Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Over 1,425 NYC Workers Fired For Failing To Get Vaccinated
The New York Times: N.Y.C. Fires 1,430 Workers Over Vaccine Mandate
New York City fired 1,430 city workers on Friday for failing to comply with its vaccine mandate, a figure that represent less than 1 percent of the city’s work force, but likely the nation’s largest mass termination of municipal employees in response to a Covid vaccine mandate. Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday that 1,428 workers, who had already been on unpaid leave for months, were sent termination notices after they failed to receive a first dose of the vaccine. Two newer hires, who faced more stringent requirements, were also fired for failing to receive two vaccine doses. Nearly 4,000 city workers had faced a deadline of Friday to comply with the vaccine mandate. (Fitzsimmons, 2/14)
In other news about vaccine mandates —
The Washington Post: D.C. To Drop Coronavirus Vaccine Requirement To Enter Businesses
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser said Monday she is dropping the city’s requirement that people show proof of coronavirus vaccination before entering many businesses in the city, as coronavirus transmission continues to trend downward throughout the region. The District’s requirement for residents to show proof of vaccination to enter most businesses — announced in December — will cease Tuesday, said Bowser (D). She also said she’s allowing the city’s mandate to wear masks in all indoor public spaces to be lifted starting March 1. Bowser had rescinded the indoor masking mandate in November before the surging omicron variant spurred her to bring it back. (Brice-Saddler and Elwood, 2/14)
Philadelphia Inquirer: Philadelphia's COVID-19 Vaccine And Mask Mandates Could Soon End Under New City Rules
Philadelphia’s vaccine mandate for indoor dining could end this week, according to sources familiar with new rules outlining the process coming as soon as Wednesday from the city health department. And if cases continue to decline, the mask mandate could also lift some time later. The benchmarks would create a novel system where restrictions could ease when overall illness falls and be reimposed in the event of a COVID-19 resurgence. The effect could ease the bite on hotels and restaurants, which have lost significant business during the pandemic, while also protecting people’s health and reducing the burden of illness on hospitals and caregivers. (Laughlin, 2/15)
AP: South Dakota Senate Passes Noem's Vaccine Mandate Bill
South Dakota Senate Republicans gave hearty support on Monday to Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposal to allow employees to gain exemptions from their employer’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates, passing it with the two-thirds majority required if it is to be enacted immediately. The bill drew just four “nay” votes in the 35-member Senate, sending it to the House. The proposal would allow employees to receive an exemption to their employer’s vaccine requirement by citing either a medical exemption certified by a medical professional, any religious grounds for refusal or a test showing antibodies against COVID-19 in the last six months. (Groves, 2/14)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Missouri House Advances Bills Limiting Vaccine Mandates
The Republican-led Missouri House on Monday advanced two bills dictating the limits of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The bills, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Waynesville, and Rep. David Evans, R-West Plains, slightly shift the lines around mandates, generally loosening who can impose a mandate and who can claim an exemption. Federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates on large private employers and federal employees have been halted by the courts. A federal mandate on health care employers has been upheld, with a first-dose requirement effective Monday in Missouri. Evans’ bill, he said, was adapted to follow and clarify existing federal laws regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandates. (Zokovitch, 2/14)
