Opposition to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Grows in Connecticut

Bus drivers, teachers, and parents expressed their strong opposition to employer mandates for the COVID-19 vaccine during a hearing at the state Capitol, criticizing Gov. Ned Lamont's executive order requiring vaccines for school staff, child care workers, and state employees. They argued that the mandates infringe on their personal choice and freedoms, and that the vaccine requirements should be subject to the legislative process rather than executive order. Several of those who spoke, including bus drivers and a substitute teacher, expressed concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, as well as the lack of clear guidelines and the potential for discriminatory testing requirements.

Key Takeaways:

• 44 people signed up to speak at the hearing, with all indicating opposition to mandatory vaccination, and over 50 people were signed up in total.
• Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, and Rep. Mike France, R-Ledyard, criticized the use of executive orders for vaccine mandates, arguing that it circumvents the legislative process.
• Fishbein and France incorrectly stated that the Pfizer vaccine has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Bus drivers from Bristol spoke out against mandates, with one stating her choice was between God and her, and another saying she would likely lose her job if she refused to be vaccinated.
• Kathleen Lopez, a substitute teacher from Winsted, expressed concerns about the PCR test used to detect COVID-19, stating that she did not want to have a swab inserted into her nostrils.
• Connecticut has a 68.1% vaccination rate, with 75.5% of the population having received at least one dose.

Statistics:

• 68.1% of Connecticut's population is fully vaccinated.
• 75.5% of the population has received at least one dose.
• 44 people who signed up to speak at the hearing opposed mandatory vaccination.
• Over 50 people were signed up to speak at the hearing.
• 52% of respondents in a Gallup poll conducted in July would favor their employer requiring all employees without a medical exemption to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
• 38% of respondents opposed employer-mandated vaccination.

Sources:

• "Opposition to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Grows in Connecticut" by Erica Moser, The Day, September 23, [Exact format not provided, assume the formatting preserved as is]
• "Gallup poll conducted in July"
• [Other sources, if any, should be explicitly mentioned as they appear in the original text]