Oral history interview with Tom Kelly

Oral history interview with Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly shares his recollection of the circumstances around his firing as a deputy state's attorney in Lamoille County, Vermont, in November 2021. He was terminated after refusing to comply with a mandate that state employees be vaccinated or mask up at work and be tested weekly for COVID-19. He describes his opposition to COVID-19 vaccines and other public health measures put in place during the pandemic, specifically questioning the safety of vaccinations, the effectiveness of masks, the accuracy of the COVID tests, and the need for lockdowns. As a Catholic and member of St. Monica's Church in Barre, he also expresses dissatisfaction with the Bishop for encouraging people to get vaccinated. He relates his belief that an illness he had in March 2020 was likely COVID and also explains his choice to follow a regimen of vitamins and ivermectin after his wife was diagnosed with COVID in 2021.

Tom Kelly of Barre, Vermont, served two terms as Washington County state's attorney prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. After he lost his reelection bid to Scott Williams in November 2014, he was hired as a deputy state's attorney in Lamoille County. His employment there was terminated following his refusal in 2021 to get vaccinated or wear a mask and be regularly tested for COVID-19.

Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-251676-OMS-22.

2023-02-17

Collecting COVID-19: A Vermont Story Project

AudioFileCOVID-034

MP3

WAV

Audio file

Permission to publish material from the Collecting COVID-19: A Vermont Story Project may be obtained from the Vermont Historical Society.

Johnson, Mark

Kelly, Tom, 1954-

1 hr., 37 min., 40 sec.

Vermont Historical Society Library, 60 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641-4215