Act Now: Tell Your Lawmakers to Put A Stop to the Abuse of Power by the Marion County Public Health Department

The Chief Medical Officer's public health orders are hurting individuals and the businesses that serve them

Published: Sep 10, 2020

Our Stand

  • Indiana businesses that have chosen to honor their patrons’ privacy rights and constitutional rights — and to uphold anti-discriminatory practices by accommodating patrons who cannot wear masks — are being sanctioned by the Marion County Public Health Department.
  • The head of the health department, the chief medical officer, is appointed; as such, she is not accountable to voters. This has left her with unfettered powers and insulated from scrutiny, especially since COVID-19 was declared a public health emergency.
  • If the hospitalization rates and fatalities attributed to COVID-19 are falling in Indiana, why are our public health orders becoming more invasive?
  • Large numbers of scientists and doctors do not agree that mask wearing is beneficial for the public, and many believe that the health emergency is over. So doubling down on facial coverings and perpetuating extreme fear is unreasonable and an abuse of power.
  • To advance public health we need free-market solutions with robust debate, not edicts from public health officers.
  • Mandatory mask policies should end immediately, and the stranglehold on citizens and businesses should be lifted. Please click below to email and call Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Governor Holcomb, your Marion council members and your Indiana legislators. Indiana residents must demand better oversight of Marion County’s chief medical officer Dr. Virginia Caine and the emergency decrees she invokes.

Have A Question?

Over Labor Day weekend, the Marion County Public Health Department issued a new emergency order to go into effect at the open of business on September 8, 2020 — immediately following a holiday weekend. The order, Public Health Order 29-2020, asserts that it is vital to mitigating the pandemic. Like Order 25-2020, issued on July 24, 2020, it requires all individuals to wear a mask or face covering with several exceptions. This includes children under age 2; individuals with speaking and hearing impairments; individuals with other physical, medical or health-related reasons; and individuals experiencing homelessness, among others. However, the new order states that “many individuals who cannot wear a mask for health reasons can wear a plastic face shield and must do so whenever possible.”

The second paragraph of the order states, “All businesses and public accommodations that are open to the public must ensure that all staff, customers and/or visitors are complying with the requirements.” It went on to say that “Businesses that fail to enforce compliance … are subject to enforcement action.” The new order is part of an ongoing campaign to clamp down against those who violate increasingly rigid mask mandates. This includes individuals with conditions that preclude them from wearing a mask and the businesses those individuals frequent.

Indiana businesses that have chosen to honor their patrons’ privacy rights and constitutional rights — and to uphold anti-discriminatory practices by accommodating patrons who cannot wear masks — are being sanctioned. Many have been investigated, fined and warned; others have been shut down.

If the hospitalization rates and fatalities attributed to COVID-19 are falling in Indiana, why are our public health orders becoming more invasive? Why are community officials spreading fear of a virus that is not deadly for the vast majority of people, especially when the pandemonia and fear can be deadly (as evidenced by an exponential increases in suicide and skyrocketing cases of stress-induced heart conditions).

Why are individuals and businesses being forced to subscribe to a measure that many scientists and doctors do not agree is beneficial to the public, especially when many scientists and doctors believe that the health emergency is over? To be doubling down on facial coverings and perpetuating extreme fear is unreasonable and an abuse of power. Why are public health officials misleading the population into thinking that masks will protect them when the best defense against a virus is to get healthy? Public health orders mandating that businesses must turn away patrons who cannot mask (or choose not to mask) are discriminatory and an abuse of power. Moreover, there is no evidence that masks or face shields slow the spread of the coronavirus in asymptomatic individuals.

Perpetuating extreme fear of infectious disease by implementing measures that restrict and ultimately upend our day-to-day lives is unnecessary and unconstitutional. Using fear to control a population is a gross abuse of power — an abuse that should never be allowed to happen again. Natural health measures such as vitamin D, vitamin C, proper nutrition, exercise, fresh air and healthy emotions are proven ways to support immune health, yet officials are forcing unproven measures such as social distancing, masks and face shields. Why aren’t public health officials promoting true health? Healthy people are at little to no risk, so why not engage in public education and outreach campaigns designed to get people healthy?

Marion County’s public health orders have been criticized because they conflict with OSHA guidelines, which give employers discretion whether employees wear face coverings. Additionally, health centers, nutritional stores, gyms and other wellness businesses say they are being censored because compulsory mask-wearing indoctrinates fear instead of empowering individuals to engage in practices that strengthen their immune systems. This ultimately limits diversity in messaging on how individuals are able to care for themselves while diminishing the importance of herd immunity levels that have been mounting over the past six months.

To advance public health we need free-market solutions with robust debate, not edicts from public health officers. We have not seen indisputable evidence that masks prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19. We have actually seen an increase in cases in cities like Miami and Hong Kong despite mask-wearing and mask mandates. The same is true for areas such as California, Hawaii, Israel, Japan and South Korea. Shouldn’t it be incumbent on officials to first prove that masks work before issuing edicts — and punishments for not following those edicts?

Mandatory mask policies should end immediately, and the stranglehold on citizens and businesses should be lifted. Please click below to email and call Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Governor Holcomb, your Marion council members and your Indiana legislators. Let them know that Indiana residents demand better oversight of Marion County’s chief medical officer Dr. Virginia Caine and the emergency decrees she invokes. The chief medical officer is appointed and, as such, is not accountable to voters. This leaves her with unfettered powers and insulated from scrutiny. Public health officials have a duty to act reasonably and proportionately to all public health threats, especially a virus with an estimated 99.7% survival rate.


***When you “click to act,” you will be connected to your local councilor. However, please take the time to call the rest of the councilors below if you live, work or shop in Marion County. When they answer, ask them to institute better oversight of Marion County Public Health Department. Businesses should not be fined or closed for not complying with orders that 1) are not effective according to large numbers of doctors and 2) when many scientists and researchers believe that the health emergency is over. The virus has a 99.7% survival rate and the life cycle of the virus has leveled out.***

CLICK HERE FOR INDIANAPOLIS-MARION COUNTY CITY-COUNCIL CONTACT INFORMATION

INDIANAPOLIS-MARION COUNTY CITY-COUNCIL
ZACH ADAMSON (D), Vice President, 17 317-683-9224, zach@adomsonforindy.com LA KEISHA JACKSON (D), Vice President, 14 317-354-9283, lakeisha.jackson@indy.gov
PAUL ANNEE (R), 23 317-523-5056, Paul.AnneeD23@gmail.com BLAKE JOHNSON (D), 12 317-721-3487, blake.johnson@indy.gov
JOHN BARTH (D), 7 317-902-1453, john.barth@indy.gov KRISTIN JONES (D), 16 317-680-6869, Kristin.Jones@indy.gov
DAN BOOTS (D), 3 317-327-4242, Dan.Boots@indy.gov MAGGIE A. LEWIS (D), Majority Leader, 10 317-327-4242, maggie.lewis@indy.gov
ALISON (ALI) BROWN (D), 5 317-750-6955, Ali.Brown@indy.gov FRANK MASCARI (D), 21 317-788-0520, frank.mascari@indy.gov
CRISTA CARLINO (D), 6 317-374-6266, cristalee1986@gmail.com. Crista.Carlino@indy.gov JESSICA MCCORMICK (D), 15 317-449-9234, Jessica.McCormick@indy.gov
MICHAEL DILK (R), 24 317-698-3455, mike.dilk424@gmail.com BRIAN MOWERY (R), Minority Leader, 25 317-373-2890brian.mowery@indy.gov
ETHAN EVANS (D), 4 317-619-9534, ethan.evans2@indy.gov WILLIAM C. OLIVER (D), 9 317-201-6770, william.oliver@indy.gov
JARED EVANS (D), 22 317-270-7385, jared.evans@indy.gov VOP OSILI (D), President, 11 317-332-0877, Vop.Osili@indy.gov
KEITH GRAVES (D), 13 317-560-4554, kieth.graves@indy.gov KEITH POTTS (D), 2 317-659-0823, Keith.Potts@indy.gov
MONROE GRAY, JR. (D), 8 317-327-4242, monroe.gray@indy.gov DAVID RAY (D), 19 317-442-1574, david.ray@indy.gov
MICHAEL-PAUL HART (R), 18 317-327-4242, michael-paul.hart@indy.gov LEROY ROBINSON (D), 1 317-502-0272, leroy.robinson@indy.gov
JASON HOLLIDAY (R), 20 317-517-8118, jasonhollidayccc20@gmail.com FIND YOUR DISTRICT: https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/find-your-city-county-council-district

 

Jill Hines

Directory of Advocacy
A former banker turned homeschool mom, Jill Hines began researching alternatives to conventional medicine in 2010 and what she discovered changed the trajectory of her life. She corrected a worrisome health issue, and embraced a natural approach to wellness. Advocating for informed consent and parental rights became a full-time mission when she joined the board of the Georgia Coalition for Vaccine Choice and later became the co-director of Health Freedom Louisiana. Due to her advocacy efforts during the COVID crisis, Jill was one of 25 Louisianans selected by Central City News as “a hero of the constitutional crisis.” She was also presented the Impact Award for Outstanding Public Service from the government watchdog organization Citizens for a New Louisiana. Jill now represents hundreds of millions of Americans who experienced censorship due to the Biden administration's efforts to suppress disfavored speech as a plaintiff in the landmark lawsuit Missouri v. Biden. Jill holds a marketing degree from Louisiana Tech University and now passionately “sells” health freedom full-time. Serving as Stand for Health Freedom’s advocacy director provides an incredible opportunity to advance the growing movement to preserve the sacred right to refuse unwanted medical interventions for ourselves and our children without fear of retribution.
“We have lived through a terrifying societal, psychological, and medical experiment which afforded us a knowledge that our forefathers tried to impart and we can no longer ignore: Our freedom is tenuous. For our children’s sake, the time is now to take a stand for health freedom.”

Chrissy Scott

Executive Assistant and Social Media Manager

A labor and delivery nurse with a lifelong passion for maternal and fetal health, Chrissy Scott left her job of 19 years after learning the truth about the harms caused by the medical system. In 2009, she was mandated by her employer to receive the H1N1 vaccine during her first trimester of pregnancy with her second child. She was assured that the vaccine was “safe and effective” for pregnant women, but her son was born with a kidney defect that could have been fatal. She didn’t connect the dots to vaccine injury until several years later when the declining health of her oldest son drove her to seek answers outside of allopathic medicine.

This personal journey ignited in her a new passion for truth and transparency in health care. As SHF’s Executive Assistant, Chrissy facilitates communication and local advocacy initiatives alongside Leah Wilson for their home state of Indiana. She also manages and creates graphics for SHF’s social media accounts and the website’s swag shop.

Chrissy earned her nursing degree from Anderson University and served her entire career at her local hospital. While she’s no longer a floor nurse, her five very active boys frequently test her nursing skills! She homeschools her children and has been co-owner of a successful home décor sign business with her sister.

“Parents, being the experts on their own children, are best suited to make decisions for the well-being of their family. To do this properly, they must be given full and accurate information and be free from force or coercion.”

Ellen Chappelle

Writer/Editor

Ellen Chappelle serves as SHF’s resident wordsmith. A seasoned writer and editor, she’s enthusiastic about ensuring that our content is clear, concise, and inspiring.

Ellen is most energized by working on projects that transform lives. A truth seeker as well as a journalist, she’s disturbed by the lack of accuracy in today’s media and determined to help share fact rather than fiction. And having found greater healing with alternative approaches, she’s also passionate about preserving our freedom to make informed health choices.

Past projects include serving as regional editor of a dog magazine, color and trend specialist for a small cosmetics company, arts columnist, newspaper reporter, ghostwriter, and creator of website content for artists and small businesses.

With a degree in journalism and theatre, Ellen is also a performer. She enjoyed singing and dancing on a cruise ship and traveling with a national musical theatre tour, as well as recording industrial videos, television commercials, and radio voiceovers. She also creates handcrafted jewelry in wire, chain maille, and fused glass.

“Despite what some would have us believe, the fact remains that this nation was founded on biblical principles by people who wanted freedom to worship God and live their lives without government involvement. It’s never been more critical to fight for those rights.”

LEAH WILSON

Executive Director and Co-founder

An attorney with a background in complex litigation and advocacy, Leah Wilson is passionate about children’s health and has researched and worked on child welfare issues for more than a decade.

The overmedication of children in foster care as a form of behavior management is what compelled Leah to become an advocate and foster parent. During her time as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children, Leah witnessed the rampant use of psychiatric drugs among foster kids. She also discovered that, in addition to many extensive requirements, the state had a policy that all foster children and foster families be fully vaccinated, without exception. Through her involvement in law, health and the foster care system, it became abundantly clear to Leah that the single most important issue affecting child welfare in the United States is the practice of one-size-fits-all medicine via medical mandates. This motivated Leah to expand her advocacy beyond foster care to all children nationwide and to start Stand for Health Freedom (SHF) in 2019.

A graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Law, Leah holds dual bachelor degrees in political science and Spanish from Indiana University. In addition to her advocacy work with SHF, Leah is the owner and former operations director of MaxLiving Indy, one of the largest natural health centers in the Midwest. She is also an educator on holistic health as well as a sought-after speaker on issues ranging from religious rights to greening your home.

“Parental rights and religious freedom are God-given natural rights that cannot arbitrarily be taken away by government authorities. Parents are the single most important factor in a child’s success; I stand in full support of this sacred relationship.”

Sayer JI

Director and Co-founder

Sayer Ji is a widely recognized researcher, author, lecturer, activist, and educator on natural health modalities. Among his many roles, he is an advisor to Stand for Health Freedom, a reviewer and editor of the International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, an advisory board member of the National Health Federation, a steering committee member of the Global GMO Free Coalition, and the co-founder and CEO of Systome Biomed Inc., a revolutionary scientific validation framework.

Most notably, Sayer is the founder of Greenmedinfo.com, the world’s most widely referenced, evidence-based natural health resource of its kind. He founded the platform in 2008 to provide an open access, evidence-based resource supporting natural and integrative modalities. Today, Greenmedinfo.com has more than a million visits per month, serving as a trusted resource on myriad health and wellness topics to physicians, healthcare practitioners, clinicians, researchers and consumers worldwide.

Sayer attended Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where he studied under the notable American philosopher Dr. Bruce W. Wilshire. He received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 1995, with a focus on the philosophy of science. His new book, Regenerate: Unlocking Your Body’s Radical Resilience through the New Biology, was released in March 2020 and is an Amazon bestseller.

“I truly believe that education will be our greatest shield against accelerating the erosion of civil liberties, including the right to bodily sovereignty, as well as the greatest catalyst for positive change on this planet moving forward.”

Bailey Kuykendoll

Associate Director

Designer and visual marketer Bailey Kuykendoll began advocating for health and religious freedom and parental rights in 2014 after learning she was pregnant. A self-described skeptic, she’s not afraid to ask questions and do copious amounts of research to reach her own conclusions.

She’s also not afraid of hard work. As SHF’s Relationship Manager, Bailey truly keeps the organizational boat afloat. Working closely with health freedom advocates in each state, she ensures that SHF has campaigns for health-freedom-related bills and petitions on our website and across social media, spreading the word to encourage people to contact their legislators. She builds campaigns, graphics, website pages, and relationships.

Bailey earned a design degree from Harrington Institute of Design in 2008. She then served as a production assistant on several shows for HGTV, followed by working behind the scenes on the X Factor, small indie films, music videos, and documentaries. Bailey joined Health Freedom Florida after moving to the East Coast, becoming co-president of the grassroots organization in 2019. While at Health Freedom Florida, she successfully filed a state bill designed to stop discrimination based on your health status. She joined SHF in the fall of 2020.

“God placed a calling on my heart back in 2008 to be a part of something bigger for Him. Twelve years later, the opportunity came knocking to help others lean into their natural-born rights and take a stand for themselves and their families. I knew this is where I was called to be, and I have never looked back.”

Valerie Borek

POLICY ANALYST

Valerie Borek is a passionate advocate for health rights and family privacy. A mother of two with degrees in law and biochemistry, she is perfectly positioned to lead SHF advocates through complex health-rights policy. Her work is guided by a love for American values, uncovering truth, and a passion for empowering others. Valerie has served as SHF’s policy analyst since 2021.

Valerie’s understanding of the value of freedom to make one’s own health care choices is not just academic. Health freedom has kept her boys alive and thriving. Her choice to have home births jump-started her advocacy for health privacy. Her eldest son survived a rare and deadly cancer because her family was able to navigate medical care while holding onto values that were sometimes at odds with recommendations.

Before joining SHF, Valerie specialized in health and parenting rights at her boutique law firm, especially surrounding birth and vaccine rights. She advocated for informed consent in health care and transparent food labeling in her state. She helped found the Birth Rights Bar Association and was honored to present their argument to the Delaware Supreme Court that midwifery is not the practice of medicine, in support of a trailblazing midwife.

“Health is the foundation of how we show up in this world to love, serve, and create. Americans are blessed to live in a country that gets stronger the more we protect fundamental rights, like informed consent and privacy, so individuals and families can thrive.”

Mary Katherine LaCroix

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND NONPROFIT ADMINISTRATION

Mary Katherine LaCroix became involved with SHF as a volunteer in 2019 when the religious exemption for childhood vaccines was at risk in her home state of New Jersey. She believes strongly that parents have the responsibility for their children’s health, education, and faith formation and that only they have the right to make medical decisions and manage their care.

She has worked in fundraising for more than 25 years at various educational, cultural, human services, and political organizations. A graduate of the University of Scranton, she holds a degree in History and English Literature.

Mary Katherine is thrilled to have this opportunity to work with and help grow SHF, believing that together we can achieve even greater impact in protecting our rights and caring for our loved ones. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and large extended family, as well as volunteering to support the special needs community.

“Parents are taught that they must trust the experts. That’s what we did, until we learned that the experts can be wrong and don’t always know what is best for your child. Parents should instead feel empowered by their natural, God-given ability to advocate and care for their children. SHF is here to give them the tools to do just that.”

Sheila Ealey

Political Analyst

Dr. Sheila Lewis Ealey is the founder and former director of the Creative Learning Center of Louisiana, a therapeutic day school for children who are on the autism spectrum or struggling with other nonverbal intellectual disabilities. The wife of a former U.S. Coast Guard Officer, she is also the mother of four children. Her son was diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder at 18 months. He is now a young man and considered moderate and emerging.

Sheila and her twins were featured in the documentary “Vaxxed.” She has traveled extensively, advocating for medical freedom. She continues to educate disenfranchised parents about their fundamental rights to religious and philosophical exemptions, their ability to live sustainably on a limited budget, and the importance of nutrition and biomedical interventions for optimum health with autism. She also writes individual homeschool curriculums for parents of children with autism or intellectual disorders. Sheila is a trustee for the Autism Trust, USA, and on the board of directors of Children’s Health Defense.

Over the past 20 years, she has educated herself to use natural healing modalities for the body and brain. Her formal education includes degrees in communication, special education curriculum, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership in Special Education. Sheila serves as an assistant content advisor and political analyst for SHF.

“It is not the Constitution’s job to protect our liberties, as it is not a philosophical document but a legal one. Its purpose is to limit the powers and authority of our federal government in hopes of preventing an intrusion upon our unalienable rights. We are obliged to maintain our government within its limits.”

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