Editor’s note: This story includes screenshots that contain explicit language.
A Federal Way City Council member recently made disparaging comments on social media about people who have received their COVID-19 vaccines, encouraging them to “keep getting the clot shots, die off, and let the rest of us move on with our lives.”
Erica Norton, Position 2, was elected to the Federal Way City Council in November 2021.
The comments were made Jan. 30 on a discussion thread related to the removal of Neil Young’s music from Spotify.
Her public Facebook page previously listed her job title as holding Position 2 of the Federal Way City Council. Norton removed the council affiliation on her social media page after the Mirror’s request for comment on Jan. 31.
Norton has not responded to several requests for comment. Her social media comments have since been deleted.
In screenshots of the comments, Norton states Washington is “an open air prison” and that she feels she is living around “brainwashed imbeciles.”
In one Facebook comment, Norton wrote in part: “Please go get 6 more boosters tomorrow, have a heart attack, stroke, whatever, and leave us alone.”
In a different comment, she wrote: “Just think. 3 years from now all the believers will be dead or permanently disabled. Hopefully they’ll all shut the hell up and leave the rest of us alone to live our lives. I don’t feel sorry for any of them anymore, we need to clean up the gene pool and they’re volunteering to take themselves out.”
Councilmember Erica Norton took to social media on Jan. 30, stating people who have received their COVID-19 vaccines are “brainwashed idiots.” Her comments have since been deleted. Screenshot of Facebook taken by The Mirror
There are no scientific studies that conclude people who have been vaccinated will die or become permanently disabled in three years. COVID-19 vaccines were made available beginning in December 2020.
Over 500 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the United States, with an excellent track record of vaccine safety and of preventing serious COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, said Kate Cole, a spokesperson for Public Health – Seattle & King County.
“In just the first year of the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program, vaccination prevented over 1 million deaths and over 10 million hospitalizations,” she said, adding that serious adverse effects are rare.
“It’s the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself from serious COVID-19, hospitalization and death,” Cole said.
Public vs. private
When it comes to privacy, an elected official is a public person, meaning their privacy is not the same as what an everyday citizen is entitled to.
“Anything someone posts on Facebook is public; it’s not a private form of communication,” said Mike Fancher, former executive editor of The Seattle Times. After his retirement in 2008, Fancher focused on journalism ethics in the digital age through research, writing and teaching.
“Some might think it’s free speech and unimportant to their voting decision,” Fancher said of Norton’s comments. “Others might feel the comments should disqualify the person from public office.”
Politicians, like Norton, are public employees and do still have privacy when it comes to private affairs, such as spousal issues or other concerns that do not impact the community they represent nor qualify as something the public needs to know, Fancher said.
Federal Way’s population is just over 100,000 residents. According to King County Public Health, 76.9% of residents in the city’s 98023 ZIP code and 77.9% of residents in the 98003 ZIP code are fully vaccinated.
As of the first week of February, 177 Federal Way residents have died from COVID-19.
Federal Way’s top leaders said Norton was using her public Facebook page to express her personal opinion.
“It appears as if Erica Norton is speaking in her personal capacity and not in her official capacity as a city councilmember,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell in Jan. 31 email. “Her remarks do not reflect the position of the City of Federal Way or my administration.”
Federal Way City Council President Linda Kochmar said a council member is free to speak their opinions, as long as they don’t do so in their official capacity.
“It’s her prerogative to respond how she wants,” Kochmar said on a Jan. 31 phone call. “She’s entirely welcome to her opinion.”
Ferrell and Kochmar both said they are vaccinated.
Candidate Erica Norton chats with community members at the election night party at Billy McHale’s on Nov. 2. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
L-R: School board candidate Quentin Morris and Lakehaven commissioner candidate Laura Belvin stand with city council candidates Jack Dovey, Jack Walsh, Daniel Miller and Erica Norton on Nov. 2. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
Councilmember Erica Norton took to social media on Jan. 30, urging people who have received their COVID-19 vaccines to “Please keep getting the clot shots, die off …” Her comments have since been deleted. Screenshot of Facebook taken by The Mirror
Councilmember Erica Norton took to social media on Jan. 30, stating people who have received their COVID-19 vaccines are “brainwashed idiots.” Her comments have since been deleted. Screenshot of Facebook taken by The Mirror
