Chris Lange, FISM News

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, says the COVID-19 emergency is now “over.” The declaration was made during a Colorado Public Radio broadcast Friday in which Polis said he will not impose another statewide mask mandate in response to the omicron variant.

“Everybody had more than enough opportunity to get vaccinated. Hopefully it’s been at your pharmacy, your grocery store, a bus near you, [or at] big events,” he said during the interview, adding, “If you haven’t been vaccinated, that’s your choice. I respect that. But it’s your fault when you’re in the hospital with COVID.”

The governor also pointed to the efficacy of vaccinations, saying that, while a portion of the vaccinated population may still get the virus, “it’s very rare.” He also took a swipe at those who choose to remain unvaccinated, stating that “84 percent” of patients hospitalized, presumably from the virus, have had plenty of time and opportunity to get vaccinated. “[A]t this point, I think it’s almost like they made a deliberate decision not to get vaccinated,” he said.

In an apparent about-face, Polis, who previously instituted mask mandates in the Centennial State, said during the interview that it is not the job of the state or public health officials to enforce mask requirements. 

“The emergency is over,” he said. “You know, public health [officials] don’t get to tell people what to wear; that’s just not their job. Public health [officials] would say to always wear a mask because it decreases flu and decreases [other airborne illnesses]. But that’s not something that you require; you don’t tell people what to wear. 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. “

The governor slammed purveyors of “misinformation” he says have discouraged some people from getting vaccinated. 

“There are people that believe you and I are part of some massive conspiracy, Ryan,” he told “Colorado Matters” host Ryan Warner. “Some of them believe there is no COVID; some of them believe the vaccine doesn’t work; some believe that the vaccine has severe side effects. The truth is they’re in their own bubble, and it’s very hard to penetrate.”

Colorado’s legislative branch recently instituted a “vax or mask” regulation for Denver metro area counties requiring businesses to either confirm proof of vaccination from customers or enforce mask wearing.

The governor’s surprise declaration may have been influenced by two previous recall attempts, with another currently underway, over his strict COVID-19 responses including imposed lockdowns and forced business closures. He has also been accused of spending “$1.6 billion in CARES Act funds without consulting the legislative branch of the Colorado government.” Recall organizers additionally said Polis violated Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution when he forced churches and other places of worship “to close their doors while allowing ‘necessary’ locations such as marijuana shops to remain open under his stay at home order.”