New York May Call On National Guard To Replace Unvaccinated Healthcare Workers

With tens of thousands of health care employees likely to miss New York’s approaching deadline for mandated vaccinations, Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering employing the National Guard and out-of-state medical workers to fill hospital staffing shortages. In a statement issued on Saturday, Hochul said she plans on declaring a state of emergency that would “allow qualified health care professionals licensed in other states or countries, recent graduates, retired and formerly practicing health care professionals to practice in New York State.” Last month, the New York State Department of Health announced a new mandate that requires all healthcare workers to get at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 27. According to the governor's office, about 16% (70,000 healthcare workers) have not been fully vaccinated to date. Healthcare employees who are fired for not adhering to the guideline will not be eligible for unemployment insurance unless they provide "a valid doctor-approved request for medical accommodation."

Sources from the left and center were more likely to emphasize how COVID-19 death tolls continue to rise across the country, notably in the unvaccinated. Right-rated outlets were more likely to highlight how some "unions and administrators" asked Hochul to postpone the deadline, but also linked to surveys that reported a majority of Americans support vaccine mandates.