BIG RAPIDS — The Mecosta County Board of Commissioners received a request, asking to declare, “Mecosta County would be a free county."
Area resident Debra Magnuson addressed the board during the public comment portion of a recent meeting, expressing her opposition to COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.
“I am not sure how you would say this — a resolution or something — I would like to propose to you that Mecosta County would be a free county — and by that, I mean liberties,” Magnuson said.
Magnuson referenced a resolution adopted by the Missaukee County Board of Commissioners stating, in part, the commission, “calls upon the Michigan Legislature to exercise their co-authority by adopting constitutionally sound measures which limit the unchecked exercise and abuse of executive power, which restore individual responsibility and accountability, and which return Michigan to the ranks of freedom-loving governments everywhere.”
“The Missaukee County commission does not support the expenditure of any county funds for the purpose of arrest and prosecution of any person accused of violating MDHHS emergency orders regarding COVID-19,” it states.
It further calls upon the citizens of Missaukee County to “act responsibly with regards to others while determining for themselves what is best for them.”
“What drew my attention to this is the Commission on Aging, because it says that you must have a COVID vaccination card to travel,” Magnuson said. "As you know, there are many reasons that people don’t get the shot."
She said it is well known that people who have already had COVID-19 now have antibodies, therefore do not need the vaccine. There are religious and health reasons for not getting it, Magnuson added.
“Like it has been said — we are not idiots. We are all adults,” she continued. “The state — meaning the local and federal (government) — does not have the right to tell us what is best for us, and it raises red flags for me when some groups are exempt — for example, Congress and the United States Postal Service."
U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order Sept. 9 requiring federal employees to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. All staff at U.S. private-sector firms with 100 or more employees will have to ensure staff are fully vaccinated or tested regularly.
The mandate only applies to the Executive Branch. Congress is a part of the legislative branch, and therefore not subject to the vaccine mandate.
Under Biden's current vaccine plan, USPS workers would be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 or take a weekly COVID-19 test, under the mandate for large companies.
“I am not anti getting any type of vaccinations,” she said. “I have had COVID-19, and I understand that it is very dangerous and very serious. I am not against masks. I am not against social distancing. But I am hoping Mecosta County will give us the liberty to make that choice.”
Resident Deborah Dygert told the board she supported the proposal from Magnuson, but would like it extended to local businesses.
"(I am for) letting people choose businesses to go in and businesses making the choice about restrictions," Dygert said. "Mask mandates scare me, especially if they are mandated for children. I understand that in close proximity it's a little different as opposed to the public, but those are my concerns."
The board typically does not respond to public comment during the meetings.
Citizens want Mecosta County to be a 'free county' - The Pioneer
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