State Senator Gregg Schmedes Discourages Vaccinations and Masking
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary
We are advised to consult our doctor if we have concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccination. But what if your doctor is a politician who promotes misleading information about vaccines and masking?
What if your doctor advocates not vaccinations but herd immunity as the preferred method for dealing with the pandemic?
What if your doctor is NM District 19 Senator Gregg Schmedes?
If you live in Sandoval County, this ear, nose, and throat surgeon may be (mis)representing you in the state senate.
Schmedes is practiced at prescribing half-truths for his constituents. He objected to a state mask mandate for unvaccinated students and staff. As he told the Santa Fe New Mexican in August, he believes in “’focused protection’- a combination of targeted vaccinations and allowing those who are at minimal risk of death building immunity through infection – to reach herd immunity.” including 16,000 cases among children under 10.
COVID-19 is perplexing and unpredictable. While certain conditions increase a person’s risk of dying from the virus, those apparently in good health, both young and old, also die of this disease.
Schmedes’ approach means finding it acceptable to have more unvaccinated people transmitting COVID-19 to high-risk adults and children who are not vaccinated.
Schmedes’ approach means accepting an even more unconscionable number of deaths than we have now.
Schmedes’ approach means increasing the likelihood of spawning new variants that may not respond to today’s vaccines.
Schmedes won’t explicitly advise you not to get vaccinated. Instead, his social media posts are littered with his own pronouncements and references to studies intended to cast doubt on the most effective precautions— vaccinations and masking.
A closer look at several of Schmedes’ sources reveals that what he is claiming about them is often incomplete and misleading.
Misinformation provided under the guise of medical authority is particularly malignant. We all will benefit if Schmedes and his Republican colleagues put pseudoscience aside and work in the best interest of Sandoval County and all of New Mexico.
With COVID-19 rates rising for children, this is a particularly irresponsible position. As of September 20, there were nearly 50,000 reported cases of COVID-19 for New Mexicans under the age of 19, including 16,000 cases among children under 10.
COVID-19 is perplexing and unpredictable. While certain conditions increase a person’s risk of dying from the virus, those apparently in good health, both young and old, also die of this disease.
Schmedes’ approach means finding it acceptable to have more unvaccinated people transmitting COVID-19 to high-risk adults and children who are not vaccinated.
Schmedes’ approach means accepting an even more unconscionable number of deaths than we have now.
Schmedes’ approach means increasing the likelihood of spawning new variants that may not respond to today’s vaccines.
Schmedes won’t explicitly advise you not to get vaccinated. Instead, his social media posts are littered with his own pronouncements and references to studies intended to cast doubt on the most effective precautions – vaccinations and masking.
A closer look at several of Schmedes’ sources reveals that what he is claiming about them is often incomplete and misleading.
Misinformation provided under the guise of medical authority is particularly malignant. We all will benefit if Schmedes and his Republican colleagues put pseudoscience aside and work in the best interest of Sandoval County and all of New Mexico.