Editor,
We can reduce vaccine hesitancy by asking local TV stations to stop showing close-ups of people receiving shots. Needle phobia is common.
Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 56F. W winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph..
Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 56F. W winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
Updated: June 14, 2026 @ 4:09 pm
Editor,
We can reduce vaccine hesitancy by asking local TV stations to stop showing close-ups of people receiving shots. Needle phobia is common.
Every night, I see two or three close-ups of needles puncturing arms. It doesn't bother me, but some people freak out. A nurse recently told me that a grown man who claimed to have no problem with needles instantly fainted when she approached him with the hypodermic. She had to summon help to carry him away.
Also, reverse psychology might overcome hesitancy. People want things that are hard to get. (Remember toilet paper mania?) Instead of offering rewards for vaccinations, set a deadline (say, Aug. 1) and announce that shots thereafter will cost $1,000 out-of-pocket, regardless of insurance. We might see a stampede.
Tom R. Halfhill
Burlingame
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(1) comment
Mr. Halfhill, an intriguing idea to impose a $1000 out-of-pocket cost. I’m thinking you won’t get the results you want especially after the income equity mob comes after you. We might see a stampede. BTW, there are plenty of large-leaved trees so having enough toilet paper was never an issue. And there’s always the NYTimes and other fake news rags that many would say bring more value as toilet paper than real news.
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