When the United States imposed mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for the workforce, there were those who foresaw massive layoffs and another blow to the already precarious economic recovery. But contrary to this, these measures appear to be paying off.
Although they still divide the country, the pro-vaccine decrees have contributed to raising the immunization of the United States against the pandemic.
“So far this has proven to be the most effective strategy for overcoming vaccine resistance,” said Dr. Bradley Pollock, director of the Department of Public Health at the University of California, Davis, as quoted by the Sacramento Bee in October. “It’s more than good, it’s very good.”
About 58% of the US population has been immunized as of November. This represents an increase since August, when the decrees began to be announced.
The administration of President Joe Biden set January 4 as the deadline for employees of large companies to be fully vaccinated, a measure they believe will affect more than two-thirds of the US workforce.
“Vaccination is the best way out of this pandemic,” Biden said.
“I am asking employers to act. Businesses have more power than ever to accelerate our exit from this pandemic, to save lives and protect our economic recovery, “he added.
Private sector
These decrees are in addition to those announced by some large employers, such as United Airlines, which informed its payroll of 67,000 people in the United States, that they should be immunized. Otherwise, they could lose their jobs.
As of this Thursday, about 2,000 had requested medical or religious exceptions. But most of the employees were vaccinated.
Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest chicken and meat processing companies, announced in August that all of its 120,000 employees would need to be vaccinated.
Now about 96% of the payroll is immunized, the New York Times reported.
The Armed Forces, whose active personnel were urged to be vaccinated or face the consequences, reached 95% immunization in all its branches.
Most of the workers want to be vaccinated and agree with the measures. The AFL-CIO – the largest labor union in the United States – affirms that this is “a step in the right direction.”
Endurance
Those who oppose it are more against the imposition of vaccination, rather than against vaccination itself.
This is strongly felt in the police forces, despite the havoc that the virus has wreaked on them.
More than 260 police officers have died from the coronavirus this year, five times the number of officers who have been shot dead, according to the portal that records deaths in the line of duty.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said this week that only 43% of his officers have been vaccinated, and he asked his bosses to suspend the measure that requires firing those who do not get immunized.
“Sadly,” Villanueva said, the decree is “affecting our ability to provide public security services.”
In Chicago, thousands of police officers risk being placed on unpaid leave for refusing to report whether or not they have been vaccinated.
New York City police officers make up about half of the local employees who have applied for religious or medical exemptions.
No religion has stopped its believers from taking a vaccine that scientists say is safe and effective.
Although there is more resistance among professions more inclined to conservatism, it is possible to find opposition in all sectors.
Caleb Macy, who works in a department at NASA, was one of several employees who protested this week at a laboratory in California.
Macy could lose his job if he is not immunized by December 8 – the deadline for federal employees – and if he does not receive the religious exception he requested.
But he says he’s ready. “I am never going to get vaccinated. Because once they tell me that I have to, that’s where I go. When they force you, it is no longer an option, “he says.
Macy claims that he would not accept what he called an “experimental vaccine” under any circumstances.
“It’s not your mom”
Those who resist being vaccinated are receiving support from right-wing politicians who do not save on nouns to disqualify these measures, calling them from an “overreach” to a “dictatorship.”
Despite the enormous scientific evidence on their safety and efficacy, vaccines and other measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic – such as the use of masks – continue to be questioned by leaders of the Republican party, in the most recent face of the culture war in United States.
Jeremy Boreing, founder and CEO of the right-wing publication The Daily Wire, said his company would not enforce such regulations, and would challenge them in court.
“Joe Biden is not your mom. The government is not your mom, and of course your employer is not your mom. We have sought legal support and we are prepared to go to battle against this government and put an end to its lies, ”he said.
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Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
