STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Citing the vaccination rates of the city’s workforce as “absolute proof that it works,” Mayor Bill de Blasio called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to mandate the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for MTA workers.
“I look at this from an atmosphere of goodwill; I think everyone’s trying to balance things. But I think it was fair for someone to say, ‘Well, okay, let’s see what happens in New York City. Let’s see what happens with our public employees,’” de Blasio said.
As of Tuesday, 94% of city workers are vaccinated. Eighty-seven percent of the NYPD is vaccinated, up 17% since the mandate was announced on Oct. 20; 93% of FDNY EMS workers are vaccinated, up 32% since Oct. 20; and 89% of FDNY firefighters are vaccinated, up 31% since Oct. 20, according to the Mayor’s office.
At the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), 88% of its workforce is vaccinated, up 25% since the mandate announcement. In the last few days there’s been a 9% jump in vaccinations at the Department of Corrections, de Blasio said, bringing the agency’s vaccination rate to 67%.
The MTA employs approximately 70,000 people.
“This was the right thing to do. The federal government has done an amazing job, the city of New York lead the way and has shown what’s possible. We’ve been seen as an inspiration to all around the country for mandates at work. Let’s take the next step. I’m calling on the governor [to give her] an opportunity to do something that will really help New York City. Put a mandate in place for MTA employees – it’s time to do it,” he said.
“What I’m saying is now we have absolute proof that this effort worked, and it had a tremendously helpful impact on fighting back COVID. So, I think it’s a great time for the state to act as it will help us out of the COVID era,” he continued.
The governor’s office didn’t immediately return a request for comment when asked if Hochul is considering a mandate and what it would take to implement one.
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November 24, 2021 at 01:14AM
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‘It’s time to do it:’ de Blasio calls on Gov. Hochul to mandate COVID vaccine for MTA employees - silive.com
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