Summary
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey issued executive orders eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in state-run institutions and introducing religious exemptions to school vaccination requirements.
Morrisey claimed DEI initiatives foster “preferential treatment” and referenced the 2023 Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action.
The vaccine exemption policy overturns one of the nation’s strictest vaccination rules, which had historically maintained high rates.
Public health experts warn the change could threaten immunity levels and worsen health outcomes in a state already struggling with poor health metrics.
I will have to point out that the most recent example given of WV being a bastion of people fighting for labor rights was over a hundred years ago.
By the same logic, Republicans should be heralded as the advocates for people of color forever because Abraham Lincoln was a Republican.
Maybe it’s unreasonable to be rude about the populace, but neither should we perceive them all according to their civil war stance over 150 years ago and a major labor dispute over a 100 years ago.