Tens of thousands of New York health care workers are facing the Covid-19 vaccination deadline, and as a result, could lose jobs as soon as today. The state-imposed deadline for them to take the coronavirus vaccine is today.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, last month, imposed that all hospitals and nursing home staffs have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Home care and adult care workers, on the other hand, are required to be vaccinated, under the rules, by October 7. However, some workers are questioning the rules in the courts.
As of last week, 84% of the hospital workers in the state were reportedly fully vaccinated. The number of other people who had received one shot wasn’t precise. According to the state Labor Department, those who lose their jobs will not be entitled to unemployment benefits.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, in a statement, says she is planning a state of emergency declaration. In addition, she is considering plans to bring in the National Guard and employ workers from other states and countries. This contingency plan will become effective if staffing issues become dangerously low.
As of today, according to Johns Hopkins University data, the U.S. has recorded over 42.9 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nearly 688,000 deaths. And according to the CDC, over 183 million Americans have been fully vaccinated.
