During a South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs committee hearing Wednesday, several members of the public spoke about medical freedom, as part of the first of two hearings.
As South Carolina currently has one of the highest COVID-19 related deaths per capita and the is among the least vaccinated states, attendees used hyperbolic language to describe overburdened hospitals. They also attacked the vaccine and said that alternative medicines could cure COVID-19.
Doctors and the Department of Health and Environment Control have said that there is no cure for COVID-19 and that vaccines lower the risk of falling ill to the point of hospitalization.
Gov. Henry McMaster also has said the vaccination was the best defense to control the surging number of cases in South Carolina.
Some lawmakers question the format and rationale behind the meeting
Sen. Danny Verdin, R- Laurens, who led the effort to organize the meeting said that the purpose of the meeting was trying to find out where constituents stand and to hear about their experiences when they’ve been sick.
Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Colleton, asked Verdin what the committee was trying to accomplish.
“There was not a specific purpose, or impetus expressed in the appointment or setup of this subcommittee with hearings,” she said. “When I checked with staff, there’s no bill before us. This is just a public hearing. So I’m asking you what is your specific purpose for calling these public hearings?”
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Verdin said that the committee should look at any medical affair and “be knowledgeable, love mercy and follow the truth.”
In a back and forth between the two senators, Verdin said that this public hearing could help the committee give advisory opinions as and when legislation comes up.
A big contingent from the Greenville County GOP present in the meeting
A week before the meeting, Greenville County GOP Chair Jeff Davis spoke to Verdin and Rep. Ashley Trantham about alternative therapies to reduce hospitalization. One of the things, Trantham suggested, was monoclonal antibody therapy.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that “mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful antigens” such as viruses.
More:Upstate SC lawmakers ask Gov. McMaster to set up free antibody treatment centers to fight COVID
Upstate lawmakers banded together and sent out a letter to McMaster on Sept. 9. Another letter sent out the same day, advocating for the treatment, led by Rep. Sylleste Davis, R-Berkeley, was provided to The Greenville News.
“While fewer than 50% of South Carolinians have been fully vaccinated, we believe vaccination remains to be a personal choice,” the letter said. “With the threat of new variants, and the possibility, albeit low of breakthrough infections, additional priority should be laid down on life saving early treatment options.”
Davis said that he was attending the meeting to save people that were in a situation similar to GOP leader Pressley Stutts, who died from COVID-19. He said that he wasn’t there to talk about vaccine and mask mandates, though he had some serious concerns about it.
More:Spartanburg Regional Medical Center sets up emergency room triage in parking lot off Church St.
“We should ask the governor and DHEC to get mobilized and bring out these monoclonal antibody treatment clinics for South Carolinians,” he said. “They’re doing them in Florida, they’re doing them in Texas.”
Davis said that the reins of allowing medication should be taken away from medical professionals.
Lawmaker wants an investigation into DHEC and CDC
Rep. Stewart Jones, R-Laurens, said that he had several constituents who were doctors tell him that they could not prescribe Ivermectin and Hydrochloroquine, because of the CDC and to a certain extent, DHEC guidelines.
“I think when we look back at this moment in time we’re gonna see the mismanagement of the bureaucracy and government action from the top,” Jones said.
Several members in the audience clapped, to which Sen. Shane Martin and other members of the committee said that it was against the decorum of a Senate proceeding. Martin is the chairman of the committee and represents Greenville, Spartanburg and Union Counties.
When it happened the second time, a few audience members were escorted out by security.
The Food and Drug Administration has cautioned against the use of Hydrochloroquine and Ivermectin.
Research last year found that Hydrochloroquine showed no benefit for decreasing the likelihood of death or speeding recovery. Instead, there were safety concerns associated with Hydrochloroquine. The FDA found reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
The FDA has said that it has not authorized or approved Ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals.
As per the information on the FDA’s website, Ivermectin is used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms. Current data does not show that Ivermectin is effective against COVID-19.
“What I want to get around to here is asking why is the CDC, why’s DHEC deterring doctors from helping patients every possible way that they can using every tool that we possibly can use?” Jones said.
Rep. Stewart Jones asked the committee to investigate CDC and DHEC and why the agencies were “pushing guidance on doctors and patients in South Carolina.”
Sen. Mia McLeod said that Jones’ testimony seemed to be “focused on doctors and health care professionals that are at this point, overwhelmed, and not given the resources that they need.” Whereas the committee was put together to discuss alternative treatments like monoclonal antibody therapies, she said.
Jones said that it was about a patient’s freedom to choose the kind of treatment they want to have to overcome COVID-19.
“OK, so if it’s about freedom,” asked McLeod, “what did you vote to tie the school district’s hands with regards to the [mask] proviso?”
“I’ve voted to ensure the freedom of parents and people of this state,” Jones said. “That’s my position, and that’s why I’m elected.”
Dr. Jane Kelly, assistant state epidemiologist, said that today’s meeting was disheartening to hear about and that DHEC will have a chance to address the committee next week.
A separate meeting with healthcare workers will be held next week.
Devyani Chhetri is the state government watchdog reporter. You can reach her at dchhetri@gannett.com or @ChhetriDevyani on Twitter.
