To the Editor:
I took part in the recent flu clinic at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on January 13. This was a very impressive display of our six towns’ health officials, agencies, and workers being able to organize, offer, and implement disease-preventing, lifesaving vaccine. This event occurred at short notice, all the available vaccine was pooled and used. The public announcement was that vaccine would be given until we ran out, or until 2 pm, whichever came first. A large number of people were involved and gave their time, and a large number came to get vaccinated. It was quite awesome.
I’m disappointed to note that the MV Times covered this story with the headline “But a clinic runs out of vaccine.” [Island battles flu outbreak, but a clinic runs out of vaccine, January 17]
Why does The Times try to put a negative spin on this amazingly positive event? Does it benefit you in some way? Will more people read this article or your paper if they think someone may look bad? A quick look at the last two weeks of your main headlines for other stories includes other powerful negative words like “confusing”, “nix”, “mess”, “bugged by lack.” (It’s possible that all your newspaper issues have this in common.)
Your negative manipulation of information is tiresome and irritating. Instead of insinuation, doubt, blame, and fear, it would be refreshing to see and expect clear journalistic reporting from your newspaper.
Laura Murphy R.N.
West Tisbury