ICYMI: Indiana ranks last on list of ‘Safest States During COVID-19’
Dr. Gabriel Bosslet: “I suspect we will surpass 2020’s COVID hospitalization numbers within a week” […] “As of today we have more Hoosiers with #COVID19 on ventilators (440) than any day since April 13, 2020 (the downslope of the initial surge).”
Eric Holcomb waited 274 days to hold statewide public briefing on COVID-19 pandemic
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today called on Governor Eric Holcomb to condemn the Indiana Republican Party’s effort to discredit the COVID-19 vaccine during his first (public) pandemic address in more than 274 days. The INGOP’s partisan effort includes House Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 114, proposed legislation which would further taint the life-saving vaccine, force businesses to pay for critical COVID testing, and add to Indiana being ranked as the most dangerous state to live during the pandemic. Holcomb must publicly oppose this partisan and dangerous legislation as Indiana hits the worst surge of the entire pandemic.
“Indiana Democrats pleaded with Republicans for months to implement an aggressive vaccine campaign this summer and fall – to no avail. Democrats called on Eric Holcomb to keep Hoosiers updated about the pandemic this summer – to no avail. Now, Indiana tragically finds itself amidst a surge that will kill hundreds of Hoosiers who chose to believe in the Republicans’ culture wars over the truth: the vaccine will save your life and is the only way out of COVID-19,” said Lauren Ganapini, executive director of the Indiana Democratic Party.
House Speaker Todd Huston views anti-vaccine House Bill 1001 as a “top priority” for the 2022 legislative session, and Indiana Republicans are ready to ignore opposition by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to get it signed into law. This – along with Republicans’ criticism of testing and vaccine requirements (despite supporting mandates in 2017) – continues the INGOP’s year-long attack on the vaccine which has led to abysmal state vaccination rates and more empty chairs at dinner tables across the Hoosier State.
Ganapini added, “Republicans made our state the most dangerous place to live during the pandemic, and they now plan to make Indiana the Wild West should they force House Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 114 through the statehouse this session. Only Eric Holcomb can put a stop to the GOP’s irrational behavior, but it’ll take a willingness to publicly buck his party and put his political future at risk to get it done. Leadership requires some tough calls, and it’s time for the Governor to do just that: be a leader. It’s time to put Hoosier lives and the truth ahead of partisanship.”
Indiana Democrats have done everything possible to help Hoosier families put COVID-19 in the rearview mirror. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, Hoosiers have every opportunity to get a vaccine and all 92 counties have received critical relief to make up for lost revenues. Democrats delivered and created this brighter future for families, but unfortunately, the Indiana Republican Party’s extreme partisanship is rooting against these once-in-a-generation investments and the opportunity for Hoosiers to move on from the pandemic.
Cause and Effect: The INGOP’s Partisan Agenda to Discredit the COVID-19 Vaccine
Cause: INGOP’s Partisan Effort to Discredit the Vaccine
IndyStar: Indiana lawmakers slip language prohibiting ‘vaccine passports’ into legislation
“In an eleventh hour move, lawmakers inserted language into an unrelated bill that would prohibit state and local units of governments from requiring “vaccination passports,” or requiring employees to prove they have received the COVID-19 vaccine.”
WFYI: AG Rokita: Indiana University COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Violates State Law
“Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita thinks an Indiana University policy that asks for proof of COVID-19 vaccination violates a new state law.
Rokita issued an advisory opinion on the issue Wednesday, prompted by requests from Republican lawmakers who oppose the university policy.”
WTHR: Gov. Holcomb announces opposition to federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate
“Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced his opposition to President Joe Biden’s federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Thursday, expressing support for a lawsuit challenging the federal government. […]
“Holcomb’s announcement came shortly after rules were finalized by the federal government requiring that tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or face weekly testing.” […]
“U.S. senators from Indiana, Mike Braun and Todd Young, have joined a group of dozens of senators using the Congressional Review Act to challenge the mandate.” […]
“Rokita also joined other attorneys general to file a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for federal contractors. He will soon file additional lawsuits against the two other federal vaccine mandates announced Thursday.”
Indiana Public Radio: House GOP’s top 2022 priority is stopping COVID-19 vaccine mandates
“Indiana House Republicans have revealed their top priority for the 2022 legislative session. The House GOP caucus’s 56 members signed on to a reintroduced bill that would effectively ban private companies from enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.”
IndyStar: “Lawmakers are starting to file bills for the 2022 session. Among the more interesting ones so far: a bill on vaccine status discrimination.”
Effect: Indiana Dangerous to Live During COVID-19
U.S. News and World Report: “States With the Worst COVID-19 Vaccination Rates”
Note: Indiana ranks Fifth
IndyStar: Indiana ranks last on list of ‘Safest States During COVID-19’
“About half of Indiana’s population remains unvaccinated against COVID-19, and the state’s largest hospital system is so strained they’ve asked the Indiana National Guard for assistance.
A new WalletHub report adds another dire distinction to the résumé: Indiana is the least safe state in the country during the pandemic.
It’s not one of the worst, or the worst in the Midwest — it’s the worst.
Indiana ranked 51 on the list of “Safest States During COVID-19” (which includes all 50 states and Washington, D.C.).”
Dr. Gabriel Bosslet: “I suspect we will surpass 2020’s COVID hospitalization numbers within a week” […] “As of today we have more Hoosiers with #COVID19 on ventilators (440) than any day since April 13, 2020 (the downslope of the initial surge).”
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