‘Parental rights’ misguided

Some members of the Spokane Valley community believe that their rights supersede the rights of the rest of us. They accept no responsibility for participating in protecting the health of other community members.

Led by council members Ed Pace, Mike Munch and Caleb Collier, this group is endeavoring to pass a “parental rights resolution.” This resolution allows parents to choose not to immunize their children (a right they already possess) and to make all decisions related to the child’s school attendance. These parents depend on you and me immunizing our children for their herd immunity but they are unwilling to accept decisions of the health department and school to exclude their children during outbreaks when their voluntarily non-immunized children become a risk to immune-compromised children and adults.

Laws requiring immunization for entry into school and provisions for exclusion of non-immunized children are designed to protect the entire community. The law recognizes that some individuals cannot be immunized for medical reasons and takes this into account. These laws comport with the constitutional charge to “provide for the general welfare.” Refusal to take even the most basic responsibility for the well-being of other community members is unacceptable and un-American.

Carol Brady Allen, PhD, RN

Spokane Valley