The Lingering Impact of Biden's COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
Two years ago, President Joe Biden faced judicial and legislative obstacles to his comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Despite these roadblocks, the effects of this policy continue to be felt. If the Supreme Court and Congress had not intervened, the repercussions of our COVID-19 crisis could have been even more severe. The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, led by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, held a hearing in July to examine the science and impact of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates.
Questioning the Safety and Efficacy of the Vaccine
Biden, his congressional allies, and numerous medical societies maintained that these unprecedented government mandates were harmless and beneficial. However, the repeated assertion that the vaccines are "safe and effective" requires careful examination. Over the past two years, evidence has emerged of potential health risks associated with the COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines, intended to prevent severe illness and death, can also pose significant risks.
Health Risks Associated with the Vaccine
The New York Times recently reported that even among the elderly, who are the primary candidates for vaccination, there are risks. Preliminary research from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services indicates an increased risk of stroke when older patients receive the vaccine simultaneously with the flu vaccine. Since the Select Subcommittee hearing in July, new scientific reports have reinforced the need for caution.
The Impact of Vaccine Mandates on the Doctor-Patient Relationship
The vaccine mandates have also had a detrimental effect on the doctor-patient relationship. Wenstrup noted that the decision to undergo a medical treatment or procedure is typically made between a doctor and a patient. However, the Biden administration's intervention disrupted this sacred relationship. It is standard ethical practice for a doctor to inform a patient about the risks and benefits of a procedure, and for the patient to give informed consent. When a patient faces a personal risk, their consent, not public coercion, is the only ethical requirement.
Coercion in the Public and Private Sectors
The issue of vaccine coercion extends beyond the public sector. Allison Williams, a reporter with ESPN, testified at the Select Subcommittee hearing that she lost her job because she refused the COVID-19 vaccine on the advice of her personal physician due to fertility treatments. Physicians have also been subjected to coercion. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, a doctor, shared his conversations with fellow physicians who were similarly threatened with dismissal.
The Decline in Vaccinations and Public Trust
Currently, only 3.6% of Americans have received the new COVID-19 shot, and there has been a decrease in other vaccinations. While Biden's congressional allies attribute this decline to "misinformation," Dr. Kevin Bardosh of the University of Washington blamed coercive COVID-19 vaccine policies in his subcommittee testimony. He suggested that mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policies have negatively impacted public trust, vaccine confidence, political polarization, human rights, inequities, and social well-being.
The Consequences of Vaccine Mandates
Mandates are blunt instruments that can cause a lot of collateral damage, making them poor policy choices. Biden's attempt to impose these mandates two years ago largely failed, but the damage they inflicted has outlived their demise. They have compromised the doctor-patient relationship, further eroded public trust, and overridden legitimate safety concerns based on emerging scientific evidence. This is a hard lesson that needs to be learned.
Conclusion: The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates on New Businesses
President Joe Biden's attempt to enforce COVID-19 vaccine mandates, though thwarted by judicial and legislative obstacles, has left a lasting impact. This has significant implications for new businesses, particularly those in the healthcare sector.
The mandates, while intended to curb the spread of COVID-19, have been met with resistance due to emerging evidence of potential adverse health effects from the vaccines. This has raised questions about the ethics of enforcing such mandates, particularly in the absence of informed consent from patients.
Moreover, the mandates have strained the doctor-patient relationship, a cornerstone of healthcare. This could affect patient trust in healthcare providers, potentially impacting the reputation and success of new healthcare businesses.
The mandates have also led to job losses among those who, for personal or health reasons, choose not to get vaccinated. This could lead to a shortage of skilled workers, affecting the operational efficiency of businesses.
In conclusion, while the intention behind the vaccine mandates was to protect public health, the implementation and aftermath have posed challenges for new businesses. It underscores the need for a balanced approach that respects individual health choices while protecting public health.
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