Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has declared that the COVID-19 emergency is “over” and at this point, it’s unvaccinated people’s “own darn fault” if they become infected with the CCP virus.
“Those who get sick, it’s almost entirely their own darn fault,” he said. “I don’t want to say that nobody [will get the CCP virus if they are] vaccinated, but it’s very rare.”
The governor also said he'll leave masking mandates up to individual counties and municipalities.
“Just to put it in perspective, of the about 1,400 people hospitalized, less than 200 (or 16 percent) are vaccinated,” Polis said. “And many of them are older or have other conditions. Eighty-four percent of the people in our hospitals are unvaccinated, and they absolutely had every chance to get vaccinated.
“I still encourage everybody who hasn’t been vaccinated to get protected. And for those who are, make sure to get that booster after six months. The data [show] it’s important and very likely even more so with this Omicron variant.
“The emergency is over. You don’t tell people to wear a jacket when they go out in winter and force them to [wear it]. If they get frostbite, it’s their own darn fault.”
For those who “haven’t been vaccinated, that’s your choice,” he said.
“I respect that,” Polis said. “But it’s your fault when you’re in the hospital with COVID.”
The governor’s comments come after new restrictions were implemented in several Denver-area counties, including one that mandates businesses to require masks indoors or to require customers to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, issued an order that would require masks or proof of vaccination inside all businesses, which started on Dec. 13.