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Regarding Editorial: Our next goal in COVID vaccination? Reaching the reachable. Yes, they're out there. (Aug. 16): As the COVID-19 pandemic surges again, with infections increasing daily among mainly the unvaccinated, feelings of anger are surging among the vaccinated towards the unvaccinated. However, the unvaccinated are not one homogenous grouping. People have different reasons for their views. Some unfortunately do seem to be driven by political culture wars. Changing their minds appears to be most difficult unless they personally experience COVID. Others, however, may have real personal reasons for avoiding vaccination based on experience, circumstance, fear, cultural practices or strongly-held beliefs. These individuals are reachable and are prime candidates for vaccination. It is time to move beyond the conflicts and anger rampant on both sides of the vaccine debate. We are a society truly at war with COVID, a war we appear to be losing. The concerted, focused grassroots efforts called for in the Aug. 16 editorial are very much needed to change minds among the unvaccinated. Our path to victory over COVID is clearly paved with vaccinations and masks. It is a path we must follow together.

Grant Revell, Mechanicsville, Va.

The husband of a relative just died of COVID after being in intensive care for four weeks. He had not been vaccinated. Imagine the emotional cost to his family. Try to imagine the emotional cost to the medical staff who are tasked with caring for people who, by choice, refuse to get the vaccine. What will the cost be to people he may have infected? What will the ultimate financial cost be to the family, to insurance, to you and me? Intensive care aint free. And what is the continuing cost to the economy of those who refuse to get the shot and continue to spread the disease? Its no secret the economy is dependent on getting the pandemic under control.

This was totally avoidable. Stupidity is a choice. And if the cost impacted just the stupid, I could live with that. Unfortunately, the cost to you and me and society is not negligible.

Roger Vaught, Houston

Regarding Taliban vow to respect women, despite history of oppression, (Aug. 17): Its always the groups which have committed evils or disasters that want everyone to forget the terrible things theyve perpetrated in the past. The Talibans appeal for the world to ignore their history of violent repression, supposedly promising peace and freedom, rings hollow if one looks back at their beliefs and previous strategies. Its impossible to have freedom when the whole Taliban system is based on stamping it out.

Bob Gayle, Houston

Regarding Biden vows to evacuate all Americans -- and Afghan helpers, (Aug. 19): Last year, Biden said that he had many decades of experience with diplomacy, that he had great relationships with both our friends and our enemies, and that, unlike Trump, he would work with our allies. The media backed him up and this may have been partially why Biden was elected.

Recently, Biden said that Afghanistan would not collapse, that he had contingencies for every possible scenario, and that, after 20 years of war, we needed to leave; that it made no sense to be involved in someone elses civil war. He said there wouldnt be another Saigon evacuation. Afterward, he said chaos was inevitable. He said that the Afghanistan troops wouldnt fight. He said that he would protect the rights of women.

Do you believe that America will protect the human rights of Afghan women when they wont even protect our citizens? Do you believe we are stronger now than we were last year? Do you believe that Biden even knows whats going on? Do you believe the same would have happened if Trump was in office? Do you regret voting for Biden? I have been watching politics for over 50 years and have never been more embarrassed.

Pat Wetuski, Kingwood

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Opinion: We're at war with COVID. We shouldn't be at war with each other. - Houston Chronicle