Writer: Cindy Waeltermann, written as an editorial for a Pennsylvania newspaper submitted to ATO Opinion Press Oct. 17 2009

It’s not even Halloween yet, and I’m scared, truly scared. Not of ghosts and goblins, but of a bill circulating in our House of Representatives, HB492, that under the guise of “Emergency Preparedness” gives our government the right to mandate examinations, vaccinations, quarantine, and if you don’t comply, they can seize your property, your assets, and force you into isolation.

Don’t believe it? I didn’t either. When Angela Short (thank you Angela) first brought this to my attention, my advice was “let’s look into this before we panic people.” So we waited, and we researched. What was found is truly disturbing. Check it out for yourself, right here on our PA Legislature’s website in black and white: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0492&pn=0544

Are you ready for this?? I’m certainly not; my body, my choice. This doesn’t have anything to do with the current vaccine/autism debate — it has to do with civil liberties. As I watch them consistently deplete, I am truly frightened. This bill gives our Government unprecedented powers. Take a look:

(a) Powers of public health authority.–The public health authority may, for such period as the state of public health emergency exists, compel a person to be vaccinated or treated, or both, for an infectious disease subject to the following provisions:

(1) Vaccination may be performed by any qualified person authorized by the public health authority.
(2) A vaccine may not be given if the public health authority has reason to know that a particular individual is likely to suffer serious harm from the vaccination.
(3) Treatment may be performed by any qualified person authorized by the public health authority.
(4) Treatment must not be such as is reasonably likely to lead to serious harm to the affected individual.
(b) Refusal.–If, by reason of refusal of vaccination or treatment, the person poses a danger to the public health, the person may be isolated or quarantined pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(c) Enforcement.–An order of the public health authority given to effectuate the purposes of this section shall be immediately enforceable by any peace officer.
(d) Penalty.–A person who fails to comply with this section commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.

In the event that the Governor feels we have an epidemic and/or pandemic:

Section 2524-D. Enforcement.
During a state of public health emergency, the public health authority may request assistance in enforcing orders pursuant to this article from the public safety authority. The public safety authority may request assistance, with the approval of the Governor, from the Pennsylvania National Guard in enforcing the orders of the public health authority.

And force quarantine:

Section 2543-D. Isolation and quarantine.
(a) State policy and powers.–
(1) It is the policy of the Commonwealth that the individual dignity of any person isolated or quarantined during a state of public health emergency shall be respected at all times and upon all occasions.

And if you don’t comply:

(b) Individual cooperation.–A person subject to isolation or quarantine:
(1) Shall comply with the public health authority’s rules and orders.
(2) Shall not go beyond the isolation or quarantine premises.
(3) Shall not put himself in contact with any person not subject to isolation or quarantine other than a physician or other health care provider, public health authority or person authorized to enter an isolation or quarantine premises by the public health authority.
(c) Unauthorized entry.–No person other than a person authorized by the public health authority shall enter an isolation or quarantine premises. If, by reason of an unauthorized entry into an isolation or quarantine premises, the person poses a danger to public health, that person may be subject to isolation or quarantine pursuant to the provisions of this article.

So gear up, Pennsylvanians — we’re about to enter Orwellian territory. Like a scene from the movie “Outbreak,” our state officials seem to feel the need to force us do whatever they want with our bodies, whether we like it or not. Following the lead of New York, Pennsylvania is about to become one of those states that forgo the rights of the individual for that of the “greater good.” Whatever that is.

Hopefully, Pennsylvania is paying attention because just yesterday a New York State judge suspended the regulation and halted compulsory vaccinations.

For those who do not wish to vaccinate their children, or themselves — guess what? You lose. You’ve just committed a 3rd degree misdemeanor, punishable by law. They can seize your property, quarantine you, and take your assets.

I, for one, will be more than willing to go to jail. The vaccine/autism debate, for me, is moot at this point. My rights and the rights of my fellow Pennsylvanians are being grossly violated in what is becoming more and more a “police state.”

Don’t fear Halloween, fear your state leaders. And please, let them know how you feel about this — particularly those who have their names on that bill. They scare me more than anything Halloween, or Hell, has to offer.

Cindy Waeltermann is the parent of two children on the autism spectrum and is the founder of AutismLink.com as well as the Autism Centers of Pittsburgh.  She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a dual degree in Marketing/Communications and English Writing and is a published writer and a former marketing/communications professional.

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