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The line of testifiers for Sen. Ben Hansen’s bill (LB643) that would allow people to opt out of mandatory vaccine directives. Just about everyone indicated they wanted to speak. Testimony will be limited to 3 min.
First time we've seen a crowd like this in the Capitol this session. Masks aren't required in the building, but there are signs recommended social distancing be observed, which obviously isn't happening here.
Sen. B. Hansen says he'll forgo most of his opening statements to clear some time for testifiers. He
"This legislation is in no way against vaccines or the COVID-19 vaccines...This is more saying the state doesn't have a right to inject anything into our bodies mandatorily."
"This legislation is in no way against vaccines or the COVID-19 vaccines...This is more saying the state doesn't have a right to inject anything into our bodies mandatorily."
He says the bill is an attempt to protect Nebraskans' rights. He says he never imagined what the pandemic would do last year, and says the bill is proactive against any mandated vaccine in the future.
Proponents up:
Allie French says being against vaccines is not a conspiracy theory; she says they are a failed science experiment dating back to the 18th century. Diseases have been defeated by improvements in sanitation and diet, she says.
Allie French says being against vaccines is not a conspiracy theory; she says they are a failed science experiment dating back to the 18th century. Diseases have been defeated by improvements in sanitation and diet, she says.
Ben Tapper, a chiropractor from Omaha, says "vaccine injury is real." He says vaccines might contain substances that violate a person's religious beliefs, i.e. aborted fetal cells.
He says the body is better at defeating diseases than any vaccine.
He says the body is better at defeating diseases than any vaccine.
Robert Borer, a retired firefighter from LNK, says compulsory vaccination violates American's constitutional rights.
"Consent is the antithesis of compulsion." He says vaccines are "a one-size fits all practice...presented as a single cure-all," advocates for healthier lifestyle
"Consent is the antithesis of compulsion." He says vaccines are "a one-size fits all practice...presented as a single cure-all," advocates for healthier lifestyle
No questions from committee members so far. They are moving testifiers through conveyor belt style.
Brandy Whitmore, an RN from Lincoln, says she's witnessed "vaccine injury...over and over."
"The problems with vaccinations is we cannot determine what the risks are" because the state doesn't require reporting on effects.
"The problems with vaccinations is we cannot determine what the risks are" because the state doesn't require reporting on effects.
Whitmore says she had an autoimmune response to a vaccine in 2017. She tested for rheumatoid arthritis, but says her doctor won't acknowledge that a vaccine caused it.
Testifier who hasn't given his name yet says he studies medicine as "an avocation."
He asks the committee if they know the signs of a stroke. Sen. John Arch, HHS cmte chair, tells him they are the ones who ask the questions.
He asks the committee if they know the signs of a stroke. Sen. John Arch, HHS cmte chair, tells him they are the ones who ask the questions.
"You guys know Bill Gates? His grandfather, Frederick Gates, started the process of shutting down medical schools..."
"I've been extremely censored on Facebook..."
"I've been extremely censored on Facebook..."
Adam Fogarty says government should "protect and defend the citizens," but he believes govt is more interested in protecting corporate profits.
"We need you to stand in our corner, not only to protect and defend future mandates, but also from corporations' mandating vaccines.
"We need you to stand in our corner, not only to protect and defend future mandates, but also from corporations' mandating vaccines.
Fogarty closes with mention that "400,000 people who died *WITH* COVID, not *OF* COVID."
Colleen Fogarty, a retired pediatric RN, says she experienced "damaged to children which was not recognized for what it was."
"I beg you to give me my right to refuse."
"I beg you to give me my right to refuse."
Tyler Hackbart, a chiropractor, has an autoimmune disease & has never been vaccinated. He asks the committee to "use the best evidence you have and then make a faith decision." Tells senators they have all the information, now they need "the courage to do the right thing."
"I'm for the freedom to choose for myself and my family, and I hope you guys are, too," Hackbart closes.
Dana Seevers, a mother of 5 from Seward, says she's a "previous vaxxer." After one of her children had some side effects after 18 mo shots, she said she looked into it.
"Based on my research, we chose not to vaccinate the next 4 children we had."
"Based on my research, we chose not to vaccinate the next 4 children we had."
"The science around vaccines is not settled," Seevers says. Adds the state should "leave room for individual freedoms and trust Nebraskans to make their own decisions."
Mentions Big Pharma controls politicians as her time expires.
Mentions Big Pharma controls politicians as her time expires.
Seems to be some confusion among some testifiers that the Legislature is actively trying to mandate some new vaccination, which is not the case.
Bonnie Meckel, an RN for nearly 10 years, says she has a lot of patients ask "do I have to?" If the state mandates a vaccine, what will they mandate next, she asks.
"There's a COVID vaccine -- to each their own on that -- I've treated COVID, I've had COVID," Meckel says.
She again says mandating vaccines would lead to a slippery slope of more mandates.
She again says mandating vaccines would lead to a slippery slope of more mandates.
