Mr. Marinkovich’s letter of Jan. 19 contained numerous suppositions and claims that don’t hold up to scrutiny. I’d like to take the opportunity to address just two of them: censorship of mainstream media and that COVID-19 vaccinations offer “zero benefits to children.”

As we know, there are myriad media outlets in the United States, their coverage protected by the first amendment. This amendment is a guarantee against government intrusion into the press. Mr. Marinkovich claims, without example or evidence, that the mainstream media, “without question, is directed and censored.” If this were so, we have numerous organizations, such as The Heritage Foundation and the ACLU, which can file suit in the courts, which is the proper remedy for first amendment violations. Mr. Marinkovich does not reference any such suits, nor am I aware of any related to censorship COVID-19-related coverage.

His references to social media suspensions are moot with respect to the first amendment’s prohibition on government challenges to speech. Nevertheless, a number of studies have shown a right-wing bias on activities on Facebook (e.g., “Why the right-wing has a massive advantage on Facebook” https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/26/facebook-conservatives-2020-421146)

It is well established the vaccines vastly reduce infection, severe illness, and death in overall populations. Even if this did not extend directly to children (specific ages undefined in Mr. Marinkovich’s letter), surely it is of great benefit to children if their parents and grandparents are protected from severe illness and death, especially if brought home by the child? In addition, the quote that Mr. Marinkovich offered is without attribution. Who or what entity made this claim?

At the start of his letter, Mr. Marinkovich asks us to come together as a community, a sentiment I wholly support. To my thinking, this means doing all we can to protect our community’s members, from its youngest to its oldest. To find agreement amongst ourselves, Columbia University professor of psychology and education, Peter R. Coleman, suggests: “Think and reflect critically on your own thinking.” (From his book The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization.)

David Robison

Friday Harbor