Witness Testimony

Sharon Vickner testified that she lost her arborist sales position in November 2020 shortly after engaging in COVID-related community advocacy. She described being publicly targeted on social media, changing her name online to protect her employer, and speculated that reputational concerns contributed to her dismissal. She stated that she later received approximately $19,000 in fines related to outdoor gathering infractions and was ultimately arrested in May 2021 on an outstanding warrant connected to organizing public events.
Vickner described being detained for approximately 18 hours and characterized the experience as psychologically distressing. She testified that her bail conditions prohibited her from attending any public or private gathering with anyone other than those residing in her home, which in her case meant complete isolation, as she lived alone. She further testified that she was barred from contacting certain individuals, including her pastor and close supporters, and that the restrictions remained in effect for nearly one year. She stated that these conditions removed her support system and contributed to unemployment, social isolation, and reputational harm.
She testified that the combined effects of arrest, community hostility over mask non-compliance, family estrangement, and prolonged isolation led to severe mental health decline, including thoughts of self-harm, though she emphasized she did not act on those thoughts and now considers herself safe. Vickner concluded that public health responses should have focused on transparency, personal responsibility, outdoor activity, and community connection rather than enforced separation, which she believes caused significant psychological and societal harm.