Missouri Division of Well being and Senior Providers Director nominee Don Kauerauf says he's towards masks and COVID vaccine mandates, however was protested towards Monday.
Anti-vaccination protestors pushed for state lawmakers to vote down Kauerauf's affirmation exterior of the state Capitol listening to room, in line with St. Louis Public Radio. There have been at the very least 100 protestors, The Related Press reported.
Senators questioned Kauerauf for nearly two hours about his views on curbing the unfold of COVID, his prior feedback about vaccination, and his stance on abortion. The blowback prompted Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) to place out an announcement defending Kauerauf after he was pushed within the Senate chamber the place 24 of 34 members are Republicans.
Whereas Kauerauf, the director of the Division of Well being and Senior Providers since September 2021, has repeatedly stated he's towards authorities masks or COVID vaccine mandates, he has additionally stated that Missouri's vaccination price is "atrocious" and he needs extra folks would get the vaccine, in line with the AP.
"There are people who disagree with vaccinations. I respect that. That's their option to make that. And I haven't got any issues with that in anyway," Kauerauf stated, the St. Louis Public Radio reported. "...I simply should go to mattress realizing that we did each try we might to supply them with factual info."
Kauerauf, whose appointment is topic to state Senate affirmation, instructed senators that he hopes for a vaccination price nearer to 75 % for eligible people, in line with the AP. At present, lower than 59 % of eligible Missouri residents, consisting of these age 5 and older, are absolutely vaccinated, state well being division knowledge exhibits.
Some protestors chanted when doorways have been opened to let folks out and in of the Senate Lounge, The Missouri Instances reported. Some held indicators that learn "God-given pure immunity" and "We're not guinea pigs," in line with the St. Louis Public Radio.
One protestor, Deborah Wiersma, of Pacific, Missouri, stated that she's involved Kauerauf and Gov. Mike Parson are advising testing, social distancing, masking, vaccinations regardless that they oppose mandates, the AP reported.
"I am towards all of it," she instructed AP.
Kauerauf repeatedly instructed senators that as a substitute of imposing vaccine or masks mandates and COVID rules, he needs to teach folks concerning the impacts of COVID and vaccines to extend the vaccination price, in line with The Missouri Instances.
Parson's assertion tried to clear up what he known as misinformation concerning Kauerauf's affirmation listening to.
"To set the document straight, Don is strongly pro-life and anti-abortion and towards authorities mandating masks sporting and COVID-19 vaccinations," Parson stated within the assertion. "These have been his views and beliefs once I appointed him, and so they stay as we speak."
Senators should approve Kauerauf's nomination by the tip of the week, the AP reported. If they do not, he'll be prevented from serving as well being director.
Kauerauf succeeded Randall Williams because the state's well being czar in September 2021, after Williams left with out publicly giving a cause, in line with the AP.
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