Repost from Biz Pac Review.
irginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin has announced he will not stop local mandates for masks and vaccines in schools and businesses after reportedly vowing to roll them back during his run for office against Democrat contender Terry McAuliffe.
“Localities are going to have to make decisions the way the law works, and that is going to be up to individual decisions. But, again, from the governor’s office, you won’t see mandates from me,” Youngkin stated in an interview this weekend, according to TV station WRIC.
Youngkin’s stance is a break from other conservative Republican governors such as Ron DeSantis in Florida and Greg Abbott in Texas. Both of those governors have issued executive orders that block local governments from issuing any COVID mandates. Many on the right are now calling Youngkin a RINO and a sellout for the move.
It should be noted that, despite being described as an “anti-vaxxer” by critics while campaigning, Youngkin called himself a “staunch supporter” of the vaccine.
“I’ve gotten the vaccine; my family has gotten the vaccine. It’s the best way for people to keep themselves safe. And I, in fact, have asked everyone in Virginia to please get the vaccine. But I don’t think we should mandate it,” Youngkin remarked during a debate in September, CNN reported.