Jun 20, 2019

2020 candidate Marianne Williamson apologizes for vaccine comments

Photo: Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

2020 Democrat Marianne Williamson apologized in a response to The Daily Beast on Wednesday for calling vaccine mandates "draconian" and "Orwellian."

"Public safety must be carefully balanced with the right of individuals to make their own decisions. I am sorry that I made comments which sounded as though I question the validity of life-saving vaccines. That is not my feeling and I realize that I misspoke."

The backdrop: At a campaign event in New Hampshire, Williamson argued the issue is about free autonomy over one's body: "To me, it's no different than the abortion debate. The U.S. government doesn't tell any citizen, in my book, what they have to do with their body or their child."

Of note: As many on Twitter have pointed out, Orwell died at just 46 years old from tuberculosis, which is now preventable by vaccine.

Go deeper: Marianne Williamson on the issues, in under 500 words

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Global: Total confirmed cases as of 10 p.m. ET: 1,014,673 — Total deaths: 52,973 — Total recoveries: 210,335 — Map.
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2020 updates: The Democratic National Committee said its July convention will be postponed until August because of the coronavirus. A federal judge declined to delay Wisconsin's April 7 primary election.
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Public health latest: Anthony Fauci called for all states across the U.S. to issue stay-at-home orders. The FDA will allow blood donations from gay men after 3-month waiting period, citing "urgent need."
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U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt: Navy removes captain of aircraft carrier who sounded alarm about coronavirus.
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