Vaccine skeptics, World Cup transit fees

Not vaxxed? Charge the parents

Why aren’t the parents who paid money for fraudulent vaccine cards being charged with fraud? They paid money so their kids didn’t have to be vaccinated, putting other children, their teachers and other adults at risk for illnesses [“Vax skeptics worry some parents,” News, April 20]. I see them as guilty as the nurse practitioner, Julie DeVuono, setting themselves up as special from everybody else who adheres to the vaccination rules.

Shame on them and shame on law enforcement for not charging them. Plaster their names in the newspaper as cheaters. And allow parents to be sued if a classmate or parent got sick because of their deceit.

— Jean Douglass, Riverhead

One reason why some parents are skeptical of giving their children vaccines is they believe the autism rate has increased dramatically despite public health experts attributing the rise to improved awareness, broader diagnostic criteria, and better access to services.

In 2000, the chances of a child being born with autism was 1 in 150, and 20 years later it was 1 in 36. Although large-scale studies have shown there is no causal link between vaccines and autism, they aren’t convincing many people.

Until they can give better reasons for this huge rise, the vax skepticism will remain.

— Chris Connors, Amityville

It is inexplicable that in today’s world, allowing children to go to playgrounds alone can be considered negligent and risky parenting, but deliberately failing to protect your child from major illnesses is within the scope of discretion.

There is no credible medical or scientific organization that supports the uneducated belief that vaccines are harmful. An unscientific Google search by anti-vaxxers does not justify putting their children or others at risk. Doctors have no vested interest in promoting vaccines other than the well-being of their patients.

I am old enough to remember polio and children in leg braces as well as those with measles. I also remember the relief parents expressed and the long lines when vaccines finally became available. Those parents trusted their doctors and science. As a result, many diseases were nearly eradicated. What an irony that some of today’s parents who are at times criticized as overprotective fail on this basic responsibility.

— Cynthia Lovecchio, Remsenburg

Dr. Jonas Salk would be aghast at the lack of vaccinations that guardians are opting out of for their children, given the dangers of polio. Maybe these guardians should see clips of children with polio and measles to realize the ramifications of not being vaccinated.

It is unfathomable that people are taking a chance that their child will not get any of these diseases. The likelihood of contracting any of the diseases if people stop getting vaccinations could be a high percentage, and it should convince anyone to be vaccinated.

— Adrienne Horowitz, Old Bethpage

World Cup transit fees gouge fans

Many Americans have been trying for years to promote soccer in this country, and we now have a great world event, the World Cup, practically in Long Island’s backyard [“Train ride to World Cup: $150,” Sports, April 18]. Are we trying to push people away?

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is owned by a New Jersey state agency, but parking will not be allowed in most of the parking lot to make room for a fan village, buses, staging and broadcasts.

Fans’ option 1: Pay about $225 to park a mile away, and then either walk that mile or pay for a shuttle service.

Option 2: Pay NJ Transit $150 for a round-trip ticket from Penn Station to the stadium. That ticket is normally $12.90. NJ Transit claims that this price will allow them to just break even. So, do they lose a fortune on every Giants and Jets football game?

Maybe it’s time for NJ Transit to seek new management, if the only way it can exist is by pricing itself out of existence. It wants to make up a $200 million structural deficit at the expense of the fans.

It would be fitting if fans boycotted the games to protest these disgusting moves.

— Robert Broder, Stony Brook

I’ve been an avid soccer fan all my life. In 1994, I was able to attend several World Cup games at Giants Stadium. Tickets were not hard to get, and I even saw a semifinal match, which cost $200 plus $15-$20 for parking. I know $200 was worth more then, but it was affordable.

I was looking forward to reliving that experience again this year. Then reality set in. Despite promises to the contrary, FIFA jacked up prices to all games, making them unattainable for many. Even getting to buy a ticket seems impossible. Lowest-price tickets for the final are about $4,185 face value — with prices ranging up to $8,680.

Besides the ridiculous transit prices, hotels were initially increasing by over 300% to over 2,000% before cutting back. I’m almost glad I couldn’t get tickets.

The World Cup is a special event. It’s good for any sport to be exposed to as many people as possible, but this World Cup seems geared to a small group, and that’s a shame.

— James Terlizzi, New Hyde Park