Steffen promises to introduce legislation providing access to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine
By NOAH TABORDA
Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Dozens of anti-vaccine Kansans greeted Sen. Mark Steffen with raucous applause Tuesday as he announced immediate and forthcoming bills that would undermine local health officials and promote off-label use of prescription drugs.
Steffen, an anesthesiologist, criticized mainstream medical experts for keeping treatments like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin from COVID-19 patients. In a bill introduced in special session but not acted on and in a recent resolution introduced in a Senate committee, the Hutchinson Republican advocated for more avenues to use these treatments that the Food and Drug Administration deemed unsafe.
He said the Senate planned to act as soon as next week and encouraged people to make their positions clear on early treatment options to legislators.
“When our voices are heard, we get things done,” Steffen said. “This is a sophisticated virus. It takes thoughtful planning and early treatment — getting to the virus early — is the most effective.”
Prompted by the anti-vaccine group Kansans for Health Freedom, more than 50 people gathered, mostly maskless, on the first floor of the Statehouse to mingle with state legislators.
Steffen promised he would file several more bills limiting the government’s ability to close businesses and churches, or local school boards’ authority to enact any sort of mask mandate.
Steffen was accompanied by several others who spoke at length about their frustrations with a lack of early treatment options.
Medical experts advise strongly against the use of ivermectin, primarily a horse dewormer, and hydroxychloroquine, often prescribed to those dealing with the inflammatory disease Lupus, for COVID-19 treatment. Pharmacists in Kansas can refuse a prescription if they believe it should not be filled.
“Even the levels of ivermectin for approved human uses can interact with other medications, like blood-thinners,” the FDA warns. “You can also overdose on ivermectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia (problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death.”
Outside of calls for these alternative treatment methods, those gathered in the Statehouse spoke of falsified records and information used to twist the truth of the pandemic. Rebecca Dunlap, of Marshall County, called for a resolution to call a convention of states to propose changes to the U.S. Constitution.
An effort in 2021 to add Kansas to the list of states in favor of a convention fizzled after a split among Republican legislators resulted in the measure being sent back to committee.
“It’s an uphill battle with the way the Kansas laws are written,” Dunlap said. “But I believe in bodily autonomy, and that’s one of our major freedoms that’s being infringed upon.”
Paul Stang, a Lawrence resident, said he stands outside the Lawrence public school board building every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in opposition of what he called a “leadership of fear.”
Earlier this month, Douglas County re-issued an emergency public health order requiring face masks indoors. Last week, Lawrence Public Schools reported about 2,000 students and more than 100 teachers were absent in the previous week.
Stang also made a comparison between what Hitler did in World War II-era Germany and modern-day vaccine mandates.
“We’re standing here for freedom,” Stang said. “We’re totally opposed to the fear that’s being presented to our children. What is that going to do to the future of our country?”