To the editor:

Re: “Vaccine ‘passport’ possible border reopening tool,” April 5 (by Joe Mahoney, CNHI):

I have been supervising students (working on COVID-related research) in my laboratory since the pandemic began last year. I have taught some of my smaller courses in person. I have even flown on airplanes. I have also been recently vaccinated. Not one of my students that I directly interacted with ever caught the coronavirus. The point is that with social distancing, mask usage, proper hygiene (e.g., thoroughly washing hands and not rudely coughing/sneezing on others), vaccination, outdoor exercise and adequate sunlight exposure, and isolating when feeling sick, we can severely limit the spread of the virus and prepare our bodies to resist it when we ultimately are exposed to it. This is not an impossible challenge. It can and will be mitigated.

I worry that with the prolonged closure of our economies and severe restriction of travel — both domestic and international — we are placing ourselves in a far worse situation both economically, educationally, physically and psychologically that will have a lasting deleterious impact on all humanity — far worse than the 1-2% fatality rate of the virus itself.

Considering that Canada is America’s largest trading partner and one of our greatest allies, our international border with the nation should be open to travelers who have been vaccinated and/or tested for COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Prof. Michael Pravica

Henderson, Nevada