SC lawmakers push bill protecting freedom to choose whether to vaccinate by taking away choices
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – South Carolina lawmakers are trying to push a bill through the Senate dubbed the “Medical Freedom Act”.
The bill, which passed the state’s House of Representatives earlier this month would prohibit businesses, schools, non-profits, and employers from mandating its customers, students, visitors or employees from receiving gene-therapy or a novel vaccine, not approved by the Department of Public Health.
The bill defines a novel vaccine as a vaccine that hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, has been on the market for fewer than 10 years or was obtained using an Emergency Use Authorization.
For Spartanburg-based small-business owner Hugo Montanez, the owner of Burgär and of Burrito Hub, the freedom to choose is something he loves.
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“Just like we did with COVID-19, everybody will take risks or no risks and decide for themselves [what’s best],” said Montanez.
Montanez opened Burgär in 2021, when many small-businesses were shuttering their doors because of social-distancing.
He said he struggled to pay rent for Burrito Hub, which opened in 2018, for the first three months following the World Health Organization declaring SARS-CoV-2 a global health pandemic.
“It really made me see how life can go from [up to down], said Montanez. But he said he made a gamble- a personal choice in his eyes- and it paid off, proudly exclaiming his businesses are profitable.
It’s a big reason he supports the passage of the Medical Freedom Act.
“I mean the only way we can achieve [personal success and harmony with others] is if we move forward, instead of moving backwards and trying to [mandate novel vaccines],” said Montanez.
According to the bill, a first-time violation would count as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and or a maximum of a year in prison. A second violation results in up to a $2,500 fine and or up to 3 years in prison. A third violation results in a felony charge, punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and or a maximum of 5 years in prison.
However, Jasmine Williams, a physician student at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and a mom who believes everyone should have the right to choose what is best for themselves, said knowing if restaurant workers are vaccinated against contagious diseases would make her feel at ease when eating out.
“The restaurants I think should alert the public or make that information knowledgeable to the public so the public can make their own decision as to whether they want to take the risk,” said Williams.
Despite that thought, she said if people aren’t comfortable taking the chance at eating out, there is also outdoor dining and the option of cooking food at home.
“I feel like it’s my option whether I should take a vaccine or not [and that discussion should happen between me and my healthcare provider],” said Williams.
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