[Student Last Name] 1

[Student Name]

[Instructor Name]

[Course Number]

[Date]

Rebuttal of an Argument
The chosen article is a New York Times editorial titled “Why Saving Kids Is

Bad Business in America”. The article’s URL is:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/04/opinion/covid-flu-rsv-children-hospitals.html. The

article argues that hospitals are understaffed and underprepared to address the influx of young

patients due to the spread of respiratory illnesses like Covid-19, influenza, and respiratory

syncytial virus. While the effects of respiratory diseases in children can be serious, it is

essential to address the issue as a whole.

All children are equally at risk of contracting respiratory viruses including Covid-19,

influenza, and RSV, according to one of the premises of the argument. But that isn't what's

happening. Children with preexisting conditions or weaker immune systems may be at

greater risk, but healthy children generally aren't in danger. Centre for Disease reports that

while children can contract and spread Covid-19, they are less likely to have severe

symptoms and contribute less to the spread of the disease than adults. In addition, vaccination

and hygiene are key to avoiding the spread of potentially fatal respiratory viruses including

influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among children.

Additionally, it is assumed in the argument that hospitals are jam-packed with sick

children. It's crucial to consider the scope of the health care system as a whole, even if some

individual institutions see a disproportionate number of young patients. Increasing the

number of available beds and canceling some treatments are two ways that hospitals around

the world are coping with the influx of new patients. Furthermore, many healthcare facilities
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have implemented measures to protect both patients and employees. As an example, they

have implemented stringent measures for controlling infections and expanded the use of PPE.

The assertion that Covid-19, the flu, and RSV can cause severe illness in children is

not supported by reliable research. While it's true that these illnesses can pose serious hazards

to children, the evidence in the argument fails to provide a complete picture of the dangers

and fails to account for crucial factors like preexisting conditions and immunization rates.

The argument fails to meet the "situation," "task," and "result" (or "STAR") criterion,

as stated by Lackner et al. (3-15). In order to have a full picture of how these diseases affect

children and the healthcare system, it is crucial to examine the specific circumstances, the

difficulties hospitals and healthcare workers are encountering, the measures taken to address

these issues, and the outcomes of these efforts. Without this information, it is challenging to

comprehend the magnitude of these disorders' effects on children and the healthcare system.

Furthermore, the argument rests primarily on anecdotal evidence, a logical fallacy

characterized by the use of anecdotes and personal experience in place of statistical evidence

(Ylmaz and Nihan). Even if these stories are compelling, they may not be indicative of the

population as a whole, and they certainly do not provide an accurate picture of the conditions.

Parents should be aware of the risks posed to their children's health by Covid-19,

influenza, and RSV, but they should also take a holistic approach and not only focus on one

facet of the problem at a time. Although children are vulnerable, there are safeguards in

place, and the healthcare system is prepared to handle a large influx of new patients. While

children are vulnerable, safeguards are available to ensure their safety.

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Works Cited
Lackner, Christine, and Tanya Martini. "Helping University Students Succeed at

Employment Interviews: The Role of Self-Reflection in E-Portfolios." Teaching &

Learning Inquiry 5.2 (2017): 3-15.

Yılmaz, Nihan. "Textual Analysis Of Argumentative Essays According To Toulmin Model,

Position Of Claims, Evidence Types And Coherence." (2019).