Consider the scope of COVID stats

In a recent letter to the Sequim Gazette editor (“COVID perspective,” Dec. 7, page A-10), an individual stated that according to an article he read in the Washington Post, COVID deaths are higher in vaccinated people. This information is misleading and untrue. Although part of his statement did represent one portion of the research, one must look further at the many layers of data to extract the full picture of what this means.

“How to Compare Covid Deaths for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated People,” an article appearing in the June 2022 publication of Scientific American, provides data and context that is imperative if one is to gain a full and factual understanding of this question. In the article you learn that the figures that this individual uses in his letter to the editor, are merely a small piece of a much bigger picture.

I urge everyone to look at the full scope of the reported data in Scientific American. They have taken complex data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and explained it in layman’s terms.

If the individual who submitted the letter had thoroughly researched the question, he would have discovered that vaccinated people die at a far lower rate from COVID than unvaccinated people.

In fact, at the time this data was assessed, the unvaccinated had eight times the death rate of people vaccinated with the primary vaccination series only, and 17 times the rate of people who were vaccinated and received at least one booster shot.

Leslie Saxon West

Sequim

Give yourself a Christmas present: Balance

Did you know that you can improve your balance at any age? Each one of us can increase muscle strength, core alignment, balance agility and flexibility with daily determination and exercise.

Did you know there are multiple classes in the community with knowledgeable teachers able to help you make yourself less vulnerable to falling? Find classes and balance-challenging activities at Shipley Center, Anytime Fitness, Posture First and the YMCA.

I am a retired physical therapist and community volunteer Balance teacher for the last 20 years. I have been teaching classes about balance at Shipley and soon at various churches and have been able to help many folks on the peninsula ways to significantly improve their balance … even people in their 90s.

I am always encouraging seniors to realize they have way more potential to improve their health in many key ways, such as improving strength, flexibility, endurance and balance. It takes daily commitment.

Experience the joy of feeling healthier! It is possible for each and everyone of you.

Barbara Paschal

Sequim