We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "newshound"
saying something like:

Some people are so sensitised a single sting could kill them. In that
case it makes no sense to tolerate a nest in the vicinity. Whether the
OP or his family are in that position I don't know.

I learn something new every day: I always thought that bees rather than
wasps caused that problem, but a little research supports GC

http://www.allergy-clinic.co.uk/anaphylaxis.htm

Indeed. A veterinarian friend of mine has been so stung over the years
she is in real danger if she gets stung again and makes sure anyone in
her company know what to do. Mind you, it makes working out in the
fields a bit of a problem, but hey ho.

That said, I'd still side with the wasps *unless* they are causing a problem
or small children or pets are likely to disturb them

Quite so. I have a nest of bees about ten feet above head height as I
leave my building - can't get rid, no matter how many attempts. I've
just got used to them and leave them alone, but the buggers are probably
gnawing away at the timbers. If they'd leave me alone it'd be fine, but
any time I want to drill the wall or just get up a ladder in their
vicinity, they get rather aggressive. That's when I get all on their
arse back.