To the Editor:

When I became a certified school nurse in 1988, I was in charge of the health care for two schools totaling about 700 students combined. There was only one boy with an “as needed” inhaler in the nurse’s office for an asthma attack, which he rarely used. Upon retiring twenty-five years later, there was a significant increase in the numbers of students diagnosed with asthma. I asked the administration for two nebulizers, so no child had to wait for an asthma treatment while short of breath.
Something most definitely has gone wrong. Since the 1980’s to the present, chronic childhood illness and autoimmune disease has increased. Notably, the recommended childhood immunization schedule also has increased. According to the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics recommended immunization schedule from birth to age 6, a child could receive 51 immunization doses. This total includes an annual flu shot. If from birth to age 6, the child also receives an annual Covid-19 vaccine, it brings the total of immunization doses up to 58.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was directed to examine peer developed nations’ vaccine schedules, evaluate the scientific evidence, and take action if they are doing better. Hence, in January, the CDC reduced the number of immunizations for infants and children. It was determined that Hepatitis B and annual flu shots aren’t necessary for healthy children, yet parents can request them with “no out-of-pocket” cost. It’s erroneous, though, to think that they are “free”. All of us pay for them in our taxes, whether we take them or not.

A study was done by Henry Ford Health System in Detroit Michigan titled “Impact of Childhood Vaccination on Short and Long-Term Chronic Health Outcomes in Children: A Birth Cohort Study”. It studied 18,468 children born between 2000 and 2016 enrolled in the health insurance plan, comparing the children who had no vaccines to children who had one or more vaccines. The goal of the study was to allay parental fears and bolster trust in vaccines. However, it concluded that vaccines contribute to chronic health disorders.

Of the chronic health conditions in the study, exposure to vaccination, even one vaccination exposure, was associated with an increased risk of asthma, autoimmune disease, atopic disease, eczema, neurodevelopmental disorders including developmental delay and speech disorder. Vaccine exposure was also associated with increased risk for developing other conditions, including ear infection, chronic ear infection, anaphylaxis, asthma attack or bronchospasm and eczema.
Hazard ratios could not be calculated for brain dysfunction, diabetes, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), tics, or behavioral, learning, intellectual, or other psychological disability since all cases occurred in the vaccinated group and none in the unvaccinated group. The conclusion of the study ends with the statement, “Our preliminary findings cannot prove causality and warrant further investigation.”

The study wasn’t published, so we didn’t hear or read about it. Why is this information, and other similar studies, being kept from us? The results were recently exposed in the documentary An Inconvenient Study by Del Bigtree, host of The Highwire. The documentary is worth viewing, as well as reading the study. http://www.aninconvenientstudy.com I, myself, suffered from many ear infections as a child, as did my child, who had to take speech therapy for several years, and was diagnosed with autoimmune disease by age 10.

It wasn’t reported in the news, but on January 22, 2026, the Children’s Health Defense filed a lawsuit against the American Academy of Pediatrics under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act for deliberately withholding information from doctors and consumers regarding vaccine testing and safety. There must be very compelling evidence of fraud to file a lawsuit against such a powerful organization. Vaccines contain aluminum and mercury, known neurotoxins to humans, along with other questionable, harmful ingredients.

Teachers and parents know that something is up with children. Parents want to know why their child is sick a lot or has behavior issues. Have you asked a teacher or school staff member, who has been injured while trying to protect a student with neurological impairment, who is acting out, from harming themselves and other students? Have you talked to a parent, especially a mom, who gets stares from strangers in public places, because the child is loud and touching things? This isn’t the time for name calling- anti-vaxxer /science denier/ conspiracy theorist. This is a time to rally around parents, guardians and children. Indeed, further investigation is warranted. That’s how science works. I think we can all agree to that. Can’t we?

-Mary Hauser, Newark

To the Editor:

The two Dave’s had their say in the News and Citizen on February 5, 2026. While both lamented about “the tactics being used by ICE to make America safer from violent illegal immigrants”, They forgot to mention the American families that have been devastated by the “tactics” of violent illegal immigrants. Do either of them know Laken Riley? How about Rachel Morin? Kate Steinle? These three women were not protesting. They were not screaming expletives to our ICE agents although they were screaming for their lives! But the two Daves sit back in their cushy homes in their Lilly white neighborhoods virtue signaling and probably will be standing on the corner of Portand street with other democrats on Saturday with ICE OUT signs making themselves feel good with all their other hypocrite friends.

There is this simple concept known as Cause and Effect. The democrats and their voting behavior caused the borders to be left wide open for 4 years. Now they are having to deal with the effect of ICE trying to undo the damage. You democrats caused the problem.

-Bill Bruner, Hyde Park

To the Editor:

All loss of life is tragic and compassion should be shown in every case.

Unfortunately, the Democrats and their assistants in the MSM only seem to care about a few selected cases. People like George Floyd (convicted felon and wife assailant), Renee Goode (openly hostile to law enforcement), and Adam Pretti (armed resister of law enforcement) are given hours and hours of reporting. Meanwhile cases like the following are completely ignored. These are truly innocent victims of violent criminal illegal aliens (the legal term for people in this country without permission). Below are a few of the thousands of examples of such victims:

Jocelyn Nungaray:

A 12-year-old was raped sodomized and murdered in Houston, Texas by criminal illegal alien men from Venezuela

Rachel Morin:

This mother of five lived in Maryland and was brutally raped and murdered by a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador.

Laken Riley: 

This 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student was brutally attacked, beaten, and murdered while jogging on February 22, 2024. Her killer, Jose Ibarra, was convicted and got life without parole back in November 2024.

WITHOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP (a few examples of real compassion):

17 GW of coal plants would have been SHUT DOWN LAST YEAR! Electric bills would have gone up. Blackouts would have occurred. Hundreds of people could have died in the recent cold snap! This is real compassion!

The border would still be out of control and the unfair pressure on jobs, housing costs, medical costs, and election integrity would still be there. This is real compassion!

Dangerous criminals from society would not have been removed and we would not have the lowest violent crime rates since records have been made! More people would have been murdered, assaulted and robbed! This is real compassion!

Drug prices would not have finally been internationally regularized. American citizens would still be paying for the development of medications for the whole world. Now all Americans will be paying far less for their essential health care. This is real compassion!

Iran would still be financing international terrorism and threatening Israel and the West with nuclear war. That threat has been eliminated by President Trump! That is real compassion!

-Anne and Ed Wheeler, Middlebury

To the Editor:

In regard to the news story “police called to remove cancer patient from hospital”, I am compelled to offer feedback to those involved.   First, my condolences to Jennifer Pidgeon for the loss of her husband and may Jody Pidgeon rest in peace after suffering pure horror in his last hours and moments of life.  

Secondly, shame, shame, and more shame upon the staff of RRMC and the Rutland City police officers for the callous, unconsciounable treatment of a patient, a human being, who was in distress and severely ill.  Your actions signify a blight and a stain upon your community and most certainly upon your character.  Absolutely reprehensible and you have no purpose or qualifications to remain in a community service job at all.  

Thirdly, blessed be the EMT who rendered what aid and support they could to a man who was in distress and in grave medical danger.  The EMT deserves an award and reward for being the only true hero for displaying geniune human traits during this tragedy.

Lastly, what does this story reflect about our society, our health care system, and our law enforcement personel?  It is quite the repugnant factual reality unfolding on a daily basis.  Only the most dispicible and shocking incidents are published or reported to the public.  Yet, many people have witnessed or suffered inexplicable, unexcusable cruelty, and disrespect by those we are supposed to trust to care, administer care, and render help when needed.   Not all the apples in these barrells are rotten, but it appears the most rotten among us are destroying many lives with impunity. It is beyond the pale to tolerate or ignore such abominations, i.e. crimes against humanity.  If this type of behavior does not cease and desist, how many more will die before hearts and minds change for better, instead of sustaining the worst?   The only way to stop it is to dole out the most severe consequences, with penalties and condemnation, without hesitation. 

For the administrators, the bosses, the bystanders and gawkers; there is no excuse or carefully crafted press statement to minimize or cover-up the willful assault, with death resulting, of an ill elderly man (60 years old is considered an elder by law.)  In my opinion, Mr. Pidgeon was sick, but even more sick were those treating him and those who swore to protect him.  They failed, not only him, but society at large.  For their actions, a man is dead and the public repulsed.  May it hang on their heads and hearts to the point of repenting and to never repeat such disgraceful conduct ever again. 

-Melissa J. Casey, Barre