Sunday, July 25, 2021

SHOULD THERE BE A COVID VACCINE MANDATE IN NYC SCHOOLS?

Mayor Bill de Blasio is mandating COVID vaccines or weekly COVID tests for city health workers. The mayor is also urging private sector employers to consider mandatory vaccinations. Here is some of what he said from Channel 7 Eyewitness News:

On Friday, de Blasio encouraged businesses "to move immediately to some form of mandate" for vaccinations.

It's his latest effort to fight a surge of the more contagious Delta variant.

"We tried purely voluntary for over half a year, we tried every form of incentive, so we have reached the limit of a purely voluntary system, it's time for more mandates," de Blasio said.

When he was asked if the city would consider a mandatory COVID pass for most social activities, like France, de Blasio said it's a "direction we need to seriously consider."

"Getting vaccinated is smart in general, it's smart, if you want to attend big events, it's just smart," he said. "So, I'd say to everyone, if you want to keep going to these great things, go get vaccinated."

The mayor's remarks came just two days after he imposed a mandate on employees of the city's public hospital system and the health department's community clinics.

Those employees must either be vaccinated or face weekly coronavirus testing.

Success Academy ordered staff to get COVID vaccines in May in order to work in schools this fall. 

What about public school educators? The UFT has opposed mandatory vaccinations on HIPAA (privacy) grounds.

Gothamist covered this in May. An excerpt:

United Federation of Teachers president Michael Mulgrew has repeatedly said teachers should not have to disclose whether they’ve been vaccinated under federal health privacy rules.

That claim does not appear to be accurate. The state does retain the authority to mandate COVID-19 shots for academic staff.

“Public schools can require vaccinations of teachers as a condition of employment, with disability and religious exemptions as required by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),” said [Professor Allison] Hoffman from Penn Law. “While the union might claim that such conditions are contrary to teacher contracts, asking a teacher to provide health data is not a violation of HIPAA, the federal privacy law.”

Mulgrew wrong? Shocking.

One of the main arguments the anti-vaxxers use is that the COVID vaccines are under emergency Use Authorization and so they cannot be mandated until they go through the FDA's regular approval process. Gothamist covered the EUA issue. While under EUA it may be legal to mandate the vaccine for work but not a slam dunk.

“The legality of mandates is less clear under an EUA because the vaccine has not undergone the full FDA approval process with sufficient efficacy and safety data,” said Professor Allison Hoffman, an expert of health care law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. “There is language in the EUA statute that individuals have to be informed of the right to accept or refuse the product, and the consequences of doing so. This language implies a right to refuse.”

A policy analysis published in April by the Kaiser Family Foundation adds that “Others have questioned whether the reference to “consequences” of refusing a vaccine subject to an EUA includes not only potential health consequences but also other adverse outcomes such as loss of employment.”

Let's go to that Kaiser study:

More generally, however, it is unclear whether COVID-19 vaccines can be mandated while operating under an EUA, and courts have not yet ruled on this issue.

Back to Gothamist:

But once a vaccine receives approval, states can definitely mandate it for schools, Hoffman added, as they have done across the nation with varying types of exceptions.

Pfizer submitted a regular approval application on May 7, 2021. The FDA has until January to make a decision but given the state of the pandemic, we would be surprised if it isn't done sooner.

From News 10 Albany:

“The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) Goal Date of January 2022 reflects the PDUFA deadline for Priority Review and does not mean approval will not happen before that time. Quite to the contrary, the review of this BLA (Biologics License Application) has been ongoing, is among the highest priorities of the agency, and the agency intends to complete the review far in advance of the PDUFA Goal Date,” according to the FDA.

We wrote about mandating vaccinations for NYC teachers in May which led to a discussion in comments. We noted that a huge majority of parents and educators in a survey done by Educators of NYC favored mandatory vaccinations for NYC school workers if there were medical exemptions.

We cited a modern discussion on Jacobson vs. Massachusetts, the 1905 Supreme Court case that upheld mandatory vaccinations by a state as constitutional.

APPLYING MODERN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Given the changes in constitutional law, public health, and government regulation, what kinds of public health laws that address contagious diseases might be constitutionally permissible today? A law that authorizes mandatory vaccination during an epidemic of a lethal disease, with refusal punishable by a monetary penalty, like the one at issue in Jacobson, would undoubtedly be found constitutional under the low constitutional test of “rationality review.” However, the vaccine would have to be approved by the FDA as safe and effective, and the law would have to require exceptions for those who have contraindications to the vaccine. 

If we accept that mandatory vaccines as a condition of employment with medical exemptions are legal and the only possible legal hurdle left is the Emergency Use Authorization, the issue comes down to whether a mandate is desirable in NYC schools. I would agree with NYC Educator that the answer is yes.

He cited a Chalkbeat NY article that showed the UFT is right now on the fence concerning mandatory vaccination for members:

“Thousands of UFT members have already been vaccinated through programs sponsored by the union, the city, and the state,” Alison Gendar, a teachers union spokesperson, wrote in an email. “We will be working with the city, state, and our own independent medical experts on safety protocols for this fall.”

That to me is UFTeze for we're seeing how the wind is blowing on mandated vaccines. I don't think that is a strong enough stand.

While Chalkbeat reports that at least 58% of  DOE employees are vaccinated, that is not sufficient. The question now is if the UFT and city are willing to stand up to right-wing and other anti-vaxxers who are literally putting public health in jeopardy by refusing the jabs. 

Dr. Kavita Patel warned that the longer people wait to get vaccinated, “the more it poses a risk down the line for even those of us who are vaccinated.”

“It’s not just that vaccinations work, it’s that we have to vaccinate the whole world, and the more people that are unvaccinated or remain unvaccinated, the virus replicates. As it replicates, it mutates, and the more efficient it gets with mutations, that’s where you get variants like delta,” said Patel, a former Obama administration policy aide.

Mayor de Blasio and President Mulgrew need to act now as the time for the two-dose vaccines to take full effect is five to six weeks after the first shot and school starts on September 9 for most DOE employees.

Should we accept the de Blasio compromise and call for mandatory COVID vaccines of DOE employees or weekly proof of a negative COVID test until the FDA fully approves the COVID vaccines or should the UFT push for COVID vaccinations now as a condition of employment in a New York City public school? Or, do we stand with the anti-vaxxers? I am for the first two choices but lean toward a hard mandate with only medical exemptions granted. 

71 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reading this makes my blood boil!
Who will determine the exemptions?if you are harmed by the shot, you are not covered.if it causes you to become disabled or die, there is no legal recourse, as that was the condition set forth by big pharm.interesting because if they think it is safe why do they insist on no responsibility??and so what if you can't support your family??would u get a disability pension?this is disgusting!he won't mandate masks and he encourages crowds but talks of a mandated shot???I worked many years.i won't risk my health for this flawed agenda.i would leave before I submit to this.

Anonymous said...

Maybe I should sit this one out and just grab my popcorn for this one. Anon2323 will be here right after CHURCH, gnashing teeth, spewing lies and toxicity. Happy Sunday Yall! LMAO

Pete Zucker said...

My son’s college has mandated that all staff and students be vaccinated. However, like Success its a private school. SUNY on the other hand has no mandate but must wait until the vaccines have formal, not emergency, approval to do so.

Anonymous said...

Jab or no job sounds good to me.

Anonymous said...

If you have been vaccinated and have one of those vaccination cards, chances are that your name is on a State database whether you signed up for the Excelsior site, or not. I know this because my child received notification from their university that they can see that the vaccination requirement has been met.

Anti-vaxxers should not be the only ones with choice. As someone who is vaccinated I don't want to be forced to wear the mask all day long, and the only reason I will be forced to wear one, is that there are many who are not vaccinated.

The thing with anti-vaxxers is that it is NOT about the vaccine. It is about disagreeing, just to be disagreeable. They griped about wearing masks. They griped about the restrictions on large indoor gatherings. They gripe about mandatory testing. They whined when schools closed, and they'll whine when they open. They didn't gripe about the stimulus money though. They were first in line for that.

No more pandering to the whiney anti-vaxxers. They claim they're being forced. No, there are choices. It will be their choice to jeopardize their employment or access to various activities.

Anonymous said...

What about the people who are now needlessly dying from COVID first comment?

Anonymous said...

12:27: It's people like you who are discouraging people from getting the shot. You are only hearing of the few bad results of the vaccine and not the millions who took it and were fine. Would you advise people to stop flying because they may crash? We take a risk of dying every time we leave our homes. Trust the statistics, not the stories.

Anonymous said...

Let's see how many of you will be dead or disabled from the shot?! I hope I am wrong.I am an avid mask wearer.if people feel it's an imposition against their rights to wear a mask,why should I be forced to take the poison? That is not right to risk my health.This vax is not the answer.if it it was an answer and safe, I would agree with mandates.i had more and got mumps.nobody I knew had it.go figure.i should not have to choose between making a living and seriously risking my health.maybe enough parents will rebel and there can be non vaxxed staff and students who can work remotely.
If u all vax see if your uft medicare insurance will cover you when the shift! Maybe there will be a teacher shortage when many are killed or maimed.thousands have been already!FOLLOW THE MONEY!DO YOU TRUST A COMPANY THAT IS CURRENTLY HAVING TO PAY OUT FOR THEIR PAST LIES AND COVER-UPS?? I AM NOT ANTI VAX.I AM PRO SAFETY AND WOULD TAKE THE VAX IF I HAD FAITH IN IT.LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE 100%VAXXED.THET STILL HAVE A COVID ISSUE!

Anonymous said...

Manta people are needlessly dying if covid because they hang out with reckless abandon to safety suggestions.

Anonymous said...

And then they bring it home.i refuse social invites with friends who won't mask, they fly to Florida, party with their like minded cronies.i do not care what they think of me bec if I get sick, nobody will help me.simple fact.guard your health

Bronx ATR said...

There needs to be a mandate for everyone or we will all be in lock down next December when a worse variant that isn’t resistant to the vaccines pops up because hers immunity can’t be reached without it. There’s a lot of folks that want that lockdown, btw, but not too many that will admit it. Another lockdown will devastate many of us - emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Anonymous said...

Many of us had CoVid. We don’t need the vaccine.

James Eterno said...

This is from the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20should%20be%20vaccinated,after%20recovering%20from%20COVID%2D19.


Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. Studies have shown that vaccination provides a strong boost in protection in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Learn more about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.

If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you or your child has a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults or children (MIS-A or MIS-C), consider delaying vaccination until you or your child have recovered from being sick and for 90 days after the date of diagnosis of MIS-A or MIS-C. Learn more about the clinical considerations people with a history of multisystem MIS-C or MIS-A.

Experts are still learning more about how long vaccines protect against COVID-19. CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.

Anonymous said...

Variants emerging from vaccines just like antibiotic resistance.same concept

Anonymous said...

We have stupid leaders.if we travel, thete is a quarantine requirement.yet anyone can come here from anywhere with no questions or quarantine.this virus will ping pong back this way.if di idiot and Cuomo are so worried, why aren't they on this?it's like they want covid back. We are suffering from lack of leadership, lack of integrity, massive corruption, etc.fauci is a criminal and those who knowingly join this charade are also guilty.this crisis has been long in the making with vaccine patents before the outbreak!

Anonymous said...

To be fair we can have separate buildings vaxxed and unvaxxed.yhen we can all go in person and live with our choice.
BTW parent knowingly sent their kid to school with covid.not the first time I heard about this.there are no consequences!I say pull the free benefits! Class closed and many quarantines, some sick.rhis is why it spreads.selfish people.i know of adults who were actively oll with it and knowingly continued going everywhere unmasked.this is how it spreads.pwo0le are selfish.in Asia people voluntarily mask from a cold to protect their community.sad USA.

waitingforsupport said...

I will join @12;33 pm... where's my mimosa? Oh here it js...commence y'all!

Anonymous said...

Unvaxxed are a public health threat.

Anonymous said...

TWO POINTS: 1) If there are going to be mandated vaccines for teachers or weekly testing for those who do not want to vaccinated, this means that the DOE is going to know who is vaccinated. I can fairly guess that means that admins will know and will target teachers who choose not to be vaccinated. 2) If there are weekly testing requirements for unvaccinated teachers, it should be done ON SCHOOL TIME AND PAID FOR BY THE DOE!

Anonymous said...

@2:25 you should not risk your health with the vaccine, but others people should risk theirs? Somebody has to risk something, but there is a difference, vaccinated folks are doing what has been asked of them by the government AND the science. Moreover, in NY there are more vaccinated than not, so majority should rule. Lastly, oh hell no..the unvaccinated should not be rewarded with remote teaching especially when they are the same ones, at least on this blog, that claim they do nothing at all. I dont think so.

Anonymous said...

A vaccine mandate is the best idea to come out in a while. If teachers get it, it will help slow this pandemic and maybe end it. Good public health policy. If they refuse, we can get rid of the anti-vaxxers who don't have a medical exemption. These teachers do nothing for our profession. Let them teach in one of those anti-vax Christian schools.

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew either has to stand up to the anti-vaxxers in his own ranks or the mayor. Roll up your sleeves guys. You will lose this one.

Anonymous said...

I would not dream of sending a K to 8 school child to a NYC public school anytime soon. Fortunately, we are all beyond that age group. For many adults, vaxxing is waning shortly. Mask walking outside. Double masking indoors. No eating or socializing inside. No travel, no theatre, no group events. If I head out to the stores and do not like what I see, I leave!

I miss a million things. Exhausted from pandemic. Tired of Zoom despite all the wonderful times it offered. Soaking up some sun, working in the garden, visiting outside, hiking the parks and trails, building up good memories. They will have to tide us over if/when Thanksgiving becomes lockdown. Be attentive to detail. Stay strong. Remain in charge of your own safety!

Whether school personnel should be vaxxed is not even a question...everyone should be vaxxed and proud to display it.

Anonymous said...

This comment is pure falsehood. Nobody has died from vaccine. JJ some rare problems. Nothing with Pfizer/Moderna. No countries are 100% vaxxed. I had shot in February. I'm fine. Do you seriously believe some time bomb will blow me up now? That's Sci fi nonsense.

Anonymous said...

I predicted over a year ago that when a vaccine becomes widely available that there will be a "war" between teachers who choose to be vaccinated and those who choose not to be vaccinated. My prediction has become reality. As you can see from these postings and the ones on the teacher Facebook groups, the war is in now in full effect. Just wait till September.

An endangered CL said...

Land of the free.

Anonymous said...

Public job. They can def require it. Don't want to take it? Easy, find a private job that doesn't require vaccines. No one is forcing anyone to work.

Anonymous said...

Anon23–No job for you at any of the Moskowitz Charters where the vaccines are mandated for all adults.
And if the smallpox vaccine was available for those traveling on Ward Bond’s Wagon Train back in the 1860s—if you didn’t comply-he might have knocked. some sense into you.
And I wonder how FDR’s quality of life would have different after the age of 40– if the polio vaccine was available back in the late 1800’s.
And of course—if you have infant children—just tell the pedestrian—forget about giving your little ones the MMR vaccine.

Anonymous said...

Disinformation from Anon225–There is no country in the world that has been 100% vaccinated.
But -I do think it’s a fact when about 30 or 40 hospital workers in Houston were terminated from their jobs for refusing to take the vaccine.
For heavens sake—they work in a hospital—what’s wrong with those people?

Anonymous said...

My daughter works at Memorial Sloan—and got an email—that all employees must be vaccinated and a strict crackdown on those not wearing masks while on the premises.

Tom said...

Vaccines should be mandated for all NYC employees.

Anonymous said...

2:25 it's not an imposition against my rights to wear the mask, because that's just PETTY in the face of a serious situation that could lead to more outbreaks and closures. I actually got sick from wearing the mask. All of a sudden came down with asthmatic symptoms while working in-person in the freezing rooms, and still dealing with it to a lesser degree. That's my problem, but now that I'm vaccinated, why should I, or anyone, have to keep wearing the mask to accommodate the unvaccinated? Especially all day in school. I could probably get a note seeking an accommodation for the mask, but that's just going to confuse the students. They'll think it's ok leading to other issues.

The unvaccinated don't want to show whether or not they've taken the shot, so that means EVERYONE has to continue wearing masks. Enough already. Everyone is getting sick and tired of the the unvaccinated trying to dictate terms.

Anonymous said...

4:09 I'm not saying anyone should risk their life or their babies!I'm saying people should mask.i have seen staff who refuse to mask.i am ok to go in if people mask.unfortunately, that is not the case.i will reread my mail to see which country had 100%vax and has a covid problem.i don't recall. When I believe that our government loves us, I will trust them. Their history tells another story.Tuskeegee, S. Africa for starters.im not African American btw.i am glad that many people are looking at the ugly truth.maybe we need to divide the country.vaxxed and unvaxxed.if the vaxxed die early of diseases they will never connect to vaccine, the rest of us can then have the whole country.crazy talk...whistle-blower admitted cdc knew mmr vaccine had autism link yet they continue.i teach these kids and it breaks my heart.truly.imagine the life that was robbed from and the families and the grief.look how many autistic kids there are.autism was unusual when I was studying to become a teacher.we all gotta pray...

Anonymous said...

No Vaccines should NOT be forced on teachers WHY? EXPLAIN THIS

If the vaccines are safe-WHY IS A WAIVER OF LIABILITY REQUIRED????

Show me the data showing there are no side effects 5,10 years down the line

You cannot prove 100% that there will be no LONG TERM effects of the vaccines.

Trust the government and CDC??? Do what they say? They are in charge???

IT AMAZES ME THAT YOU CANNOT REMEMBER IN JAN/FEB 2020 WHEN WE WERE TOLD WE DO NOT NEED TO BE WEARING MASKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FYI-to my fellow teachers who will make WRONG assumptions about me- Yes, I taught online, I DID TEACH, I DID DROP SUPPLIES AT MY STUDENTS HOMES-4 TIMES THIS YEAR,I PAID OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR SUPPLIES BECAUSE I NEEDED CERTAIN PROGRAMS, I DID MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO WORK ONE ON ONE WITH THE STUDENTS WHO NEEDED SUPPORT. I HELPED AND TALKED WITH FAMILIES WHO NEEDED IT,
#2-I DID NOT VOTE FOR TRUMP
#3-I PAY MY UNION DUES AND SUPPORT MY UNION
#4-I DID NOT TEACHER FROM ANY ISLAND OR VACATION DESTINATION-I TAUGHT FROM MY HOME!
#5-NOT ALL NYC SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE CREATED EQUAL-I WORK IN AN OLD VERY POORLY VENTILATED BUILDING. REASSIGN ME TO A NEW BUILDING WITH VENTILATION, A/C, AND WORKING FILTERS AND I'LL COME IN WITH BELLS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do NOT prejudge me. I DO NOT trust the government, cdc and certainly not Mulgrew-I am a union member because I believe we are stronger together and hope for change soon! I don't believe in the long term results of the vaccines-WHY? because THERE ARE NONE!!!!

Anonymous said...

Covid 19 has been around since 2019. Operation warp speed started by Trump in 2020 produced amazing results to get 3 effective vaccines in less than a year. We have long term studies on mRNA but obviously not on the COVID vaccine.

It is fairly certain more people will get COVID and die if the holdouts don't get the shots.

The Veteran NY Teacher said...

If the kids can’t get the shots does it really make much sense to mandate it for the building’s staff?

I mean it sounds good…but will it be symbol over substance?

Anonymous said...

@7:45 - Do you have a link to the story that CDC knew MMR caused autism. I've never heard of such a thing. They used to say that it was the mercury, but then they removed the mercury and the cases continued to rise.

I don't think it's a fair comparison when people bring up Pfizer's past troubles, or Tuskeegee, because this entire process is under the microscope. Vaccines are never 100% perfect, but I doubt there will be any intentional shenanigans going on.

@8:11 Operation Warp Speed was effective but the delivery was a complete shambles. It's like a great lesson plan that bombs on delivery.\

@7:46 - Are you Ok?

unknown said...

Variants don't emerge from vaccines... and if they did this would still be a very different concept than antibiotic resistance

unknown said...

Lol at the are you ok comment

James Eterno said...

10:45, Say what you want but I think you inadvertently posted a commercial link that I won't post.plese check it and resubmit.

Anonymous said...

Not sure what time I posted.i might be 10:45 but I do not recall posting a link. If I am that person, I wrotevthat I will look for the mmr link but that you would not post it anway.i did not actually look yet.maybe if I post the names people will find it.idk

Anonymous said...

8:47 it's not symbolic over substance. There's an old saying "you don't throw the baby out with the bath water", my God that really is old. Point being, just because you can't vaccinate one demographic, doesn't mean you don't do your best with another.

Anonymous said...

I'm no fan of the mayor, but I think it's the best plan to mandate vaccinations and for anyone who does not provide proof of being vaccinated or gets some doctor to write a letter for them, make them get tested at least once a week.

I hate to go off topic but there's no place to connect-
Anyone notice in payroll portal that the July 30th check is up but missing all information because of error codes due to a duplicate check? What I was told is that there is a stop in the system to make sure that duplicate checks are not mistakenly sent- and this has to be changed. I certainly hope they fix this ASAP.

Anonymous said...

No. Don’t trust Big Pharma. Until the censorship of legit scientists and doctors who have dissenting opinions stops, I don’t feel I can be fully informed. If you’re not lying to me, then let the people who say you are lying make their case. If you’re not lying it should be easy to rebut. Let dissenting scientists and doctors speak. Otherwise I put you in the pants on fire category.

Anonymous said...

I agree with many statements made by 7:46.

The CDC has a list of 15 recommended vaccines and some of these suggest multiple doses. There are many who believe that there is a connection between all these vaccines and the current illnesses, birth disorders, diseases, developmental disorders, mental disorders, allergies, etc.

I don't get the flu shot and have never gotten the flu. I know people who have been ill after receiving the flu shot.

I feel and identify as CoVid resistant.

I also find that many people who lead unhealthy lifestyles, are sedentary, eat junk, drink in excess, smoke weed, smoke cigarettes, are on all sorts of medications, are sexually promiscuous, etc. also believe in wearing masks and believe the vaccine is the only answer. This makes no sense; to be terribly unhealthy on one end, then mask up and vaccinate?

It is dangerous to rely on the government, social media, media, experts, journalists, etc. to take care of your health. The majority of our health issues are self-imposed.

Anonymous said...

Why not just remove all vax mandates? We really need a measles epidemic. Bring back small pox and the black death. I truly miss medieval times. Oh, and what's with those tetanus shots. Screw em - I prefer rusty nails.

Anonymous said...

Arthur Goldstein calls for mandatory vaccinations in Daily News.

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-require-vaccines-for-nyc-teachers-20210726-424crus2hjgvjfar3l3yhqk7d4-story.html



waitingforsupport said...

@9:59pm...
Omg. This is in the running for funniest post. Levity--I love it!

waitingforsupport said...

@8:32 am...don't be a Debbie downer. A party pooper. A shut em downer...
Live and let live. Folks can decide for themselves right? So if folks want to be "terribly unhealthy on one end then mask up and vaccine" that's their right. Chill

Anonymous said...

The latest from the NY Times:

What we know
Let’s start with a few facts that are clear:

Vaccinated people are nearly guaranteed not to be hospitalized or killed by Covid.

Among children under 12, who remain ineligible for the vaccine, serious forms of Covid are also extremely rare. Children face bigger risks when they ride in a car.

The Delta variant does not appear to change either of those facts.

Millions of unvaccinated American adults are vulnerable to hospitalization or death from Covid.

Given all of this, the most effective Covid-fighting strategy has not changed, experts say: “Shots in arms,” as my colleague Apoorva Mandavilli writes. Or as Dean says, “The biggest problem is that there are a lot of people with no protection.”

Anonymous said...

There is now. Mayor said everyone must or take weekly test.

Anonymous said...

Hopeful news: Caseloads are falling in Britain — as happened in India — suggesting the Delta variant may fade more quickly than initially feared.

Phil Valentine, a Tennessee radio host, scoffed at getting vaccinated. Now hospitalized, he is urging listeners to get the shot.

Anonymous said...

Mainstream media fear mongering my ass. Just real perspective from the Times.

Anonymous said...

@1:15, I asked for the possible MMR link to autism, but I found it in the meantime. It is not very clearcut. For example:

"Did the CDC cover up the data, as Hooker claims? A couple of things to keep in mind, both about the people behind the video and about how epidemiological studies like the one published in Pediatrics work (and explained in more detail in this article from Science-Based Medicine). For starters, the video was narrated by Andrew Wakefield, the British researcher responsible for seeding the questions about vaccines and autism in the first place. In 2010, the General Medical Council in the UK revoked his license to practice medicine and a year later, the journal that published his paper concluded that his findings were fraudulent."

And the "whistleblower" says this: "Reasonable scientists can and do differ in their interpretation of information.” “I want to be absolutely clear that I believe vaccines have saved and continue to save countless lives. I would never suggest that any parent avoid vaccinating children of any race. Vaccines prevent serious diseases, and the risks associated with their administration are vastly outweighed by their individual and societal benefits.”

https://time.com/3208886/whistleblower-claims-cdc-covered-up-data-showing-vaccine-autism-link/

That's just one article, there's a lot of information on this, most of it a muddled mess.

Anonymous said...

Just announced mandated vaccination or testing for all city employees, now inc cops, firefighters and teachers. Masks indoors at work for those unvaccinated

Anonymous said...

7:46 and 8:32 I totally agree.plus the people supposedly in the know never mention any suggestions numberbone being to optimize vitamin D.also to enhance immunity.some partying affects immunity.im not the vice police at all, but people deserve to hear about supporting health.but they would rather just push the vax.
That isn't the mmr article.i will look...also yes I hope there isn't another payroll glitch on July 30.

nerd said...

To any of the teachers against getting the vaccine. That’s fine. Nobody is forcing them to get it. The same way nobody is forcing them to work for the DOE. There are other places to teach.

Some questions:

will vaccinated teachers have the right to refuse to have unvaccinated students ( those 12 and over right now?)

Would vaccinated parents be able to request thei child be placed with a vaccinated teacher?

I think this is all ending up in the courts

Anonymous said...

@10:19 LMAO, a "shut em downer". Never heard that one before. Gotta borrow it.

Anonymous said...

@10:07 - good article. The "mandate vaccinations" movement is going to start picking up steam.

Anonymous said...

Hahaha I identify as covid resistant. That's the funniest thing I've heard all year! Thanks for the chuckle

Anonymous said...

Freedom of choice:people are willing to poison themselves just to go out to eat and drink.when you finally see that the vax doesn't work and will have to keep taking boosters(and if u get sick u will blame the unvaxxed instead of your own foolishness).some are slow learners.like a previous poster stated, why are they so afraid of healthy dialogue?who in their right mind would allow their infant to take a shot in clinical trials and/or take it during pregnancy?studies have not been done so they cannot possibly know if safe or not.im happy to be tested weekly.but what about the vaxxed?are they exempt from testing?just segregate the groups and everyone is happy.

Anonymous said...

Also questions about co-teachers. One 2nd year teacher at work who is always looking for reasons to take days off, beyond the 10, and even before the pandemic, and claims he caught it while taking off an entire week was the first to say he wouldn't vaccinate, while also wondering how he could scheme to work from home, or how he can sue him if he's forced to work without the vaccine, or whatever. You can't make this shyt up.

Of course he's a Republican.

Anonymous said...

I should not have to be around unmasked people in school.if I get sick from their breakthrough cases bec they parry with reckless abandon, I will be blamed.keep the two groups separate imho.

Anonymous said...

Now to all of u who think we should be mandated:what will be when ur exposed to unvaxxed kids?will you behave hatefully and refuse to teach them as well?? Imho if vax is mandated for kids, thete will be parental pushback.remote request?leave city?switch to private schools?who knows?this is a pandemic and the patent came out b4 the pandemic.nih has it.fools!open your mind and don't be sheep before it's too late!

Anonymous said...

@2:16 - if you look at the posting patterns on this board, the only ones behaving "hatefully" towards the kids and "refusing to teach them" are the ones who are "faking it til they make it", "sitting around in PJs", not doing a thing, and squawking conspiracy theories about the vax. Are you in that group?

Anonymous said...

People who fake working don't deserve a paycheck. Why do so many people feel they can freeload and that is ok??

Anonymous said...

Vaccinated AND faking it. That’s my group.

Anonymous said...

How is the test at the school sites? Through the nostrils?

Anonymous said...

@ 6:59 You'll be back in the building. Dont cry to the union about your misbehaved students and poor observations. Everyone can see through through the fakeness.

waitingforsupport said...

@6:59 am...
You and your group help the DOE screw over REAL teachers and encourage parents to enroll their children in Eva's school. You're short sighted. But hey, it's YOUR American way: Do what is best for self. Woo Hoo.

Anonymous said...

Yes nostrils.but I thought I read something about pulling authorizations for tests because of unreliability to distinguish between fly and covid.idk what will be now...