Nonetheless: at the head of the Empire State since August 24, Governor Kathy Hochul pledged Monday to rigorously apply this vaccine obligation, which had been announced on August 16 by Andrew Cuomo, his resigned predecessor.
“It’s not a role that I appreciate. But I also know, realistically, that there are people who will not return to their jobs, ”she said at a press conference in the Bronx.
PHOTO DAVID DEE DELGADO, REUTERS
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul at her press conference Monday at a vaccination facility
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New York State has more than 450,000 hospital health workers. According to the latest official data, 84% of them were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Among the 145,000 workers in institutions for the elderly, the proportion of vaccinated was slightly lower: 81%.
Supported by the New York State Nurses Union, the vaccine requirement is criticized by other unions, including those representing support workers. Healthcare workers have also challenged it on their own behalf in court. According to them, the measure constitutes an encroachment on religious or individual freedom.
A week of reprieve
In the Big Apple, the measure should not result in immediate layoffs. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that unvaccinated employees of the city’s public hospitals will be able to take advantage of the week to receive a first dose without fear of being out of work. He said he hoped they would return to their post later.
New York City’s public hospitals employ some 50,000 people, about 10% of whom are unvaccinated. While no significant staff shortages were reported Monday in public or private establishments in the megalopolis, adjustments may be necessary for the coming days, especially in intensive care units and operating theaters.
I believe hospitals will be prepared to navigate this period without impacting patient care.
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The Dr Dave Chokshi, New York City Health Commissioner, in a press conference
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For her part, Governor Hochul had already announced last week her intention to declare a state of emergency and to deploy National Guard soldiers in certain hospitals if necessary. She also said she was ready to call on nurses, retired or recruited from abroad, including in the Philippines and Ireland, to make up for the shortage of staff.
But Monday, she especially begged the resistance to be vaccinated.
“To those who haven’t made that decision yet, please make the right choice,” she said. We have a lot of facilities. Many of your employers are eager to give you a dose and let you know that you are part of the family. We need your help to continue. ”
Last-minute vaccines
The deadline seems to have convinced a number of resistance fighters. In the Bronx, one hospital reported that the proportion of its employees who received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine rose from 88% on Friday to 94% on Monday morning. Most of the newly vaccinated workers had subjected themselves to the needle in a pharmacy over the weekend.
Governor Hochul also reported anecdotal information about the rise in the number of healthcare workers who have been vaccinated on Monday, especially in the southern part of the state. It will take some time, she said, before having a precise picture of the new situation on the whole of New York.
However, John Matland should not be expected to leave the ranks of the resistance fighters. In recent weeks, this medical imaging technician at Staten Island Teaching Hospital has become the face of COVID-19 vaccine resistance among healthcare workers in New York City.
Monday morning, on Fox News, he cited religious reasons to justify his refusal to be vaccinated. And he blamed Governor Hochul for endangering the health of New Yorkers.
“It’s a terrible situation,” said the 36-year-old. ” [La vaccination obligatoire] is supposed to happen in the name of health, but it’s not going to help health at all. It will contribute to a big problem as a time of year approaches when people tend to get sick. They won’t have the staff to deal with the situation. ”
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