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A wild legal argument in front of the Utah Supreme Court aimed to force Gov. Spencer Cox to block any requirement for COVID-related mask-wearing or other prevention measures. The legal action stems from, among other things, a Utahn not being able to shop at a video game store because they refused to wear a mask.
The legal claim asked for a “writ of mandamus,” a rarely-used order from a court to a government official to fulfill their official duties. The legal pleading says Cox is not living up to his oath of office, specifically to support, obey and defend the U.S. and Utah Constitutions. Specifically, it’s alleged the civil liberties of Utahns are being violated, and Cox is not stopping the abuse.
The litany of rights that they claim are under attack is numerous. They’re spelled out in great detail in several affidavits that accompany the complaint.
One family member has numerous medical problems, including congestive heart failure and severe asthma, which has caused them to pass out from wearing a mask.
Masks restrict the “ability to adequately breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide and other bodily wastes.”
A car accident left one family member with PTSD, which is exacerbated by having to wear a mask.
Being forced to wait in the car when they take pets to the veterinarian for a check-up.
One graduated from high school in 2020. The celebration was taken away from them “without regard for the law.”\
Having their temperature taken for a dentist appointment is forced participation in a medical program without consent.
Workers at a GameStop refused to let them purchase anything because they weren’t wearing a mask.
There are several complaints and lots of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. One family member dropped their longtime doctor as they repeatedly urged them to get the vaccine. Another relative is on the verge of losing their job as a fertility nurse for refusing the vaccine, despite her having “proof of the vaccine causing sterility.”
One party in the complaint reached out to Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, who was the first to use hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19. Zelenko helped their minor children get a medical exemption from wearing masks in schools so they could “breathe the fresh air of Liberty.” But, that exemption only led to more discrimination, as their children were the only ones in school without masks.
They asked the court to order Cox to uphold the Constitution of Utah and task Attorney General Sean Reyes to “immediately cease” Utah citizens from being compelled to participate in healthcare data collection, healthcare services, or provide health-related information.
Unsurprisingly, the request was dismissed earlier this week without comment.