Topline
The 2nd U.S. will not allow a mandate that all New York City public schools employees must be vaccinated against Covid-19 to be put into effect. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday night, but it is possible that the temporary reprieve granted to thousands of workers who are not vaccinated will end soon.
Lenox Hill Hospital Chair for Emergency Medicine Yves Duroseau is given a Covid-19 vaccination by Dr.... Michelle Chester at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, December 14, 2020 in New Hyde Park, Long Island, New York. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images). Getty Images
The Key Facts
A court issued an injunction to block the mandate. It was due to take effect Monday. The mandate case was referred to a three-judge panel to undergo "expedited review." The Staten Island Advance reports that the review could be complete by this weekend. This means that the mandate could still take effect on Monday. All public school employees must have at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, which includes teachers, custodians, and NYPD school safety officers. It does not permit employees who aren't vaccinated to continue work by having their weekly negative tests submitted.
Important Quote
According to Danielle Filson, spokesperson for the NYC Department of Education, we are confident that our vaccine mandate will be maintained after all facts are presented. This is because it is the level of protection that our students and staff deserve.
Important Background
According to the New York Post, more than 80% of school staff have been vaccinated. However, that leaves approximately 28,000 people in the largest city in the country without a shot. This broad mandate, which does not allow for negative testing, was the first of its type in New York and is supported by the United Federation of Teachers union. However, hundreds of teachers joined a lawsuit to stop the mandate. The suit was rejected initially by Judge Brian M. Cogan at Brooklyn's federal court. This led to the appeal.
Continue reading
A federal judge ends the mandate to provide vaccines for NYC teachers (The Associated Press).
NYC mandates vaccines for all public school teachers and staff (Forbes).
New York Post: Judge's decision creates a cliffhanger in NYC teacher vaccine mandate
A twist is that the fed appeals court granted temporary block to NYC teacher vaccine mandate while it is pending review (Staten Island Advance).
Live updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
