Raphael Lee Cass, Byron Bay
I’ve taken umbrage with the expression, ‘fake news,’ – proud of our Echo – but the article on page 5, of Echo 2 June, concerning a Byron rally about ‘forced COVID-19 vaccinations,’ disappoints me greatly.
Even Blind Freddy knows vaccination is voluntary. The article has no by-line, which indicates it is not written by an Echo journalist. It appears as though it was written by the rally organiser. The photo is ‘supplied’, meaning it’s not taken by an Echo photographer.
The article quotes the organiser regarding different topics as speaking on behalf of ‘many Australians,’ ‘many’, and ‘people’. He states his points of view, has no medical or scientific information and there is no statement from anyone who knows anything about the horrible virus.
The last paragraph takes the cake, inferring that if people had a ‘healthy lifestyle and immune system’, they wouldn’t get the coronavirus – despite huge numbers of healthy people getting it. He adds, ‘then, if they do get COVID-19, treat any symptoms with known non-toxic available antiviral drugs.’
I suggest the organiser talks [and all the ‘protesters’ talk] to someone who has had COVID-19 and nearly died, and to relatives of people who have died from it, to get some sensibility about the illness. His claims are damaging and ridiculous.
I’m qualified to say this. I survived COVID-19.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
