A call for scrutiny into Oklahoma's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged from a coalition of 21 Republican state lawmakers. Leading this push is Sen. Randy Grellner, R-Cushing, who cites his medical background and previous tenure on the State Board of Health as a spur to demand accountability. These lawmakers have reached out directly to the state's Attorney General, seeking a formal investigation into state and local responses to the viral outbreak, according to a report by the Oklahoma Senate's press releases.
Grellner, who is also a primary care doctor, expressed the weight of the pandemic's impact, saying, "Oklahomans saw untold death and despair, and people are still trying to make sense of how the state and local hospitals handled the unprecedented crisis." He added, "We’re simply asking for answers and accountability to correct the historical record and ensure the state does not repeat the same mistakes in future pandemics." Concerns about violated state laws and overstepped authority were among those listed by the lawmakers, who are imploring the attorney general to absolutely determine the extent to which pandemic-era actions may have violated protocols.
Representatives Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, and Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, are aligned with Grellner's initiative, uniting to review the policies and protocols of the COVID era. "The stories I hear from constituents make it clear that too many Oklahomans were left without basic dignity during the pandemic," Jenkins stated in the same press release on this matter. They seek to unveil the truth and guarantee that no family will have to endure such detachment and confusion again.
Finally, as a part of their plea, Shaw weighed in on the necessity of this intended review, saying, "The inconsistencies in how decisions were made during the pandemic raise serious concerns that can’t be ignored." The lawmakers are aiming to illuminate the truth, to pinpoint where the system may have failed, and to identify what must now be corrected to protect citizens in any such emergencies on the horizon. The attorney general's response and ensuing actions remain to be seen, as the state grapples with the possibility of unearthing painful truths of a very recent past, as stated in the Oklahoma Senate's press releases.
