Gov. Kathy Hochul Lays Out her Vision for New York: Includes Statewide Vaccination for all School Personnel

By Yehudit Garmaise

     In her first extended address to the people of New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul today relieved everyone who often listened to the former governor of the state, who often spoke at length, when she said, “You will find me to be direct, straight-talking, and decisive.”

     After privately being sworn in as governor shortly after midnight last night in Albany, and then again this morning at 10am, publicly, today at 3pm Gov. Hochul laid out her priorities in her new role as the executive chief of the state, which are combatting COVID, getting aid to New Yorkers, and changing to culture of Albany to one that is more collaborative and collegial.

     Lamenting that “too many are not yet vaccinated: putting themselves and their communities at risk and citing the fact that the US Food and Drug Administration fully approved Pfizer’s vaccine yesterday, Gov. Hochul said that now, “New Yorkers can expect new vaccine requirements.”

     One new requirement that Hochul mentioned she would be implementing statewide is for all personnel who work at the state’s schools must be vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID testing. In addition, the new governor also calling for universal masking in schools.

      Gov. Hochul also said that she is preparing the state to ensure that vaccine booster shots are available, distributed quickly and reliably eight months after New Yorkers received their second shots.

     This morning, when Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked how he felt about the end of the reign of a governor with whom he was often at odds, the mayor smiled, and simply said, “I am glad we are ending that chapter. We have seen the corrupting influence of power.

     “I am happy that we have a new governor. We needed one. I am happy to be turning the page. She is a good person, and together, we will do a lot of good work for the people of this state.”

     “The Bible tells us there is a season for everything under heaven, and I believe with every fiber of my body that this is our time,” said Gov. Hochul, who ended her speech by citing the famous idea of “the man in the arena, who is marred by dust and sweat and blood, with whom former Teddy Roosevelt famously contrasted “with the timid souls on the sidelines.”

     “I will not be deterred. I am willing to be bloodied and marred in the pursuit of doing what is right for the people of this great state.

     “As I undertake the weighty responsibilities before me, know that I have the confidence, the courage, and the ability to lead New Yorkers forward and to make New York proud.”

(Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor)