Anti-vax bill hurt by wild testimony
‘Everyday mainstream citizens were shocked’
Testimony from an Ohio physician sharing debunked conspiracy theories that went viral last week has “wounded” but not killed off a controversial anti-vaccination bill, according to Ohio House Health Committee Chairman Scott Lipps.
“We will still put it through its paces. We want to hear opponent testimony and we want to see what amendments the bill sponsor presents,” Lipps, R-franklin, said in an interview.
House Bill 248, sponsored by state Rep. Jennifer Gross, R-west Chester, has drawn enormous interest. Hundreds of supporters of “medical freedom” have weighed in on the bill while more than 50 business, health and hospital groups signed a letter in opposition.
Last week, Dr. Sherri Tenpenny testified that the COVID-19 vaccine may magnetize people and have some sort of interface with 5G cellphone towers.
“I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures all over the internet of people who have had these shots and now they’re magnetized,” said Tenpenny, of Middleburg Heights in Cuyahoga County. “You can put a key on their forehead, it sticks. You can put spoons and forks all over and they can stick because now we think there is a metal piece to that.”
Lipps said Tenpenny’s testimony
“got a bit off the rails and did not necessarily discuss medical freedom of choice.”
“She talked about the radical theory of 5G and people being magnetic,” Lipps said. “While Tenpenny, or some organizations such as OAMF (Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom), may accept those theories, obviously everyday mainstream citizens were shocked.”
Tenpenny’s comments led to national headlines and much mockery of Ohioothers. Gov. Mike Dewine came out in opposition to the bill the next day.
Testimony against the bill kicked off Tuesday in the Health Committee, with dozens of physicians, hospital administrators and other medical professionals scheduled to testify.
Lipps began the hearing by asking for respect, decorum and professionalism, noting there had been “some threats” since last week’s hearing. He said opponents used Tenpenny’s testimony to undermine the stories of others who have been harmed by vaccines. He said the legislative process is meant to introduce different opinions and points of view.
“Please step outside your world and understand people are not all the same and do not believe the same,” Lipps said.
House Bill 248 would:
h Block employers from mandating vaccinations as a condition of employment.
h Allow Ohioans to skip any vaccination by making a written or verbal declaration and require health districts, schools or other government agencies to let Ohioans know how they can opt out.
h Require schools to explicitly tell parents of existing law that allows them to skip childhood vaccinations because of medical, religious or “reasons of conscience.”
h Prohibit forcing unvaccinated people to wear masks, be relegated to separate areas or face other punishments.
h Allow for civil lawsuits for violations of the bill.
h Block health departments, schools or other government agencies from mandating participation in a vaccine registry.
h Repeal a requirement that college students be vaccinated against hepatitis B and meningitis before being allowed to live in the dorms.
Higher immunization rates help protect everyone against contagious diseases such mumps, whooping cough, measles or tuberculosis. Those who can’t be vaccinated, such as babies who are too young or people with medical conditions, rely on herd immunity that comes with high vaccination rates.
USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau Chief Jackie Borchardt contributed reporting.
Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.