No ‘vaccine passports’ for Stanislaus County services after leaders pass resolution

Stanislaus County leaders passed a resolution Tuesday opposing any COVID-19 vaccination requirement for people using county facilities or services.

County supervisors added language to the resolution that affirmed the rights of individuals and families to make their own health decisions.

The board resolved that “families have the right to move freely in society.” But supervisors Channce Condit, Vito Chiesa and Mani Grewal made it clear they don’t want to infringe on businesses that may refuse customers who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The resolution applies in the county jurisdiction. It won’t stop the Gallo Center for the Arts from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination or negative lab test to attend shows and events.

County supervisors made a statement against “vaccine passports” that in some counties in California require proof of COVID vaccination to enter restaurants, gyms, bars and large indoor events. The Stanislaus resolution guarantees that people can access county services regardless of vaccination status.

Since August, a vocal group of people has attended county board meetings to speak against COVID vaccine mandates, mask requirements in schools and government “overreach”.

Another line of speakers dominated the time at Tuesday’s meeting, pushing the proceeding to almost five hours.

Some speakers asked the board to take a stand against a state order to mandate a COVID immunization for schoolchildren, even though the county does not oversee the pandemic requirements for public schools. Tuesday’s county resolution does not apply to schools.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s vaccination requirement for schoolchildren could take effect in July 2022 after full FDA approval of the child vaccine.

The original county resolution proposed for Tuesday’s agenda strictly guaranteed access to county services for residents regardless of vaccination status.

Supervisors Buck Condit and Terry Withrow proposed adding more to the resolution. Condit suggested additional wording that county residents must have every opportunity to conduct everyday business and that the county values patient privacy.

Withrow added a line that the board supports the rights of individuals to “direct their own health future”.

Withrow thanked the audience members for speaking their mind. “When we see you come and we have people show up, it gives me hope that we still have a chance,” Withrow said. “We are having a conversation. And that is what it is all about.”

Health orders coming from Sacramento have received some pushback in Stanislaus County.

Earlier this month, Scott Kuykendall, county superintendent of schools, said he would petition the state asking that COVID vaccinations be a recommendation for schoolchildren but not a requirement. A room full of people attending the meeting applauded his resolution.

Since Gov. Newsom issued an initial stay-home order in March 2020, county officials have often said local enforcement was up to the state.

The county’s COVID vaccination rate is below average for California. But 53 percent of voting-age adults from 18 to 49 years older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Stanislaus County, while 68 percent of adults age 50 to 64 and 72 percent seniors 65 and older are fully immunized.

Along with those fully vaccinated, an additional 46,307 county residents are partly vaccinated, according to county public health.

Keryn Whitlow, who supported the county resolution, suggested that school districts will lose enrollment if the state forces the vaccine on school kids.

“If they continue to mandate our schools, we are leaving,” Whitlow said. “We are leaving the school and possibly this county and the state.”