Tag Archives: anti-mask

HB 2201: Nihilism as a guiding principle

06 Thursday Jan 2022

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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No progress. No honor. No truth.

In the Missouri House.

A bill, introduced on January 5th:

HB 2201
Modifies provisions relating to COVID-19 liability
Sponsor: Sander, Chris (033)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2022
LR Number: 4773H.01I
Last Action: 01/05/2022 – Introduced and Read First Time (H)
Bill String: HB 2201
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: HOUSE BILLS FOR SECOND READING

The current statutes, which were effective on August 28, 2021, provide immunity from liability for exposure of an individual to COVID-19:

RSMo § 537.1005. COVID-19 exposure, immunity from liability, when — assumption of risk, signage — no third-party liability, exceptions. — 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, and except as otherwise provided in this section, no individual or entity engaged in businesses, services, activities, or accommodations shall be liable in any COVID-19 exposure action unless the plaintiff can prove by clear and convincing evidence [….]

RSMo § 537.1010. Health care providers, immunity from liability, exceptions. — 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, and except as provided in subsection 2 of this section, no health care provider shall be liable in a COVID-19 medical liability action unless the plaintiff can prove [….]

RSMo § 537.1015. Covered products, no COVID-19 products liability, when — evidence required for liability — inapplicability, when. — 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, and except as otherwise provided in this section, no individual or entity who designs, manufactures, imports, distributes, labels, packages, leases, sells, or donates a covered product shall be liable in a COVID-19 products liability action if the individual or entity [….]

HB 2201 [pdf] adds sections which would reinstate liability for each of the three existing statutes:

[….] The provisions of this section shall not apply to any individual or entity or religious organization that has a COVID-19 mandate. A mandate may include, but is not limited to, requiring a person to:
(1) Be vaccinated;
(2) Wear a facial covering or mask; or
(3) Socially distance himself or herself from others. [….]

[….] The provisions of this section shall not apply to a health care provider with a COVID-19 mandate. A mandate may include, but is not limited to, requiring a person to:
(1) Be vaccinated;
(2) Wear a facial covering or mask; or
(3) Socially distance himself or herself from others. [….]

[….] The provisions of this section shall not apply to an individual or entity that has a COVID-19 mandate. A mandate may include, but is not limited to, requiring a person to:
(1) Be vaccinated;
(2) Wear a facial covering or mask; or
(3) Socially distance himself or herself from others. [….]

That is, COVID-19 liability protections which were extended to various entities in the last legislative session would be removed if these entities require vaccines, masks, or social distancing.

“…not limited to…”

This way lies madness.

Raise your hand if you’d like your surgeon to wash their hands and wear a mask.

The bill sponsor:

Representative Chris Sander, a Republican, represents parts of Cass, Jackson, and Lafayette counties (District 33) in the Missouri House of Representatives.

In addition to his legislative duties, Sander is the founder and owner of Powder Monkey FIREWORKS, Inc. in Weldon Spring.

He graduated from Hazelwood West High School, and received his Bachelors of Science in business administration from the University of Missouri in 2005. [….]

A certain irony there.

Previously:

HB 2111: WTF? (December 30, 2021)

We’re still waiting…

31 Friday Dec 2021

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They asked, so did we.

– Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s (r) anti-mask public school complaint email address: illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov

On December 9, 2021 we asked the office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r) via a RSMo § 610 (Missouri Sunshine Law) request for the submitted contents of the illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov email address set up by the Attorney General to solicit complaints about mask wearing in Missouri public schools.

Our original request:

[….] Under RSMo § 610 I am requesting the following from your office:

All emails and attachments submitted to the email address – illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov [….]

The response from the office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r), on December 14, 2021:

[….] Due to the dates and the volume of records to be searched, the earliest we expect responsive records, if any, to be available is December 23, 2021. In the event they are available earlier, we will provide them as soon as they are available. [….]

We gave it another week. Yesterday, we asked for an update:

December 9, 2021 – Missouri Sunshine Law Request
Michael Bersin [….] Thu, Dec 30, 2021 at 1:25 PM
To: [….]@ago.mo.gov

[….]

This is to inquire about the status of my Missouri Sunshine Law Request submitted to your office on December 9, 2021. Please advise.

Michael Bersin
[….]

We’re still waiting.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

So far the absence of alacrity from the office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r) to our RSMo § 610 (Missouri Sunshine Law) request is…disturbing.

Previously:

A simple request (December 9, 2021)

We get a response (December 14, 2021)

If you close your eyes really tight, put your fingers in your ears, and hold your breath it will all go away

30 Thursday Dec 2021

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He can’t be that stupid. Well, yes he is.

Mike Parson (r) [2019 file photo].

Today:

GOVERNOR PARSON ANNOUNCES COVID-19 RELATED STATE OF EMERGENCY TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31

Press Release
DECEMBER 30, 2021
JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri’s COVID-19 related State of Emergency will expire and not be renewed on December 31, 2021. Governor Parson first issued an Executive Order (EO) declaring a State of Emergency existed due to COVID-19 on March 13, 2020.

“Thanks to the effectiveness of the vaccine, widespread efforts to mitigate the virus, and our committed health care professionals, past needs to continue the state of emergency are no longer present,” Governor Parson said. “Over the last 22 months, we have coordinated with local, state, and private partners to mitigate COVID-19 and work towards returning to normalcy. We all now know how to best fight and prevent serious illness from this virus. The State stands ready to provide assistance and response, but there is no longer a need for a state of emergency.”

Governor Parson extended the COVID-19 related State of Emergency five times before issuing a final targeted executive order for health care needs in August 2021. Currently, only three of Missouri’s border states and 20 other states in the nation have state of emergencies related to COVID-19 in place.

At one time, nearly 600 statutory and regulatory waivers were approved across Missouri state government. Since that peak, waivers have reduced by nearly 80 percent. All remaining COVID-19 related waivers authorized under EO 21-09 will terminate on December 31, 2021.

Agencies, boards, commissions, and departments are able to pursue rulemaking if permanent changes to regulations are needed after December 31 to improve long-term outcomes for Missourians, health care facilitates, and businesses. The General Assembly can also make any needed policy changes when they return for the 2022 legislative session on January 5.

The state has communicated to its health care partners that there will be flexibility during a transitional period to fully resume pre-pandemic operations.

With the expiration of EO 21-09, the Missouri National Guard will no longer be activated for COVID-19 related missions.

“In Missouri, we never had mandates or forced lockdowns,” Governor Parson said. “The main focus of our state of emergency was to provide regulatory flexibility to support and assist Missourians, health care facilities, and businesses and coordinate a COVID-19 response that saved lives and livelihoods. We encourage all Missourians to consider COVID-19 vaccination and to stay diligent, but we can work together to fight COVID-19 while living our normal lives. It is time to take this final step and move forward as a state.”

The best method to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 is vaccination, and more and more Missourians continue choosing to get primary and booster vaccinations. In the month of December alone, more than 565,000 doses of vaccine were administered and 42 percent were part of a primary vaccine series.

Nearly 94 percent of Missourians 65 and older, the most vulnerable, have received at least one dose. More than 73 percent of Missourians 18 and older and over 62 percent of all Missourians have chosen to initiate vaccination.

From the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS):

53.7%. And only 1,078,450 booster doses administered in Missouri.

What could possibly go wrong?

Can you get a COVID-19 home test or PCR test right now? Are you thinking it might not be a good time in Missouri to suffer a stroke or heart attack, or get injured in an accident?

Never an original thought

21 Tuesday Dec 2021

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Vicky Hartzler (r) [2021 file photo].

Yesterday, the right wingnut talking point:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler
@RepHartzler
Biden pledged “unity” in January.

He has only created division, chaos, and crises.
[….]
2:11 PM · Dec 20, 2021

Some of the responses:

Remind me when did he invite a mob to attack the congress?

You left out the next bit of the quote “So, our message to every American is clear: There is action you can take to protect yourself and your family. Wear a mask in public indoor settings. Get vaccinated, get your kids vaccinated, and get a booster shot when you’re eligible.”

Didn’t you vote to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Congress?

And where is the sweet light of cooperation from you?

Sound of crickets.

Thanks so much for this remarkably helpful tweet. I’m sure that your constituents are thrilled to see efforts like this.

We’re pretty certain that’s supposed to be sarcasm.

Who do you think is paying for the surges in intensive hospital care that seem to be most acute in heavy conservative districts for some, inexplicable, reason?

And what, pray tell, are *you* doing by tweeting this? What are *you* doing to make things better? By the looks of your Twitter account…not much.

How do you bargain with people who try to kill you, planning to overthrow the government and define unity as ‘you do what I want while I obstruct what you want.’

Good points.

I don’t think telling the truth counts as creating division.

And what have you done for unity? I hear crickets.

Sound of crickets.

Only the @gop and folks could use the concept of and word “unity” to divide the nation so sadistically. It’s gaslighting over governing

The call is coming from inside the house.

We see what you did there.

He’s telling the truth. If you think that’s divisive or chaotic, that’s on you.

At what point in your life did you decide integrity and honor were traits you had no use for? Or did you simply never have any?

What are you doing to help…. I’ll wait.

…said the anchor tied around our ankles.

This is going really well for you. Care to double down? For laughs

Look in a damn mirror. You don’t care about unity. You are actively chiseling at the divide.

Previously:

Science is hard (December 20, 2021)

He really is that stupid…and evil (December 21, 2021)

“…We’d better get back ’cause it’ll be dark soon and they mostly come at night. Mostly.”

21 Tuesday Dec 2021

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Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s (r) latest existential night terrors:

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
For many this is the desired outcome of perpetual fearmongering and emergency orders. #nolockdown
[….]
9:50 PM · Dec 20, 2021

Anyone think he sent this from under his bed?

Almost everyone else:

Some of the responses to Eric Schmitt (r) on Twitter::

I bet Todd Akin is thrilled that he found a replacement in Missouri. Someone else who bases their decisions on legitimate science. Many thanks Eric!

Yeah. Because doing nothing is working great.
[….]

No one wants to be locked down Eric, period. As for giving folks money, if we had done what other developed countries of the world did for their citizens, (it’s always a crisis w/the GQP, why is that?) this “inflation crisis” wouldn’t be so bad. So pick an outrage would you.

Science holds no emotions

Or political position

Looks like it’s still “We’re worried that too many poor people will live through this.”

For others, the dream of a million American dead seems within reach.

Can’t wait for Republican Missouri Gov Parson and AG Eric Schmitt (running for US Senate) removing covid protections (including school districts) to take down the KC Chiefs riddled with covid in the NFL Playoffs. Only a matter of time…..Western MO voting get the popcorn.
[….]

That’s what B.1.1.529 can do.

Actually the desired outcome is defeat the virus but when political hacks block scientifically proven methods THEY force a situation where lockdown becomes the only method left. Don’t complain about solutions to a problem YOU created.

That’s sarcasm. No one is asking for a shut down. Jist responsibility and caring about others who might not be as fortunate as you with their health. But you’ve proven that doesn’t matter. Immunity compromised people be damned! Says Eric & his crew.

The world the rest of us have to live in:

Science is hard

20 Monday Dec 2021

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Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Late last night from insistent anti-science vandal and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r):

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
So much “unity.”
[….]
10:23 PM · Dec 19, 2021

Too cute. If 806,435 Americans and 15,739 Missourians hadn’t already died in this pandemic.

Some of the responses:

You should give out blankets laced with covid as Christmas gifts. Build that herd immunity. Happy Holidays.

We see what you did there.

Yeah, that is messed up! What’s your plan to help the sick and the dying, both of Covid-19 and other things people need from the healthcare system?

The truth hurts, but it also sets you free. You want freedom to turn down vaccination, then live with the consequences. Unfortunately, the vaccinated have to also live with the consequences of no herd immunity, like crowded hospitals, burned out staff, etc. You’re not pro-life.

There’s been a free vaccine available for months. If you chose not to get it that’s on you

It’s called telling the truth. You should try it sometime.

Honesty. You should try it.

Context much, Eric?

Never.

You misspelled truth

Boy it sure sucks being a disease vector

And your plan is? Do nothing and let paragraph 2 happen. Good jobs Eric.

Do you need a safe space from facts, Eric?

You want a bedtime story, baby?

Facts don’t care about feelings.

Not about unity. It’s about being crystal clear that those being hospitalized, those dying, are primarily the unvaccinated. And as much as we’d love to spare them the pain and grief, as desperate as we are to spare our hospitals the overwhelm, they have to face reality.

You’re not pro life

You guys fucked it up. All this is because of the rhetoric you help spread

It’s in his nature.

You don’t want unity, you want to be fully vaccinated all the while encouraging people to push back on vaccinations and any mitigation efforts to stop Covid…all so you can win a primary. You’re a sad man.

So much unity…. I’m going to sue public schools and start protests for Senate votes… While my kid’s private schools mandate masks… Clown…

The pro hospitalization or death form Covid fool says what.

Like you give a shit about unity…

It’s a fact, not a judgement. You pushed for this. It is their blood you have on your hands.

While you protect yourself with vaccines and masks, and hide your children away in a school with a mask mandate, you fight to keep others without.

Death cult hypocrite is all you are.

The disrespect you have for healthcare workers is astonishing. What a punk.

Has nothing to do with unity clown. Just the facts. Sorry you suck at understanding facts.

Here we are.

7500 you say?

17 Friday Dec 2021

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Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Today:

Attorney General Eric Schmitt @AGEricSchmitt
ICYMI: We’ve received more than 7,500 emails from concerned parents. We’ve sent 52 cease and desist letters to school districts. We will continue to fight these mask mandates and quarantine orders and enforce the law.
[….]
3:53 PM · Dec 17, 2021

We can’t wait to read them all. We have an idea.

Some of the responses:

Don’t be fooled by the zealot. #MaskUpMO #COVID19
[….]

How many emails did you receive telling you to stop trying to endanger our children

We’ve been wondering about that, too.

Not the law. You are misinterpreting a ruling and endangering kids.

He doesn’t care.

Yes, bc that’s not a feckless waste of your time & state resources. Ensuring child, teachers, staff are open & ready to get sick.

Concerned of what exactly?

ICYMI: you’re a lunatic

Thank you for protecting our freedoms. For those individuals still afraid of the virus, they can continue to mask up, vaccinate, social distance, or whatever other measures they choose fit. For the majority that aren’t afraid, business as usual!

The postman always rings twice.

Previously:

A simple request (December 9, 2021)

Forget it Eric, you’re out of your element (December 11, 2021)

The Ghost of Pandemic Present (December 13, 2021)

We get a response (December 14, 2021)

God bless the citizens of the great state of Missouri (December 15, 2021)

Meaningless word salad (December 15, 2021)

Meaningless word salad

15 Wednesday Dec 2021

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What we’ve come to expect.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Today from Eric Schmitt(r):

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
Dislodging power from petty COVID tyrants who never should have had it in the first place is a fight for individual liberty & against a collectivist authoritarianism that seeks more power & control.

The tyrants & their allies are mad & their scare tactics will only intensify.
4:18 PM · Dec 15, 2021

Smearing shit against the wall just to see it on the wall.

Some of the responses:

Such big, empty words

Don’t you have work to do? Here you are, tweeting all damned day long, and Eric Greitens is calling donors so he can beat you in the primary. Leave the covid up to the health professionals and do your job as AG.

Or not.

Unhinged.

You are aware that covid cases are increasing in Missouri? You are also aware that many Missouri students are not vaccinated? Masks are the way to protect them at school.

Please don’t put people’s health at risk.
[….]

He doesn’t care. He has a ladder he wants to climb.

You are simply a despicable human and a disgrace to our state. Hope you’re proud of yourself and your attempt to bully people like your idol Trump. You can’t go away soon enough.

He is. He won’t.

Sigh.

Previously:

A simple request (December 9, 2021)

Forget it Eric, you’re out of your element (December 11, 2021)

The Ghost of Pandemic Present (December 13, 2021)

We get a response (December 14, 2021)

God bless the citizens of the great state of Missouri (December 15, 2021)

God bless the citizens of the great state of Missouri

15 Wednesday Dec 2021

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Every single one.

“…ATTENTION PARENTS – Missouri Attorney General asks parents for help in identifying school districts continuing to violate the Cole County order. We encourage parents to submit violations of mask mandates or other public health orders that are null and void under the judgement for further invistigation by the AGO. Email videos, pictures, or any other documentation related to this matter to illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov

Submit Media with Proper Lighting + Horizontal Orientation…”

Well, almost.

Wearing a mask.

An email submitted to Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s (r) public school anti-mask complaint email address – illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov:

From: [….]
Date: Sat, Dec 11, 2021, 00:22
Subject: Report
To: […]illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov[…]

Child wearing an illegal face covering. Excuse it was cold .

[….]

So much for “Horizontal Orientation”.

This was forwarded to us by the sender. We’ll probably have to wait until at least December 23rd to find out if there are other submissions like this one. We suspect there are quite a few.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

“What could possibly go wrong?” – probably not part of the conversation in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office when they dreamed up their anti-mask email “complaint” gimmick.

Previously:

A simple request (December 9, 2021)

Forget it Eric, you’re out of your element (December 11, 2021)

The Ghost of Pandemic Present (December 13, 2021)

We get a response (December 14, 2021)

We get a response

14 Tuesday Dec 2021

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Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

We received a response tonight from the office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r) to our December 9th RSMo § 610 “Missouri Sunshine Law” request for the contents of the illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov email address set up by the Attorney General to solicit complaints about mask wearing in Missouri public schools.

RSMo § 610.023. Records of governmental bodies to be in care of custodian, duties — records may be copied but not removed, exception, procedure — denial of access, procedure.
[….]
3. Each request for access to a public record shall be acted upon as soon as possible, but in no event later than the end of the third business day following the date the request is received by the custodian of records of a public governmental body. If records are requested in a certain format, the public body shall provide the records in the requested format, if such format is available. If access to the public record is not granted immediately, the custodian shall give a detailed explanation of the cause for further delay and the place and earliest time and date that the record will be available for inspection. This period for document production may exceed three days for reasonable cause.
[….]

Just in time.

They responded:

[….]
Bersin Sunshine Law Request
[….]@ago.mo.gov> Tue, Dec 14, 2021 at 8:23 PM
To: Michael Bersin [….]

Your records request was received by our custodian of records. Due to the dates and the volume of records to be searched, the earliest we expect responsive records, if any, to be available is December 23, 2021. In the event they are available earlier, we will provide them as soon as they are available.

Please note that we reserve the right to close responsive records in whole or in part pursuant to law, including but not limited to §§ 610.021 and 610.035 RSMo.

Thanks,
[….] This email message, including the attachments, is from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. It is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information, including that covered by § 32.057, RSMo. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Thank you.

This is going to be very interesting.

Previously:

A simple request (December 9, 2021)