JUNE 11, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A19
Thatcher bill calls
for prohibition on
'vaccine passports'
The King's Speech is one of numerous works by artist Larry Gross now on display at the Keizer
Civic Center. The pieces will be on display through July.
Photo by ERIC A. HOWALD of Keizertimes
Scripture-inspired art on
display at civic center
Artist Larry Gross is the featured
creator at the Keizer Civic Center this
month.
Gross’s artwork features liturgical
and ecclesiastical themes. He is a past
recipient of the Oregon Art Educator
of the Year award in Oregon, the
Sacred Art Society Award in visual art
and served as an artist-in-residence
award from Trinity Lutheran Church in
Portland.
The show will continue through July.
Speed Bump By DAVE COVERLY
By ERIC A. HOWALD
The Oregonian continued, “and is insult-
ing after months of ignoring the needs
Of the Keizertimes
State Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, is and safety of the people who put food on
seeking to cement a ban on “vaccine pass- our tables. Oregon’s essential employees
ports” with introduction of a new bill.
deserve better than they are getting from
On Thursday, June 3, Thatcher intro- their government.”
duced Senate Bill 872. The bill would
On Friday, June 4, Brown announced
prohibit public and private entities from that state officials will lift most pan-
demic-related
restrictions
denying services based on
and fully reopen the econ-
COVID-19 vaccination status.
omy after 70% of state resi-
Thatcher
called
Gov.
dents have received at least
Kate Brown’s guidelines that
one dose of the COVID-19
require businesses to check
vaccination.
customer’s vaccination status
“It will remain incredibly
a “scheme,” in a press release.
important for Oregonians
“No Oregonian should have
to continue making smart
to divulge medical informa-
tion to participate in everyday
choices,” said Brown in a
life. This bill is about mak-
press release. “This has really
Thatcher
ing clear Oregonians’ rights,
become a tale of two pandem-
ics. If you are vaccinated, then
which have been railroaded
by the Governor during the pandemic,” you’re safe, you can carry on safely with-
out wearing a mask and social distancing.
Thatcher said.
Thatcher included results from a sur- If you are not vaccinated, this virus still
vey conducted by the Medford Chamber poses a very real threat.”
of Commerce and an out-of-context state-
More than 100,00 state residents still
ment from a union group as evidence of need to receive their first dose of the vac-
cine before Brown’s plan to ease restric-
support for the new bill.
“A spokesperson for UFCW Local 555, tions is triggered.
Thatcher’s bill contesting mandates
which represents grocery store workers,
said, “Telling essential employees to be the for people to have their vaccine status
mask police and asking customers for their checked had its first reading Monday, June
medical information puts them in harm’s 7, and was referred to the desk of Senate
President Peter Courtney for further
way…,” the press release states.
The full statement, which appeared in consideration.