One of the South Carolina General Assembly’s staunchest advocates for individual liberty is advancing hydroxychloroquine as an effective treatment for the coronavirus pandemic after interviewing a doctor who experienced success treating patients with the drug.
State representative Stewart Jones of Laurens, S.C. recently interviewed Michelle L. Hagenbuch, a family medicine specialist based in Clinton, S.C.
“It was enlightening to discuss what Dr. Hagenbuch has seen firsthand using hydroxychloroquine to treat patients with COVID-19,” Jones said in a statement. “Dr. Hagenbuch had a case with a 50 year old patient whose identical twin was also combating COVID-19. Within 48 hours of prescribing HCQ, azithromycin, and a steroid pack, her patient was 85 percent better and has fully recovered at this point, while the patient’s twin who did not receive the HCQ treatment is still on oxygen at this time.”
Here is Jones’ interview with Hagenbuch …
(Click to view)
(Via: Stewart Jones/ YouTube)
Based in part on his conversation with Hagenbuch, Jones is pushing a “Freedom in Medicine” petition – claiming “successful treatments of COVID-19 (are) being suppressed and thwarted by tech giants, bureaucrats, and the medical industrial complex in general.”
He believes all citizens should have the “Right to Try” hydroxychloroquine and other drugs if they believe these treatments will help them in their fight against the virus – which as of this writing has claimed the lives of 2,165 South Carolinians.
Well, allegedly …
“The State of South Carolina should fight for freedom in medicine to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and SAVE LIVES,” Jones wrote in the petition. “I believe that it is critical that these decisions be left to doctors and patients.”
We concur …
“The people of South Carolina should have the Right to Try and save their life without coercion from government,” the petition continued. “All efforts to silence medical professionals and individuals who have experienced positive outcomes with HCQ, should immediately cease and desist. The people of South Carolina should have the freedom to use every possible option to beat COVID-19.”
To sign Jones’ petition, click here.
Additionally, Jones is urging S.C. governor Henry McMaster, the S.C. Board of Medical Examiners and the S.C. Board of Pharmacy (both of which are comprised exclusively of gubernatorial appointees) to rescind a March 25, 2020 “joint guidance” document (.pdf) discouraging physicians from prescribing the drug.
This news outlet addressed hydroxychloroquine late last month … taking no position on its viability as a potential Covid-19 remedy but rebuking the censorship that has followed the debate over its alleged efficacy.
One reason for the controversy? Donald Trump – who has been one of the drug’s most outspoken defenders as it came under attack from the left and its social media censors.
“Many doctors think it is extremely successful, the hydroxychloroquine coupled with the zinc and perhaps the azithromycin,” Trump said last month. “Many doctors think it’s extremely good, and some people don’t.”
“I happen to believe in it,” Trump added. “I would take it. As you know, I took it for a 14-day period. And as you know, I’m here. I happen to think it works in the early stages.”
Again, we take no position on hydroxychloroquine … except that we believe people should be allowed to take it if that is their choice.
“People who have tested positive for Covid-19 ought to be free to take whatever they want in treating it,” we wrote last month.
Accordingly, we signed Jones’ petition and would encourage others to do the same.
What do you think? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in our comments section below …
Should patients who wish to take hydroxychloroquine for the coronavirus be allowed to do so?
-FITSNews
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