Booster treadmill

Dear Editor,
A perennial six-month COVID vaccine “booster” treadmill is not the solution, but the problem since it perpetuates a vaccinated host population for natural selection of new variants due to immune pressure.
This is the same phenomenon with influenza vaccine.
I see no resolution of this pandemic in sight granted the present vaccine and drug strategies. Until you block oro-nasal transmission, spread shall persist and masking will be required.
Until you block viral-host interaction, infection and intracellular viral reproduction will persist.
Current monovalent vaccines and boosters will perpetuate the natural selection of new SARS variants.
Sincerely,
Joseph N. Manago
Briarwood

Vaccine realities

Dear Editor,
Your editorial in the October 7th issue is myopic in claiming that the unvaccinated “now are the last obstacle standing in the way of finally ending this pandemic.”
The scientific evidence shows that a mucosal virus as SARS-CoV-2 is best targeted vaccinologically via intranasal immunization since it induces high levels of neutralizing antibodies.
The pandemic is still spreading since the oro-nasal route of transmission is not blocked by the current intramuscular (IM) route of inoculation of Pfizer, Moderna, and J & J vaccines.
However, intranasal immunization studies show robust systemic and mucosal immunity, thus curtailing and possibly eradicating pandemic spread. Recent Israeli studies show the waning effects of the Pfizer format after two months of the second shot, with efficacy down to 20 percent six months later.
With mucosal immunity, masks would be obsolete. An IM booster treadmill is perpetuating spread and facilitating the proliferation of new viral variants due to natural selection of immune pressure.
Several models, such as an Oral Polio-vectored SAR-CoV-2, would be promising to curtail the spread. The right idea in the wrong hands is the wrong idea.
Joseph N. Manago
Briarwood

Drug alley

Dear Editor,
A lack of community planning in Community Board 8 has resulted in seven pharmacies within two square blocks in Briarwood, five of them being small mom-and-pop joints, one with only signage, and another a marijuana dispensary. Three of them are dirty and poorly stocked with over-the-counter items, and another closed most of the time.
None of them have private patient consultation areas or glucose or cholesterol testing. I want the state to investigate all of these Briarwood drugstores until we get just one CVS or Rite Aid to drive them all out of business.
We don’t need seven contiguous drugstores in this neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Joseph N. Manago
Briarwood

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