Thank you, Press Herald, for your coverage of issues related to vaccination.

We all make decisions based on how we feel. Patients with injuries to certain parts of their brains that generate emotions can’t even decide what to eat for lunch. Emotions play the starring role when we process information.

The scientific method asks us to set aside our preconceived notions and follow the evidence wherever it leads. Scientists have developed ways to reduce bias as much as possible. The scientific method is not human nature. Human nature is to formulate a belief, then absorb evidence that supports it, and dismiss evidence that contradicts it.

I have a friend who denies global climate change. He is a car nut (and makes his living in the car business) and chooses for himself what to believe.

I have another friend who believes that vaccines will harm his kids. He follows a natural lifestyle and will not have chemicals injected into his perfectly healthy babies.

Following our gut feelings makes sense when it comes to deciding what to have for lunch or who to spend time with, but not for public policy questions about technical topics. These decisions are best informed by science.

Getting a scientific consensus is not easy. Scientists work in many competing institutions in competing countries. They like nothing more than discovering and pointing out where another scientist is wrong. If a large majority of scientists actually agree on widely studied topics, like climate change or the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, that is powerful evidence.

I hope the Legislature will follow the science and do whatever it can to protect our kids by improving the vaccine rates in our public schools.

Nathan Greene

South Portland