Tanja Benton was pink-slipped in November 2021 from the biostatistical analysis scientist job she’d held for years with federal contractor BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, as a result of her refusal to stick to her employer’s COVID vaccine mandate. Now, a federal jury has awarded Benton practically $700,000 in a settlement, discovering that BlueCross did not provide correct lodging for Benton, who labored largely from dwelling and had requested for a non secular exemption for the vaccine, experiences the Chattanooga Instances Free Press. Benton’s fundamental beef with the vaccine, per her swimsuit, is that she believes it is derived from aborted fetus cell traces.
“Due to her sincerely held spiritual beliefs regarding abortion, [Benton] can’t in good conscience devour the vaccine, which might not solely defile her physique but additionally anger and dishonor God,” her legal professional, Doug Hamill, writes within the criticism. Nationwide Geographic notes that fetal cells are utilized in testing or growth/manufacturing of the coronavirus vaccine, not as an ingredient within the vaccine itself—much like how these cell traces are used to check different medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin, and for therapy analysis for sure circumstances like Alzheimer’s. Vanderbilt College, in the meantime, notes that almost all main religions haven’t got a difficulty with vaccination. Benton identifies as a nondenominational Christian, per Hamill.
Benton’s criticism famous she solely met in particular person together with her purchasers about 1% of the time, and that she “by no means carried out any work or attended any conferences in medical services the place sufferers have been being handled.” Benton is alleged to be the primary fired BlueCross worker who has been awarded compensation after being fired for refusing to adjust to the mandate. A BlueCross rep says in a press release that “we imagine the vaccine requirement was the very best resolution for the well being and security of our workers, members, and wider group given the circumstances and federal steering in impact on the time.” WTVC notes that Benton will obtain practically $180,000 in again pay, $10,000 in compensatory damages, and $500,000 in punitive damages—for a grand whole of $687,240. Try the settlement in full right here. (Extra coronavirus vaccine tales.)