On Wednesday, December 15, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee issued new executive orders requiring businesses and venues to require its staff and patrons to show proof of COVID vaccination or wear a mask. (see the press release below).This measure is another step in the limitation of our civil liberties. The actions taken are that of a dictatorial edict which has no place in a Democracy. Under the current precedence a state of emergency will remain in effect indefinitely further restricting liberties as Governor Daniel McKee sees fit. These mandates are unconstitutional and unacceptable and we the people of Rhode Island must move to abolish the restrictions and mandates as listed.

1.End the state of emergency: A State of emergency needs to be corroborated by the state legislature. The governor of Rhode Island has exceeded the limitations of the law under his oath of office.

2. Abolish the mandate of Covid-19 vaccine requirement for participation in society: All evidence has shown that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can contract and transmit COVID -19.  Receiving a vaccine should be an individual's decision, and should not be mandated by a government body. We move to have any and all restrictions removed to interact in commerce, receive healthcare or attend schools based on vaccination status.

3. Abolish the mandate of masking. We move to abolish this restriction and leave the decision of mask wearing to the individual.    The measure of mask mandate for one group and not another induces an absolute form of segregation between people as it takes on a political statement rather than a personal or public health measure and will cause significant division between people of the State of Rhode Island. Individuals must be allowed to make their own personal decision based on their own personal health requirements. 

Footnotes:

Directly from the governors website here: https://governor.ri.gov/press-releases/governor-mckee-announces-comprehensive-actions-address-covid-19-cases-and-alleviate

(Ref. intro) Governor McKee stated that “The Health and safety of Rhode Islanders must always be our top priority” but these mandates go directly against this.  While the mandates intend to curb the spread of COVID-19, they completely disregard everything else required for a healthy and safe life. These mandates will hurt our children, our mental health, our social lives, our relationships, our businesses, and even our physical health.  Similar measures have been implemented in New York City and California and the evidence has shown that not only are the measures ineffective in stopping COVID, but increase the negative side effects on our society.

(Ref.1,2,3) Since the onset of mandates imposed on people throughout RI and the United States in response to Covid-19, domestic violence has skyrocketed, violent crime is at an all-time high, drug overdoses are at an all- time high, and suicides are at an all-time high.  Imposing more mandates and requiring private citizens to “police” their employees, fellow co-workers, neighbors, and families will only make matters worse

(Ref. 1) The legislation has not approved nor extended any state of emergency. The original state of emergency ended In July of 2021 and cannot be extended by a governor alone. Under the current precedence a state of emergency will remain in effect indefinitely further restricting liberties as the governor will see fit. This is not how we are to be governed as a people in our democracy. Elected officials were voted into office by the people to be public servants, dictatorial decree is unacceptable . We move to end this illegal state of emergency and restore commerce to the state of Rhode Island 

(Ref. 1,2,3) Personal liberties are of paramount importance. To suspend them temporarily and in some cases indefinitely will result in a more restrictive form of government. We are a nation of laws and Rhode Island has the duty to uphold its laws for the liberty of its people. When the law is abandoned the law is no longer effective to protect even those who believe they have a righteous cause. We must realize this as Rhode Islanders guard our freedoms and live by the rule of law.