(WSIL) -- U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) says vaccines are vital to taking on COVID-19, but he says the government shouldn't be pushing rules on the public.
FEUD WITH FAUCI
"His side says follow the science, and then they don't follow the science. The science has been pretty clear: if you're vaccinated you're not likely to catch the disease and very unlikely to spread the disease," Sen. Paul said.
Senator Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci have had a war of words for months now. Paul accused the Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of political theater.
Senator Paul says the science hasn't changed over the past few months, and masks could have gone away a long time ago for those who've been vaccinated.
"He's (Fauci) known for awhile...he hasn't been honest to the public. He thinks we're not smart enough to make a rational decision," Sen. Paul said.
VACCINE IMPACT
Paul says data from across the country shows the majority of Americans over the age of 65 are getting vaccinated.
"They realize this is a deadly disease for the elderly, so the elderly have overwhelmingly taken it. The percentages go down as you get younger--but still a significant number have taken it," Paul said.
But he says the impacts or need to be vaccinated for younger people (who don't have health issues) is still unclear.
"Without question the disease is more dangerous then anything the vaccine can do for the elderly. or for those who are overweight. The question isn't really so clear for a 12-year-old and, so those decisions should be the parents and shouldn't be mandated by the state."
WHO NEEDS TO KNOW?
"If you're vaccinated--you're safe. Do you care if the guy next to you isn't vaccinated? No! Why should you care? You've been vaccinated. So really this is sort of this big brotherism. This idea that we need to demand the medical records of everyone we stand next to. They're going to have to wear some sort of insignia or some sore of lapel on their arm."
Sen. Rand Paul
Why don't you leave your neighbor alone? Senator Paul asked News 3 that question when talking about sharing vaccine information with the public. He added, "We're a free country and individuals make their own risk assessment."
GOVERNMENT'S ROLE
Senator Paul believes the government shouldn't be dictating policy on masks.
"An 8th grade kid running track outside should not be wearing a mask. It's crazy from the CDC to tell kids to do that and it really is a disservice to our children," Paul said.
UNEMPLOYMENT IMPACT
Businessesin multiple industries have job openings right now, but finding workers to fill those spots has been a challenge.
Paul says it isn't a lack of jobs but a lack of incentive.
"You cant have the government pay a wage for people not to work that is greater than the wage people get for working."
Paul calls work a reward not a punishment. He says the United States has made unemployment institutional.
He's opposed to continued efforts to extend increased unemployment benefits as the number of people impacted by COVID-19 continues to shrink.
EDITOR'S NOTE: To watch the full interview with Senator Paul and News 3's Dave Davis click the video attached to this story.
