Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Judge Refuses Mandate Block Request, So NYC Cops Must Get Covid Shot
Bloomberg: NYC Police Union Fails To Get Judge To Block Vaccine Mandate
New York City’s largest police union failed to persuade a state court judge to block Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vaccine mandate from taking effect next week. State Supreme Court Judge Lizette Colon on Wednesday denied a request by the 40,000-member Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York for a temporary restraining order, citing a 2019 state appellate ruling that upheld a vaccine mandate for measles. The New York mandate requires all municipal workers, including cops and firefighters, to have gotten at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine by Nov. 1. The police union sued to block the mandate on Monday, asking the court to bar it from being enforced while its suit is pending. (Burnson, 10/28)
Reuters: NYC Firefighters Union Says Members Should Defy Vaccine Mandate
The head of the New York City firefighters union said on Wednesday he had told unvaccinated members to report for duty regardless of an order by Mayor Bill de Blasio to place them on unpaid leave if they fail to get the COVID-19 shot. New York City firefighters who have risked their own health to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic felt "insulted" by de Blasio's order to get the shot or face suspension, said Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. (Clifford and Whitcomb, 10/27)
Fox News: FDNY Union Leader Warns COVID Vaccine Mandates Will Spike Emergency Response Times, Send City Into 'Chaos'
New York City’s municipal workforce has been warned by Mayor Bill de Blasio to be vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face unpaid leave which FDNY Firefighter Association President Andrew Ansbro argues will only cause chaos. In an appearance on Fox News Radio’s "Brian Kilmeade Show," the firefighter expressed how the department refuses to go down without a fight which will only lead to fewer workers on duty and more emergencies waiting to be responded to. "The staffing just is not there, there’s no way to do it," he said. "The response times are going to go through the roof. We’re just not going to be able to get to the emergencies in time." (Stabile, 10/27)
Gothamist: FDNY: 1 In 5 Ambulances, Fire Companies Could Be Offline Monday As NYC Workers Fight Vaccine Mandate
The head of the New York City Fire Department says staffing shortages could shutter up to 20% of firehouses next Monday, once the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate goes into effect. FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said he would also predict 20% fewer ambulances on the road. Nigro said FDNY is bracing for the potential shortages by canceling all vacation days starting November 1st, requiring people to work overtime and reassigning uniformed employees who typically work desk jobs back into the field at firehouses across the city. Municipal employees are required to get at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine by Friday at 5 p.m. and enforcement will start Monday morning. (Hogan, 10/27)
