Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Delaying Vax Mandate Would Be A 'Big Mistake,' Biden Official Warns
Axios: Commerce Secretary: Delaying Vaccine Mandate Until After Holidays Would Be "Big Mistake"
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that delaying the establishment of vaccine mandate deadlines until after the holidays would be a "big mistake." In September, the Biden administration announced it would be working with the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to require vaccinations or once-a-week testing for companies with more than 100 employees. (Saric, 10/31)
In related news about covid mandates —
NBC News: 2,000 FDNY Firefighters Take Medical Leave As Vaccine Sanctions Loom
More than 2,000 New York City firefighters have taken medical leave in the past week as unvaccinated municipal workers face the start of sanctions Monday. Frank Dwyer, deputy commissioner of the New York City Fire Department, said by email that the number of firefighters on medical leave was "very unusual." The department employs roughly 11,000 firefighters. (Romero, 10/31)
The Wall Street Journal: Thousands Of New York City Workers To Lose Pay As Vaccine Mandate Starts Monday
Thousands of New York City firefighters, police officers and other municipal employees stand to lose their paychecks starting Monday for failing to comply with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate. The exact number of city workers who could be without pay couldn’t be determined. The mayor’s office said around 22,800 employees remain unvaccinated and are subject to Monday’s mandate. A spokesman for Mr. de Blasio didn’t know if that figure includes employees who have been granted exemptions for religious and medical reasons or have accommodation requests pending. (Gershman, 10/31)
Los Angeles Times: Sheriff: Vaccine Mandate Causing 'Mass Exodus' Among Ranks
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva continues to rail against the county’s vaccine mandate, warning it is causing a “mass exodus” in his department and threatens public safety at a time when violent crime is on the rise. “I have repeatedly stated the dangers to public safety when 20% to 30% of my workforce is no longer available to provide service, and those dangers are quickly becoming a reality,” Villanueva said in a statement that he posted on social media last week. “We are experiencing an increase in unscheduled retirements, worker compensation claims, employees quitting, and a reduction in qualified applicants.” (Vega, 10/21)
New Orleans Times-Picayune: Ochsner Health Temporarily Stopped From Firing Some Employees Over COVID Vaccination Status
A panel of three judges in Shreveport has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Ochsner Health from firing employees in north Louisiana who have not complied with a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. The employees, 39 of which filed a lawsuit in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, would have been dismissed Friday under a policy Ochsner enacted for all 32,000 employees in August: get vaccinated or an exemption by Oct. 29 or lose your job. The ruling from the state court of appeals came Thursday, one day before the deadline. (Woodruff, 10/29)
Axios: Texas AG Sues Biden Administration Over Vaccine Mandate For Contractors
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration over its vaccine mandate for federal contractors, which requires vaccination against the coronavirus no later than Dec. 8. The executive order is "a dramatic infringement upon individual liberties, principles of federalism and separation of powers, and the rule of law," according to the lawsuit, which was filed Friday evening in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. (Chen, 10/30)
Also —
AP: 2 Of Florida's Largest School Districts Ease Up On Masks
Two of Florida’s largest school districts are easing up on their masks requirement this week. Starting Monday, Orange County students can stop wearing face masks if their parents provide a note opting them out. In Broward County, high school students can choose to wear a mask starting Monday, and it’s strongly encouraged, but it will still be mandatory for middle and elementary school students. (10/31)
Health News Florida: Florida Democrats Say DeSantis' Choice For Surgeon General Is Unfit For The Job
Democrats are urging the Republican-led state Senate to reject Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s appointment as surgeon general. Ladapo was appointed to the job last month. He replaced Scott Rivkees, who resigned. But since coming on board, Ladapo's positions on issues like vaccines and mask mandates have riled Democrats. And a run-in with a Democratic state senator earned a rebuke from the Senate’s top Republican. (Hatter, 10/31)
Stat: Can A Pro-Covid Vaccine, Anti-Mandate Republican Win In Virginia?
Glenn Youngkin is playing both sides on Covid-19 vaccines. In his effort to win Virginia’s gubernatorial election next week, the Republican candidate is trying to appease the GOP base with strong opposition to vaccine mandates — saying he’s “really frustrated” with them and urging those who want exemptions to seek them. But he’s trying, too, to win back more moderate suburbanites who support a strong response to the pandemic, even airing an ad encouraging people to “join me in getting the vaccine.” “We can protect lives and livelihoods here in Virginia,” he says. (Osman, 10/29)
