Analysis: State legislatures renew the push to roll back Covid-related public health measures

State legislatures renew the push to roll back Covid-related public health measures Under a new bill in Wyoming, you could get up to six months jail time for asking about a person’s vaccination status if that information is to be used to limit their access to public services. Nicholas Florko STAT

WASHINGTON — State legislators are mobilizing anew to roll back public health measures meant to contain the spread of Covid-19.

They are introducing bills in both liberal and conservative states that target measures like vaccine and mask requirements, which have become political lightning rods throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Several state lawmakers are also pushing legislation that would prevent hospitals and nursing homes from restricting visitors during outbreaks.

The legislative blitz comes on the heels of a similar push last year, when over half of U.S. states took some action to roll back public health powers, Kaiser Health News reported.

The bills fall into three buckets: restricting mask mandates, banning vaccine verification systems or vaccine mandates, and rejiggering hospital and nursing home visitation policies.

It’s unclear how many of these bills will actually become law, but many are already gaining political traction. ...