Editor,
Residents of Carroll County continue to be at risk from Covid-19 and its variants. Reluctance to be vaccinated is one reason the virus continues to spread and once again the number of cases rise. Unfortunately, last week saw an additional three deaths from complications of the virus in Carroll County.
Many people believe that it is their right to refuse the vaccination, and there are some who would welcome the protection of the vaccine and have requested it. Unfortunately, this right is being denied.
The Carroll County Detention Center has denied inmates access to the Covid vaccine. Officials report that none of the inmates have contracted the disease even though it was reported that an inmate with an active case was released into the community (Carroll County News).
Inmates from other counties have been transferred to the Carroll County Detention Center without testing, many with symptoms of illness. When inmates are released unvaccinated, they carry the virus with them into the community. No wonder the numbers are on the increase and unnecessary deaths occur. How can this be allowed in the midst of a Global Pandemic?
Local officials must take responsibility for the protection of the community by insisting that inmates be tested before their release and those that request vaccination receive the free vaccine from the Carroll County Health Department.
Sharon Freeman Laborde