The federal government should not issue another mask mandate, said Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), in a video released Tuesday afternoon. The senator said he believes the government dealt with coronavirus in a heavy-handed and damaging way the first time, and he doesn’t want to see a repeat of that.

“I’m afraid we’re going to roll right back in to how the heavy hand of government dealt with COVID in the first place,” said Braun.

He said he believes the government approach last year hurt the economy. He said businesses should be able to make their own decisions.

“My observation is when you put the task to businesses and Main Street, they did everything to keep their employees and customers safe. Now we’re talking about some of the failed policies that put our economy in a hurt. Blue states asked for a bailout from the federal government on account of it, and it looks we’re looping right back to it,” he said.

It was unclear if Congress was being consulted about the potential guidance.

“I’m going to be a voice for saying, hey, let this be solved at the grassroots level. Let local governments and businesses deal with it. There was no data to show that it worked with the oppressive, heavy-handed government approach to being with,” said Braun.

The senator has not said whether he has gotten the vaccine, but has urged everyone who can, to get it.

“Be respectful of the disease, but exercise individual responsibility. That’s the key. No more mandates, masking, and things that didn’t work from the get-go unless it makes common sense to do so.”