ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The latest court filing by those wanting to throw out the stay-at-home orders in St. Louis City and County states the St. Louis City Health Director, Dr. Fredrick Echols is "not currently licensed to practice medicine."
Attorney Bevis Schock says Echols' lack of a license further undermines the legitimacy of the orders. The City of St. Louis responded and said under the City Charter the city health director is not required to have a license to practice medicine.
Echols has been among the leading voices on decisions made by the city during the coronavirus pandemic.
He has a lengthy resume in medicine including a medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine, a physician in the U.S. Navy and is former Chief of Communicable Diseases for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
St. Louis Director of Communication Jacob Long says the language pertaining to Echols' position has long been changed and now says graduate work in public health is sufficient qualification and is not even required to be a doctor.
Schock is representing two businesses suing the city and county, claiming only the state health director – not local counties – has the authority to issue stay-at-home orders. He told KMOX, "I'm willing to stand up and say we accept the fact that more people are going to die if we open up. Which, I'm not even sure that's true."
Here's is a copy of the memo filed in federal court:
St. Louis City and County have stated they will reduce public health restrictions starting May 18. Further details are expected to be released soon.