Golden State Today

COVID-19 shutdowns have been a “multi-trillion dollar mistake” San Mateo County Republican Party Executive Committee member Matt Feemster said.

“It'll go down as the worst decision in American history,” he told Golden State Today. “The shutdowns didn't work, were unnecessary and caused more harm than the disease itself.”

His comments came just as the Bay Area fell under a state regional stay-at-home order that is triggered when available intensive care unit beds fall below 15%.

In the Bay Area there was a 13.7% availability of ICU beds on Dec. 22, according to the state of California. Statewide, only 2.1% of ICU beds are available, the Associated Press reported.

Feemster believes the current numbers prove his point about the effectiveness of shutdowns.

“If shutdowns work, then why do we need to do them again?” he asked. “If shutdowns don't work, then why are we doing them again?”

He believes that shutdown have proven to be ineffective in controlling the virus.

“No more shutdowns,” he said. “Shutdowns don't work and are unnecessary.”

Meanwhile as the number of COVID-19 cases increases, states across the country are launching vaccination program as two vaccines have received federal approval.

However, officials caution that it could be spring or summer before the vaccines are widely available and in the meantime, people should stay at home and wear masks when they do go out, AP reported.

When asked if he will be getting a COVID-19 vaccine, Feemster replied, “Perhaps. I'll wait and see. I'm in no rush.”

He has not heard vaccine discussions in his community.

“I haven't heard anything yet,” he said. “I assume the elderly will get it first.”

Two national drugstore chains, CVS and Walgreens, have been vaccinating patients at long-term care homes, AP reported. The vaccinations started in Connecticut and Ohio and will expand to Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon and Vermont, the story said.