Morris Republican St. Rep. David Welter says protecting public health and respecting individual freedom are not mutually exclusive priorities. He says parents should decide whether their children must wear masks and get vaccinated against COVID-19. He filed a bill earlier this month that would ban a school, the state, or other entities from making such requirements. The words in the bill also cover quarantining, surgeries, and medication.
Welter says he’s concerned about one-size-fits-all mandates and how they may affect other health decisions outside of the pandemic. His bill would let parents go to court for damages of $1,000 per day.