County commissioners say no to mandatory vaccines
Published 7:17 pm Tuesday, November 2, 2021
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By Mike Barnhardt
Enterprise Record
Getting a COVID vaccination is a personal choice.
County commissioners agree on that.
“It’s your choice, but for the love of God, talk to your medical professional or whoever you trust, and make sure you make an informed decision,” said board chair, Terry Renegar. “I will defend your right to make that decision until the end, but let’s make sure we’re getting the proper professional advice and not your favorite talking head on 24/7 news networks. I say this out of love and out of compassion because this thing is real.”
According to figures released Monday by Davie Health & Human Services, 53 percent of Davie residents have been fully vaccinated, and 55 percent have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Commissioner Mark Jones, after praising health officials for the work in Davie, told fellow board members last month they need to be ready to speak out against mandatory vaccines as suggested by President Joe Biden.
“Getting a vaccine is a choice,” Jones said. “So I think we as a county, we have to be prepared to support our businesses and support our local citizens and at some point, be ready to speak out against the mandatory vaccine policieis that have been radically proposed by the President.
“I encourage folks who want to get vaccinated to get vaccinated, but government should stay out of the way, and we have.”
Commissioners and the county, he said, are committed to encouraging – but not requiring – COVID vaccinations.
According to Monday’s numbers, the number of Davie residents with the virus was 97, up from 80 reported the previous week. Of numbers released Monday: 27 are among those age 65 and older; 13 age 50-64; 32 age 25.49; 7 age 18-24; and 18 age 17 or younger.