By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
More than 50 citizens fighting for their individual freedoms to remain unvaccinated and unmasked crowded into the lobby of the Wood County Health Department Thursday evening.
Despite a rule that people wear masks in county buildings, the vast majority rejected masks offered by health department staff.
They told the board that any mask or vaccine mandates violated the Constitution, that getting the vaccine is more risky than getting COVID, and that a shake up may be needed on the health board and board of county commissioners.
“Us as parents feel like we have the right to protect our children,” said Isaac Schonlau. “You’re messing with our kids.”
Though the health department does not mandate masks in schools, several school districts require them as the best way to keep students in the classrooms, as guided by the health department.
Schonlau asked that the health board change its guidance to make it similar to how schools handle cases of influenza.
“Just keep in mind, you guys work for us,” he said.
And if the board doesn’t act accordingly, “we have a good lawyer,” a voice shouted from the lobby.
The first woman to speak to the board refused to give her name to media. She claimed to represent thousands of residents in Wood County opposed to any “one size fits all mandate.”
The woman said the notion that citizens should act for the good of their community is flawed, with individual freedom trumping the greater good. She said the health department’s guidance on vaccines, masks and isolation for those exposed will “destroy” the community.
The next speaker, Nicole Sieving, introduced herself as a “God-loving, proud American,” and said any vaccination mandates violate the U.S. Constitution and the Geneva Convention.
“The risk clearly exceeds the benefit,” Sieving said of the vaccines.
Tiffany Densic, a Rossford Board of Education member, cited adverse reactions to the vaccines, including spontaneous abortions. She told the board she would email them a 38-page document with proof.
David Desser listed off maladies experienced by his family members and co-workers after getting the vaccine, including a brain tumor and heart attack. Desser said he is skeptical of all vaccines, saying a family member went into a coma following a flu shot.
“It’s just not your decision,” he told the board.
Paul Tyson asked the board if they had received his email which included 25 questions about COVID vaccines. Bob Midden, who has extensive experience in public health, said he would be responding to those questions in detail.
“There’s a tremendous amount of misinformation that is circulated,” Midden said.
That was met by shouts of “no, no” from those in the lobby.
Currently, the board of health does not mandate vaccines anywhere or require masks at any site other than the county health department. But last month the board began discussing the impending federal CMS vaccine mandate for any health facility that receives Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements for services.
That federal mandate is on hold, with an injunction in a Louisiana court.
“As of right now, there is no rule to enforce,” Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison said Thursday evening.
Since it is unknown if any federal mandate will ever clear the courts, the board agreed to not take action, but continue discussing its options.
While board member Richard Strow said he was not ready to pass any vaccine mandates for health department staff, he did express concern for the county residents who rely on the community health clinic and dental clinic operated at the health department.
If the health board were to lose its federal funding and reimbursements, it could put an estimated 2,500 patients at risk.
“I think that we have to have a very clear picture of how many people won’t be able to get services,” Strow said.
Midden suggested that the board use time wisely to discuss how it might handle a potential vaccine mandate, “so we’re ready to make a decision as quickly as possible if needed.”
Since the last board meeting, Robison said the health department’s proposed vaccine policy had been streamlined, so it is less stringent.
Also at the meeting, Robison reported on an uptick in COVID cases in Wood County since Thanksgiving, with an average of 100 new cases identified each day. Several area hospitals have been on EMS bypass regularly, and elective surgeries are being canceled. Robison cautioned that the county may see a resurgence in cases as Christmas nears.
The health department is working to get more at-home COVID test kits, which are expected by the end of next week.
Robison also reported that nearly one in four children ages 5 to 11 in the county have received a COVID vaccination. The health department is working hard to help those parents who want their children vaccinated, he said.
