To the editor:
When can we all be free and normal again?
Not any “ New Normal. “ Not anything created by those who have used fear and misunderstanding to create division and brokenness. Illegal, unconstitutional mandates used by Governor Scott and enforced by AG Donovan to crush Vermont Businesses and families. Interrogating children to punish their families. Who you can have in your home and when. How to run your Business. Who is essential and who doesn’t matter. Not one State employee has missed a paycheck, no matter if they worked or not. But you have, your friends and family have and businesses have been damaged or destroyed because of it.
Some very brave people have stood up and made themselves targets. Michael Desautels [Newport Store owner] is in the fight of his life against Donovan and Scott’s illegal mandates. Donovan couldn’t charge Michael with a crime because he hasn’t broken any law. So Donovan has charged Michael with Civil Violations. Despite the fact that not one employee, any family member, customer or vendor that has been to Mr. Desautels shop has tested positive for Covid – none – Donovan has charged Michael with endangering the public.
Michael had placed a sign in his store to inform the public the employees were not wearing masks. If they were uncomfortable with that please don’t come in. Pretty clear Michael was looking out for the public. Despite this being obvious to anyone capable of thought, a judge ruled against Michael and agreed with Donovan that Michael was endangering the public. Trying to force him and his employees to wear a mask.
The Northern State Correctional facility just a few miles away has forced every staff member and inmate to wear a mask for months now, in total lockdown. No exposure to the public. And they just had a massive outbreak of Covid positive tests. All of them wearing masks and they had a massive outbreak. How did that happen? At least 18 States have ended the lockdowns and mandates. NH state legislators have introduced a Bill protecting business owners from any government overreach. At what point will Scott and Donovan stop attacking Vermonters?
If you feel the need to wear a mask and stand on a dot, feel free to do so. Those of us who know you quarantine sick and vulnerable people, and don’t punish healthy people, want our lives back. That’s the definition of Normal.
Jim Sexton, Essex Junction