January, 1981
Crisfield Times
October, 1904
(PPE reader comments)
Anonymous said...The vaccination mandate issued by Worcester County in 1904 was a local mandate. Later vaccination mandates for polio, MMR and other illnesses were issued by County or State of Maryland. State and local governments have police powers so their mandates are legal. The United States Constitution forbids the federal government from having police powers. If Maryland or Worcester County wish to mandate vaccinations or masks or even red hats every Monday then that is perfectly legal.
Anonymous said...Regarding the reader's comments, it's difficult for me to equate medical actions to combat disease threatening the health of our citizens with police powers. I welcome help whether it's on the federal, state, or local level.
Anonymous said...The term "police powers" has nothing to do with local or state police forces or personnel. It simply means what a government can or cannot force one to do without legislative action. A state governor or local authority can compel cooperation with vaccine mandates in their locality without action from a state legislature. That is an example of a "police power".
Our federal government CAN mandate compliance with public health initiatives, mandates and rules IF Congress passes a law stating so. The executive branch cannot make up policy out of whole cloth unless it relates to laws already passed by Congress.
tk for PPE said...Appreciate our informed reader's "police powers" explanation.
January, 1898
Lexington Herald Leader (Lexington, Ky.)
September, 2008
Eastern Shore Post
The vaccination mandate issued by Worcester County in 1904 was a local mandate. Later vaccination mandates for polio, MMR and other illnesses were issued by County or State of Maryland. State and local governments have police powers so their mandates are legal. The United States Constitution forbids the federal government from having police powers. If Maryland or Worcester County wish to mandate vaccinations or masks or even red hats every Monday then that is perfectly legal.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the reader's comments, it's difficult for me to equate medical actions to combat disease threatening the health of our citizens with police powers. I welcome help whether it's on the federal, state, or local level.
ReplyDeleteThe term "police powers" has nothing to do with local or state police forces or personnel. It simply means what a government can or cannot force one to do without legislative action. A state governor or local authority can compel cooperation with vaccine mandates in their locality without action from a state legislature. That is an example of a "police power".
ReplyDeleteOur federal government CAN mandate compliance with public health initiatives, mandates and rules IF Congress passes a law stating so. The executive branch cannot make up policy out of whole cloth unless it relates to laws already passed by Congress.
Appreciate our informed reader's "police powers" explanation.
ReplyDelete