To the editor:

I would like to thank those persons, including nurses, who protested the vaccine mandates in Sidney (SDN- 8/8) There are compelling medical , moral, philosophical, and constitutional reasons to oppose these mandates.

Health care decisions are often made on the basis of risks/benefits which an individual makes in consultation with those whom they trust to give them accurate information. There are many reasons why someone might decline the vaccine: they have had covid and are immune; they are in an age range where they have almost no risk from the virus; they have medical issues with possible side effects; they have moral reservations about the use of aborted fetal cells in the production/ testing of the injections; they have scientific concerns about the use of the mrna technology which has been relatively untested in human vaccines; or they are not convinced that the vaccines are as safe or as effective as they have been presented to be.

There are unanswered questions about these emergency use authorization products, but one thing we do know for sure is that there has been no long term testing. I don’t believe it is rational, moral, or legal for a public or a private entity to mandate a product for which there is no long term testing. That fact will remain even if the FDA gives official approval.

We have a window of opportunity to pass HB 248 to protect ourselves from these mandates, but only if we are willing to speak up now. If we don’t take the time to fight for our medical freedoms now, we may lose them. Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom has a website: https://www.voteyesonhb248.com

Exemptions are band-aids, but in certain circumstances, they may be the only option until protective legislation is passed.

https://americasfrontlinedoctors.org/legal/vaccines-the-law/?fbclid=IwAR3V1-uA_OKAJidghRu5a1SxNGip3FXC4hmI_gL4MJGEWY1vu-ahWPqS2ss

Common sense, the free interchange of ideas, and respect for constitutional and civil liberties can help provide protection from these mandates.

Mary C. Schmiesing

Sidney