I offer this response and perspective not to invalidate or dismiss the Petitioner’s concerns and reasoning, but to demonstrate that there are coexisting truths and concerns that are also valid.

 

I will begin at the end with the Petitioners last statement…

 

“The irrational minority should not be dictating the public health policy for VA or the schools.”  - This assumes two things that may not be true, that people who do not want the vaccine are irrational, and that they are in the minority.  Interestingly, “democracy” does not mean “majority rules.” It means that the people have the power to deliberate and dictate public policy.  Just because an opinion may be in the majority doesn’t make it right or best for the collective group, and vice versa.

 

A democracy functions best when there is space for all voices and there is collaboration and creativity in solving our collective issues.  Dismissing, silencing, gaslighting, and FORCING one totalitarian view over another is not the answer, it is not democracy.

 

Those who do not want to be vaccinated, on a very basic human level, deserve that right to body autonomy and sovereignty.  When we justify taking this very fundamental right away from a whole group of individuals, we dehumanize them, and we create a huge collective vulnerability in our rights that can be dangerously exploited. 

 

The Petitioner also asks that…. “the board will mandate vaccines for all school employees, with only medical exemptions allowed.”  However, religious exemption is allowed by VA law, which is allowed by the constitution.  Those that don’t hold a conflicting religious belief may not understand the importance and significance of this law, and yet we live in a society where many different ways of living must coexist, this law respects the choice of religious exemptions and preserves the freedom of religious expression without persecution.  

 

“Vaccines are already required for all state employees.”  This argument assumes that the mandate for state employees was the proper, constitutional choice.  If it were so obviously so, there would not be this very debate.

 

“In addition, vaccines should be required for all students for whom the vaccine has been fully approved, just as many other vaccines are mandated.” – What is the need for mandating the COVID vaccine on children?  Any parent who wants potential protection from severe COVID symptoms for their child will be free to get the vaccine for that child.  The only group that could potentially be at greater risk is the non-vaccinated.  This is the family’s choice to make.  Non-vaccinated children are of no risk to vaccinated children, if we are assuming that the vaccine works as indicated by the CDC.  

 

Additionally, religious exemptions are allowed for students per state law.  Will this remain intact?

 

And these existing mandated vaccines are quite different than the COVID vaccine.  They use different technology, and were approved through the standard vaccine approval process that happens over a longer period of time.  We also have more long-term real-world experience with these vaccines, which does not exist for the COVID vaccine. 

 

And let’s not forget that there is no vaccine without risk, old or new.  Who will be liable for the unintended detrimental side effects that are inevitable with any pharmaceutical?  There have already been more reports of adverse events due to the COVID vaccine reported to VAERS than there are total reported adverse events for all other vaccines.  For this reason, the COVID vaccine should remain a personal choice without the threat of losing existing rights and resources.

 

“we are already seeing constant disruptions to education for far too many due to infections, possible infections based on symptoms, and mandatory quarantines.” – Again, those who want potential protection from severe COVID symptoms are free to get the vaccine.  The vaccine does not prevent infection or transmission. Those who don’t want it are free to take that risk.  Are we prepared though to deal with an exodus of teachers if a mandate is enforced?

 

“My daughter and all other students should have a right to be able to attend school without being unnecessarily put at risk by other students and teachers who refuse to be vaccinated” – How will a small group of non-vaccinated individuals pose a risk to vaccinated individuals?  According to the CDC, vaccinated individuals have greater protection from the virus, but can still transmit and become infected by the virus   If everyone has to be vaccinated in order for the vaccine to be effective in each individual, then the vaccine isn’t very effective, is it?  And accordingly, should we be mandating an ineffective, invasive pharmaceutical with potential risks? This argument that ALL people must be vaccinated for the vaccines to work collapses on itself in a pattern of circular reasoning.

 

“And it sure would be great for them to be able to go to school without masks “ – The current recommendation of the CDC is that all vaccinated people should wear masks indoors.  A vaccine mandate in VA schools will not necessarily change this.