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‘Unconstitutional, anti-science’: Newsom signs bill that punishes CA doctors who question COVID vax safety

October 2, 2022 | | Print Article

California is one step closer to being a fully totalitarian state thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom, who signed into law AB 2098, a bill that punishes physicians and surgeons for “unprofessional conduct” should they dare question the safety or efficacy of COVID vaccines.

Under the new law, the Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California can now discipline doctors who deviate from the “approved COVID treatment consensus.”

“That sound you hear is it any sensible medical professional fleeing California,” wrote one user on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/KevinForBOS/status/1576028554344615937?s=20&t=h9fhG8qLAAl0FyeedDB3ag

In his signing statement, Newsom said, “Assembly Bill 2098 provides that the dissemination of misinformation or disinformation related to COVID-19 by physicians and surgeons to a patient under their direct care constitutes unprofessional conduct.”

“I am signing this bill because it is narrowly tailored to apply only to those egregious instances in which a licensee is acting with malicious intent or clearly deviating from the required standard of care while interacting directly with a patient under their care,” he explained.

Naturally, who it is that approves the “consensus” is unclear.

In June, Laura Powell, founder of Californians for Good Governance, called the bill “presumptively invalid,” according to the California Globe.

“There is no question that the bill is aimed at restricting speech based on its content,” she wrote in an opposition letter. “As such, it would be presumptively invalid and could only be upheld if the government could prove that the law is narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest.”

Under the legislation, “misinformation” is defined as “false information that is contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus contrary to the standard of care.”

The problem, of course, is that the “contemporary scientific consensus” has been repeatedly proven completely false and data on the vaccine is increasingly revealing potentially serious risks.

After the Delta variant swept the nation, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was forced to admit that natural immunity was more effective than the vaccine in preventing hospitalization.

And as Tucker Carlson noted, even Dr. Anthony Fauci has been serving the American people a steady diet of “misinformation” since the pandemic began.

Attorney Leigh Dundas, who protested against AB 2098, is concerned about the path the bill sets for America.

“Censorship and criminalization are not the bulwarks of a free society,” he told the Globe. “The stark reality is if we are to remain a Constitutional Republic, then doctors must remain free to practice medicine.”

“Science and medicine are constantly evolving by challenging the status quo,” he stated, adding that, if AB 2098 is allowed to stand, the press will be “next on the chopping block.”

Tech entrepreneur Steve Kirsch highlighted the absurdity of the bill when he addressed the protestors.

“I’m labeled a misinformation superspreader, but (Senator) Dr. Pan can’t silence me because I’m not a doctor,” he quipped.

“It’s unconstitutional and anti-science,” he said of the bill. “Tenure was created in universities to allow people to speak out without retribution. This is a special law targeted at misinformation for Covid-19, and that’s not science.”

Online, it is clear the signing of AB 2098 into law has served only to further erode what trust many have left in the medical “consensus” — exactly the opposite, one must assume, of its intent.

“If my Doctor believes the new booster is harmful to me or my kids, he is not allowed to tell me according to new California law (AB2098). He must by law follow the official narrative,” one user tweeted. “You can no longer trust CA doctors to tell the truth about the shot.”

“I do not consent for the government to be in the room with me and my doctor,” said another. “Every American should be afraid if CA Gov Newsom signs #AB2098.”

Even American Frontline Doctors spoke out against the bill ahead of its signing, stating it “threatens the quality of patient care, informed consent, and the doctor-patient relationship.”

Immunologist Dr. Matthew Bowdish called the signing of the bill “a sad day” for the state.

“What a sad day for California as Gov Newsom signs #AB2098,” he tweeted. “What is meant to help Californians fight misinformation will lead to physicians hesitating to have honest discussions w/our patients.”

“The State is so insecure with freedom of inquiry,” he observed, “that it has chosen autocracy.”

Melissa Fine
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