Written by T. Logan Dayne
There was once a radical idea that those who enforce laws should not be the ones to also make laws. It was one of the ideas upon which the government of the United States was founded and all other state and local governments employ. As California, Governor Gavin Newsom, hastens this dissolution of the separation of powers by implementing COVID-19 vaccination mandates without consideration to personal beliefs or private business, he is being met with resistance by local Catholic dioceses across the state. Catholic dioceses across the state are allowing students attending parochial schools to keep to their religious beliefs and abstain from the COVID vaccine in resistance to Newsom’s mandate that all students must be vaccinated regardless of belief. Newsom’s demands, made in October of this year, are being cited as non-applicable. As Kevin Eckery, from the San Diego diocese stated, “ The list of required vaccinations can be expanded by the Governor and State (sic) health authorities, but if the list is expanded without legislative approval, the law requires that any mandate include a medical exemption and a personal belief exemption.” In other words, Newsom alone, in his executive role, cannot make decrees without further approval from the legislature.
All of this is not to say that the Catholic dioceses and the parochial schools are “anti-vax”. The schools themselves promote healthy COVID safety measures for the benefit of their staff, parents, and most importantly attending students. However, young children are statistically the least vulnerable and most resilient to the virus. As stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, “It appears that severe illness due to COVID-19 is uncommon among children”. The shutting down of schools resulting in a lack of social interaction and education are proving to be dangerous to students. Such things result in higher rate of anxiety and depression, both of which are contributing causes of suicide. Parents have a “sacred-right” to protect and rear their children, which includes making health decisions for them.
Projection is unlikely that the legislature will vote to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of mandatory vaccines. This would make Newsom unlikely to get his way. Newsom’s office made a statement saying, “Vaccines are how we end this pandemic, and we’re treating the COVID-19 vaccine just like other vaccines that students are required to get to go to school,” a statement wholly untrue as statements like “If you’re vaccinated, you won’t get COVID-19”, a statement from President Biden, has been labeled “misinformation” and even removed from some sites.
Photo Cred: AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi
