Gov. Mark Gordon, state lawmakers and Wyoming residents are rallying against the Biden administration’s proposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Gordon said Wednesday that he may call the Wyoming Legislature for a special session to address federal vaccine mandates.

“This matter should not go unanswered,” Senate President Dan Dockstader said in a statement. “We should explore every option.”

The governor also said Attorney General Bridget Hill is preparing to take legal action to stop the announced requirements for private employers. Although the administration has not yet released the details of the new rules, “we cannot sit on our hands just watching this egregious example of federal government overreach,” Gordon said.

However, he also said the state needs to be “smart, thoughtful and effective in the way we respond,” in order to avoid unintended consequences.

Meanwhile, a group of local residents are planning a “We the People Freedom Gathering” against vaccine mandates and passports. It’s set to run from 10-11 a.m. Saturday at Cody’s Veterans Memorial Park.

“Whether you choose to get or not get the vaccine is a personal choice,” organizers said in a pamphlet. “This is about being MANDATED by Big Government in Washington, D.C., and NOT giving up more of our cherished freedom and state rights.”

The document calls on residents to send a message that “we will not comply!!”

Public health officials continue to encourage residents to consider getting vaccinated against COVID-19 as a way to protect themselves and others. As of Monday, just over 37% of Park County’s population (or 10,827 people) was fully vaccinated, according to state data, slightly above the state average.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county dropped over the past week, from 17 patients on Sept. 8 to 15 patients on Wednesday. That included eight patients at Cody Regional Health and seven at Powell Valley Healthcare. Also during the last week, the overall number of active confirmed and probable cases in the county similarly dipped from 214 to 203.

The deaths of 42 county residents have been attributed to COVID-19 since the pandemic began, coming among 3,869 confirmed and probable cases.