'Apologize to the American people for being dishonest about naturally acquired immunity'

The following is a partial transcript of my exchange with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra during today's Senate Health Committee hearing.

PAUL: Are you familiar with an Israeli study that had 2.5 million patients and found that the vaccinated group was actually seven times more likely to get infected with Covid than the people who had gotten Covid naturally?

BECERRA: Senator, I’ll have to get back to you on that one. I’m not familiar with that study.

PAUL: Well, you think you might want to be if you’re going to travel the country insulting the millions of Americans, indulging NBA star Jonathan Isaac, who have had Covid, recovered, look at a study with 2.5 million people and say ‘Well, you know what? It looks like my immunity is as good as the vaccine or not. And in a free country maybe I ought to be able to make that decision. Instead you’ve chosen to travel the country calling people like Jonathan Isaac and others, myself included, “flat earthers.”

We find that very insulting. It goes against the science. Are you a doctor or a medical doctor?

BECERRA: I have worked over 30 years on health policy.

PAUL: But you’re not a medical doctor. Do you have a science degree?

(Becerra seems to indicate he does not).

.@RandPaul GOES OFF on HHS Secretary Becerra:

"You ignore history and science... You should be ashamed of yourself and apologize to the American people for being dishonest about naturally acquired immunity." ?????? pic.twitter.com/wLJH9AWnx7 — Young Americans for Liberty (@YALiberty) September 30, 2021

PAUL: And yet you travel the country calling people “flat earthers” who have had Covid. Looked at studies of millions of people and made their own personal decision that their immunity they naturally acquired is sufficient. But you presume somehow to tell over 100 million Americans who’ve survived Covid that we have no right to determine our own medical care? You alone are on high and you’ve made these decisions? A lawyer with no scientific background, no medical degree.

This is an arrogance. Coupled with an authoritarianism that is unseemly and unAmerican. You, sir, are the one ignoring the science.

The vast preponderance of scientific studies, dozens and dozens, show robust, long lasting immunity after Covid infection. Even the CDC does not recommend measles vaccine if you have measles immunity. The same was true for smallpox.

But you ignore history and science to shame the “flat earners” as you call them. You should be ashamed of yourself and apologize to the American people for being dishonest about naturally acquired immunity.