep CSD symptom free, as requested in the school newsletters. The estimated 3 million common colds in the U.S. per year are necessary for the health and wellbeing of our children.
We are a year and a half into slowing the spread of COVID. Children have naturally already passed the virus around Cordova. Many have spent all summer improving their immune systems in a natural manner and a significant number, ages 12 and up, have received the vaccination. The vulnerable population is vaccinated. Children are not listed as high risk.
Most people tend to be considerate of others without force. It’s time to return to respecting privacy and choice once again. Not only in our schools, but in our community as well.
Lisa DeLaet
Cordova