NEW YORK’S VACCINE MANDATE LEAVES THOUSANDS OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS JOBLESS
New York state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers took effect Monday. Hospitals and nursing homes across the state were left scrambling for staff after workers were suspended or fired for refusing vaccination.
According to a local news source, officials say 84% of state workers are fully vaccinated. Administrators prepared contingency plans that included cutting back on non-critical services and limiting admissions at nursing homes due to thousands of health care workers still holding out on the vaccine.
“To those who have not yet made that decision, please do the right thing,” Hochul said at a press briefing. “A lot of your employers are anxious to just give you the jab in the arm and say you’re part of the family, we need your help to continue on.”
Healthcare workers who are fired for refusing vaccination will not be eligible for unemployment insurance unless they are able to provide a valid doctor-approved request for medical accommodation.
A woman fired from Mather Hospital says, “For us, it’s not just about vaccines, it’s about human rights as well, for the people that wanted to take the vaccine and these people I think should have taken the vaccine.” She continued, “I’m not against the vaccine. I’m also against human rights (violations), and you have the right to choose to take it, and I should have the right to choose not to if I feel like it’s not good for me.”
Many healthcare facilities are now in danger due to the staff shortage. Hence, many facilities in other states are hesitant to introduce the same requirements.
Additionally, New York City can order all teachers and staff to get the vaccine, reversing a previous decision to put the mandate on hold for educators.
New York’s mandate has now become the ringleader for other states like California or Maine that have announced requirements for complete vaccination among healthcare workers.
