Nation's health at risk with nominee
Vaccines are safe and effective.
Do you know anyone who has an active case of polio?
The answer to that rhetorical question is no because Drs. Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin developed effective and safe vaccines that were given to millions of school-age children.
This mass vaccination project has led to the near eradication of the virus, which can cause paralysis or even death.
Equally important was that the vaccines were safe and did not cause serious side effects.
They did not cause autism, a claim that has been disproven in multiple studies. Those individuals who spread the idea that vaccines cause autism are dealing in unfounded conspiracies, scaring people and putting our children at risk for getting potentially serious illnesses.
Why do schools require mumps, measles and chickenpox vaccinations? These are viral illnesses that can have serious health consequences.
If children are not vaccinated, they can infect others, leading to epidemics.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal antivaxxer who deals in conspiracy theories and not rigorously obtained scientific data, has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
If he were to become the head of HHS, he has the potential to put the health of our nation at great risk.
We cannot have an antivaxxer at the head of this very important cabinet position.
Dr. PERRY V. HALUSHKA
Charleston
Sales tax honesty
The recent overwhelming vote against a half-cent sales tax extension for transportation projects in Charleston County unsurprisingly reflects voters' preference for transparency and honesty.
Citizens are fed up with politicians and interest groups distorting facts and hiding their true motivations.
There is a clear need for funding to enable the safe and efficient movement of cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians.
I believe we should not pour billions of dollars into a pet project obsession for developers and those who stand to profit from the I-526 extension. It would be wasteful at best.
I look forward to a well-planned and prioritized description of infrastructure improvements that a sales tax extension would bring and hope it will persuade me to change my "no" vote to an enthusiastic "yes."
CHARLES GOLDMAN
Charleston
Address SC problems
Now that Republicans have a supermajority in both houses of the state Legislature, it should be possible for them to work on improving our reputation.
South Carolina ranks toward the bottom in too many categories when compared with other states.
Why not address real problems related to crime, poverty, education and health care?
TERRY TSURUTIS
Charleston
Wage violations
As sad as it sounds, the care-industry workers who provide essential and basic services to our communities' most vulnerable members are often among the nation's lowest-paid and frequently victimized by wage theft.
Whether by a lack of understanding of federal regulations or by unscrupulous employers' design, wage violations are all too common in the care industry. And these thefts harm workers who can least afford to get shortchanged.
When employers violate wage laws, workers can be deprived of earned overtime, benefits and more.
In the Southeast alone, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division recovered $4.1 million for more than 2,000 care workers in fiscal year 2024.
That's why the division is actively engaged in education and enforcement efforts to inform employers of their obligations, and educate workers of their rights as well as protect them.
We cannot ignore this problem, just as the people who care for family members and friends cannot ignore them when that care is needed most.
The work they do helps support the foundation of our economy, and yet these workers sometimes struggle to find the peace of mind that comes with knowing they're being paid fully for all the work they do.
They deserve better, and we should demand they get it.
Learn more about upcoming compliance assistance events, request information, ask questions and get resources to understand the laws the division enforces by calling the division's toll-free helpline at 866-487-9243.
JAMIE BENEFIEL
District director
U.S. Department of Wage and Hour Division
Columbia
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