People and politicians continue to say that COVID shots are safe and effective, but Twila Brase, RN and president/co-founder of Minnesota-based Citizens' Council for Health Freedom, points out no one knows the long-term effects.
"It's a small amount of people that we know of so far that are getting significant adverse reactions – but we don't know what the long-term effects are," Brase tells AFN. "And no matter what that is, [it's] up to the choice of the individual whether they want to risk getting the virus or risk getting the vaccine."
Her concerns coincide with a televised announcement by the president recently that federal employees must be vaccinated – and that he also wants private sector workers to be vaccinated or tested regularly:
Biden: "… The Department of Labor is developing an emergency rule to require all employers with 100 or more employees that together employ over 80 million workers to ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated or show a negative test at least once a week. Some of the biggest companies are already requiring this."
Brase's response? "I think that the president doesn't … understand that just because something can potentially prevent you from getting very sick does not mean that the government can force you to take that," she says.
"This is not a vaccine," she continues. "This is not preventing anyone from actually getting the virus. So, we're really just talking about a medication here to reduce symptoms … and that is not the role of government."
Law firms including Liberty Counsel have said as much. Meanwhile, state attorneys general are challenging the mandate for private sector employees.
"If your employer asks you to roll up your sleeve and take the jab, they're not doing it because of the federal mandate – and don't let them tell you they are," Attorney General Dave Yost (R-Ohio) told "Washington Watch with Tony Perkins" on Thursday.
"Now, if it's their policy, that's a separate issue, but they're not doing it because they have to. And of course, I should mention that federal employees are under the control of the president. It's pretty well established that he has the ability to set terms and conditions of employment subject to certain limitations."
Citizens' Council for Health Freedom, through its COVID-related website PatientToolbox.org, offers information on how individuals can protect their rights, understand their options, and maintain control over treatment decisions.
