Citizens Present Resolution Opposing CDPHE, OCHD, Mask, Vaccine Mandates to Otero Commissioners

Description: Citizens of Otero County expressed their opposition to vaccine and mask mandates in both the public and private context and showed thier support for the rights of individuals and families living in this jurisdiction to direct their own health futures.

Citizens Present Resolution Opposing CDPHE, OCHD, Mask, Vaccine Mandates to Otero Commissioners

After the audience participation portion of the Otero County Commissioner meeting James Baldwin responded that the resolution would be reviewed by the County attorney and be on the agenda for consideration at the next public hearing scheduled for September 27, 2021.

SPEAKERS – Otero County Commissioners’ Meeting – Monday, September 13, 2021

Public Comment (Limit of 3 minutes)

EDDY, Sunny – Fowler Small business owner 

EHRLICH, Carolyn – La Junta Community Member

FROESE, Kerry - Cheraw Board of Health

GOODWIN, Jessica - Swink Parent 

HICKS, Steven – Cheraw Pastor 

MORKUS, Isaac Vaccinated Individual

NICHOLS, Damon – La Junta Housing 

RAMIREZ, Lynette – La Junta Community Member 

The Complete Resolution Follows:

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING COLORADO HEALTH DEPARTMENT MANDATES AND OTERO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MANDATES REQUIRING INDIVIDUALS TO BE VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 AND THE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR MASKS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS

WHEREAS, from March 13, 2020 until July 26, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners of Otero County governed Otero County through the recommendations of the Otero County Emergency Manager, and on the recommendations of the Otero County Health Department Director, relative to the local disaster emergency; and

WHEREAS, Otero County Board of County Commissioners also declared a local public health and economic emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and

WHEREAS, on July 26, 2021, Resolution #2021-07 was signed resolving that the presence and likelihood of additional causes of the COVID-19 virus within Otero County, Colorado, no longer warranted a declaration of a local public health and economic emergency; and

WHEREAS, every citizen of Otero County who wants a vaccine possesses the right to obtain one, but no vaccine should be mandated or required for employment or by law;

WHEREAS, many Otero County citizens may already have had infection-acquired immunity; and

WHEREAS, herd immunity, which includes both vaccinated and those with infection-acquired immunity, has either been achieved or will shortly be realized in Otero County; and

WHEREAS, doctors now have a better understanding of the COVID-19 virus, and the effective treatment options for those who will still acquire the virus; and

WHEREAS, individuals should be allowed to decide for themselves, and for their families, if they need a vaccination, and/or a mask for protection against the virus; and

WHEREAS, the responsibility for one’s health and well being is a personal matter, and not something the government should be involved in; and

WHEREAS, families should be able to decide for themselves what measures they want to take to protect their family from the virus; and

WHEREAS, people have the right to refuse vaccinations based on religious, medical, or personal reasons, and every present-day medical intervention requires informed consent and the right of refusal, including the COVID-19 vaccine; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 mandates will create a two-tiered society, commonly known as a caste system, which is a type of social structure which divides people based on inherited social and economic status, and in this matter of the COVID-19 virus, the masked and unmasked; the vaccinated and unvaccinated;

and

WHEREAS, once a COVID-19 mandate system is in place, it could be manipulated to restrict freedoms based on not just vaccination status, but also on the basis of protected activities, such as the exercise of free speech or religious activity; protected categories, such as race, ethnicity, sex, disability, gender, etc.; or any personal decision or preference that a government or business considers acceptable; and

WHEREAS, we, the citizens of Otero County, desire to express our opposition to vaccine and mask mandates in both the public and private context and to express our support for the rights of individuals and families living in this jurisdiction to direct their own health futures.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE OTERO COUNTY, COLORADO BOARD OF COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS:

Section 1: The decision to be vaccinated for COVID-19 is an individual and personal decision, and should not be a decision made by force or manipulation by another person or entity, or as a condition of employment or activity of any kind.

Section 2: We, the people of Otero County, desire to express our opposition to COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates in both the public and private context, and to express our support for the rights of individuals in all health matters.

Section 3: We, the people of Otero County, are granted God-given rights protected by the United States Constitution, and the personal responsibility to uphold those rights and freedoms is the job of the people, not of the government.

Section 4: This Resolution shall be in full force and effect on the day of its final passage and adoption.

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