The Sun Journal’s Oct. 17 article, “‘Nightmare scenarios’: Emergency medical responders contend with vaccine mandates,” failed to point out the obvious.

First responders deal closely and directly with the general public. The COVID delta variant is extremely contagious and sometimes deadly. Vaccines are proven to greatly prevent the spread of COVID and the chances of severe illness.

Therefore, any first responder who declines vaccination is no longer qualified for his or her job, period. Stop coddling these people who are selfishly and stupidly making the pandemic longer and more severe.

Theo Chen, San Diego, California