Education Secretary Gives Texas A Failing Grade On Its Vax Mandate Ban

CNBC: Education Secretary Says Texas Is Wrong To Ban Covid Vaccine Mandates
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said that he disagrees with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s move to ban nearly any coronavirus vaccine mandates in the state. That’s because the move will affect children in both public and private schools in the state, some of whom are not yet eligible to be vaccinated themselves. (Reinicke, 10/13)

The Wall Street Journal: Covid-19 Vaccine-Mandate Fight Between Texas And Biden Has Companies Caught In The Middle
The Greater Houston Partnership, which represents some 900 companies including Exxon Mobil Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Chevron Corp. and Accenture PLC, said Tuesday that Mr. Abbott’s order would make it more difficult for Texas businesses to operate safely. The organization has been generally supportive of Mr. Biden’s efforts to require vaccines for large employers. (Harrison and Findell, 10/13)

CBS News: Texas Hospital CEO "Deeply Disappointed" By Abbott's Bid To Ban Vaccine Mandates 
Texas Governor Greg Abbott's executive order banning vaccine mandates in the Lone Star state is not sitting well at Houston Methodist, the first hospital system in the country to require employees be immunized against COVID-19. Houston Methodist — a medical center and six community hospitals — is "deeply disappointed in the governor's order," Dr. Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist said in an emailed statement to CBS MoneyWatch. Medical workers take an oath to "do no harm," and that includes "doing everything possible to prevent the spread of disease — something we know these vaccines are very good at doing," he added. (Gibson, 10/13)

Dallas Morning News: Mark Cuban Stiffens COVID-19 Stance: ‘If You Work For Me, I Require My Employees To Be Vaccinated’
With just under two weeks until the Dallas Mavericks’ season opener, owner Mark Cuban has made his stance known on COVID-19 vaccinations. And it doesn’t appear that he will be backing down any time soon. “It is your choice. It is absolutely, positively up to you. But there are consequences that come with that,” Cuban said during an appearance on 10 Questions with Kyle Brandt, a Spotify podcast. “If you work for me, I require my employees to be vaccinated unless there’s a doctor’s reason where they can’t be. I don’t want my kids to be at risk, so the consequences of you not being vaccinated is I’m not going to shut the [expletive] up. I’m going to be in your mother[expletive] ear driving you mother[expletive] crazy.” (Lopez, 10/13)

In updates on mandates in California —

AP: Judge Blocks Vaccination Mandate For California Prisons
A judge on Wednesday blocked an order due to take effect this week that required California prison employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.Kern County Judge Bernard Barmann issued a temporary restraining order that prevents enforcement of the vaccination mandate for guards and peace officers represented by a powerful union while the court weighs a request for a preliminary injunction, the Sacramento Bee reported. (10/14)

AP: San Francisco Hasn't Approved Any Vaccine Waiver For Workers
About 800 San Francisco city workers have asked for medical or religions exemptions to avoid a looming deadline for them to get vaccinated or lose their jobs, but so far the city has not approved a single request, a human resources official said Wednesday. About 1,900, or 5.5% of the city’s 35,000-employee workforce, have not complied with the mandate to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 1, said Mawuli Tugbenyoh, chief of policy at San Francisco’s Department of Human Resources. (10/14)

In other vaccine mandate news —

AP: Boston Suspends 800 For Failing To Comply With Vaccine Rules
More than 800 people who work for Boston have been suspended without pay for failing to comply with the city’s coronavirus vaccine mandate, city officials said. Acting Mayor Kim Janey announced in August that the city’s roughly 18,000 employees would be required to either show proof of vaccination, or, if they do no want to get a shot, submit to regular testing. (10/13)

AP: Arkansas Governor OKs Bill Allowing Vaccine Mandate Opt-Outs
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday effectively approved a new law that will allow employees to opt-out of COVID-19 vaccine requirements, a move by fellow Republicans to challenge federal vaccine mandates. Hutchinson allowed the measure to become law without his signature despite his concerns about the impact it will have on businesses in the state. The new law won’t take effect until early next year. (DeMillo, 10/14)

AP: Judge Bars United From Putting Unvaccinated Workers On Leave
A federal judge has extended a ban on United Airlines putting employees on unpaid leave for seeking a medical or religious exemption from the airline’s requirement to get vaccinated against COVID-19.U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman in Fort Worth, Texas, granted a restraining order Tuesday in favor of employees who are suing the airline over the mandate. (10/13)

Also —

The Hill: Kyrie Irving Explains His Decision To Remain Unvaccinated
Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving on Wednesday explained his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 a day after his team announced it was suspending him because his stance made him ineligible to play or practice in their arena. (Scully, 10/13)

The Wall Street Journal: The Doctors Who Blocked Kyrie Irving 
There are not many people standing in between the Brooklyn Nets and the NBA championship. ... But it turns out the greatest threat to Nets hegemony when the NBA season begins next week might be a team of New York City health officials. Jay Varma is their LeBron James. Varma was the senior adviser for public health in the New York City mayor’s office, where it was his job until recently to lead the city’s strategy against Covid-19, and he remains a consultant on pandemic matters. He’s also suddenly become one of the most significant figures in the NBA. (Cohen and Radnofsky, 10/13)