Mayor Encourages Gov. Hochul, Private Companies to Issue More Vaccine Mandates
By Yehudit
Garmaise
After Gov. Kathy
Hochul was blamed by Attorney General Letitia James for the latest surge in
COVID in New York state, Mayor Bill de Blasio called on the governor not just
to issue a vaccine mandate for the workers of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), but to extend vaccine mandates to any members of the state workforce whom the governor can reach, he said.
“I respect
the governor,” the mayor told BoroPark24 this morning at his press conference. “I
call upon her to use mandates in a way that will save lives and help us get out
of the COVID era.”
The obvious
first place for Gov. Hochul to issue a mandate, the mayor said, is the MTA
because it is a big workforce comprised of 70,000 people, who come in close
contact with all New Yorkers.
“The MTA is a great place to start,” said the mayor, who called the 94% current vaccination rate of New York City “a stunning number.” “If there are any other elements of the workforce whom the governor can reach: the mandates make sense.”
"Mandates work."
In fact,
this morning, Mayor de Blasio said that he thought private sector leaders, such
as United Airlines just did, should issue vaccine mandates to protect their
workers, their families, their customers, and their communities.
“We have
seen some great examples of private sector companies [that have issued vaccine
mandates] that have had a huge positive impact,” the mayor said. “I think every
company should move to it.”
“So, it is time for more mandates.”