NYC Teachers Union Fights For Medical And Religious Exemptions To COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

[nycbos]

Source: Gothamist

The New York City teachers union has formally requested the state to intervene against Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vaccine mandate for all city Department of Education employees, calling it “draconian” and a violation of due process with less than two weeks to go until the first day of public school September 13th.

The union said the city is not cooperating in carving out medical and religious exemptions to the vaccination mandate, which goes into effect September 27th for 148,000 DOE employees. That includes teachers, administrators, cafeteria workers and custodians who must show proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the effective date.

The vaccine mandate “eviscerates the due process and collective bargaining rights of educators who could lose their livelihoods, health benefits and pensions, and disregards those who for whom vaccination is medically contraindicated or violates a sincerely-held religious belief of employees,” the union said in a filing with the state Public Employment Relations Board Wednesday. They added that in recent bargaining sessions the city has shown it "has no intention of budging from its inflexible stance or including the UFT in any meaningful bargaining concerning the implementation of the City’s vaccination policy.”

Read more: https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-teachers-union-fights-medical-and-religious-exemptions-covid-19-vaccine-mandate?fbclid=IwAR3IAim6wlwGcv6ADU0qhSUNxQjkZmQpFcCx9hS_wc7kJ4PzmZE6iYaG0C4

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This is disgusting. I am normally a big ally of the labor movement, but this is disgusting and hypocritical. The teachers union in New York lobbied for their members to be given priority status. Now they are asking for exemptions for their members. You don't get to have it both ways. You don't get to say my group should be prioritized, and then say my group also deserves exemptions.


For the record that goes for police and fire departments as well.

[MiniMe]

1. Can somebody tell me what possible medical exemptions are out there?

And seriously, your religion thinks it is OK to infect people with a deadly virus?

[hlthe2b]

11. The only legitimate contraindication is allergy to a component of the vaccine, which is rare

AND could be effectively treated IF the person was to go ahead and be vaccinated; Further, the individual WOULD still get the benefit of the vaccine in so doing. This is the entire reason why those with previous more severe allergic reactions to vaccines are kept under observation longer than the average person receiving the vaccine.

Essentially, there are virtually no COMMON valid contraindications.

[MiniMe]

13. Those are 2 that I can see, and I agree with

Being butt hurt because you don't want to wear a mask is not a reason to not wear a mask

[hlthe2b]

16. Even individuals on oxygen from chronic COPD or lung cancer CAN and DO wear masks.

with their oxygen line or mask underneath and I routinely see severely asthmatic children and adults wearing them. So, those excuses are really BS.

[Elessar Zappa]

27. Although I'm better now due to a miracle drug,

last March when the pandemic started my lung function was 21% of normal and I was on 5 liters of oxygen 24/7. I was easily able to wear a mask with no ill effects. Anyone claiming they can’t breathe in a mask is lying.

[hlthe2b]

28. Yes. You are quite right..

stay healthy!

[emmaverybo]

64. Active infection in an immunosuppressed individual--I know of such a case for which the vax is

contraindicated. However, would think when so extreme a situation exists, individual too sick to work. And religious reasons? Jump in the lake. Bunkem. Don’t teach in a public school system if your religion is at odds with secular policy.

[hlthe2b]

65. Technicallly, No.

The currently FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are not live vaccines and therefore can be safely administered to immunocompromised people. Studies have found evidence of reduced immune response to a 2-dose primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series in some groups of immunocompromised people

The vaccine may not produce the immune response desired but it is not going to cause them to become infected NOR have the data shown that immunocompromised are likely to have more reactions. Since a less robust immune response is stimulated in such persons, it is actually the opposite.

Many physicians, especially primary care treating the immunocompromised BELIEVE this to be a contraindication, but actually, it is not. Obviously, they have the latitude to make a judgment call, but it is a misunderstanding of the immune response and of these vaccines. And if the patient is feeling sick for other reasons at the time the vaccine is first considered, it is natural to delay the vaccine, but NOT to declare it contraindicated for the future.

Still, a few of these individuals not receiving the vaccine (or at least not when initially offered) is a risk to them, but one would presume they would take sufficient additional precautions to avoid infection and spread.

[emmaverybo]

68. The doctor of the person I am talking about and several specialists have weighed in against it. She

has severe autoimmune disease and has been fighting internal shingles for years. These have affected several organs and her neurological system. If her immune system is rallied she can have flares and vasculitis.

My daughter, her caregiver, wrote to a doctor working in the Biden administration to ask him not to lump everyone who doesn’t get vaccinated in with anti-vaxxers, citing her companion’s plight (she is bedridden, feeding tube, and has all kinds of meds on board). He wrote back very graciously and said in his upcoming podcast he’d mention that some people legitimately can not take the vax. I imagine such people are a rarity.

Thanks tho for info!

[hlthe2b]

69. With certain stages of some autoimmune disease, the overly activated immune system--

even while being suppressed with steroids or other drug therapy-- is still overly stimulated and that would be a valid concern. The patient is NOT immunocompromised, but rather hyperimmune-stimulated. Not at all the same and yes any vaccine could be an issue at that time, just as many drug therapies could be reactive. In this, those like your friend essentially are like those severely allergic to a component of both mRNA and J&J vector vaccines, because essentially that is the end result--an unwanted reaction.

Another example is that those lacking a spleen can be a valid indication to assume someone might be immunocompromised, yet those who have had their spleen removed for traumatic or even some autoimmune conditions may not actually be immunocompromised, given some have auxiliary spleens that remain or even new splenic tissue that generates post-surgery. Thus, it ultimately falls to the specialist (not primary care) to make the determination as to where the patient is in their course of care and immune response.

If you read the 36-page CDC-ACIP guidelines for administration of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for the purposes of protecting the immunocompromised, they do go into this. There is no conflict between what your friend's specialist physicians are saying/recommending to your friend and what is recommended by these guidelines:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2021-07/07-COVID-Oliver-508.pdf

Biden is not a physician and is trying to speak clearly to the masses--because truly those who should not receive it are a small but important minority. Maybe he is being too "dichotomous" in doing so, but he is trying to protect those who CANNOT receive the vaccine--including children, something I'd hope would be understood. Still, I've always heard him include physician referral for those who aren't sure about receiving the vaccine. And those guidelines are what CDC uses to help states (and OSHA) develop any medical exemption carveouts.

[emmaverybo]

70. Thanks for elaborating and educating. Agree not Biden's job to make the case for a super-minority

of exceptions, most of whom not walking around. Most all can take vax safely and benefit.

[deurbano]

12. Undergoing chemo? Allergic to something in the vaccine? Whatever the reason (IF valid!),

that teacher should get paid medical leave until this is under control... or reassigned to some school district work that can be done remotely for now. (And there should be no religious exemption.)

[JT45242]

17. only 3 medical reasons likely -- should be on leave

1. Currently Having chemo -- should probably be on medical leave
2. Shortly after having received an organ transplant -- should probably be on medical leave during a pandemic
3. Allergic to something in the vaccine (given three options not sure if any common allergen is in all 3)

As for religious exemptions, there aren't that many Christian Scientists or Dutch Reformed that actually have a doctrinal problem with vaccines.

I was a teacher union rep and this is ridiculous. Teachers who refuse to get vaccinated put not only themselves but STUDENTS and other teachers at risk. Get the shot or get out of education. If you won't put students first, get out of the profession.

[MiniMe]

21. Sorry, I should have specified medical exemptions for not wearing a mask

I'm so sick of people saying they can't wear a mask and they have a medical exemption. I really want to know what is a medical exemption for not wearing a mask.

[AllaN01Bear]

43. love your screen nick btw.

i wear one of these ,


?v=1569373827


they can wear a mask.

[MiniMe]

52. Lol, that's how long I've been on DU

It was appropriate when I joined.

[AllaN01Bear]

42. plain and simple , youre fired .i dont care if u have a union or not.

[Danmel]

47. Even Christian Science accepted eliminating religious exemptions in NY

In 2019 when we had a large measles outbreak. I work for the state Assembly and we received a very thoughtful letter from the church stating that while their faith dictates against vaccines they were willing to suborn their objections for the greater good.

[Rhiannon12866]

62. That was my very first question, too. Well said.

[PoliticAverse]

2. What took them so long? - I expected them to do that the day after it was announced.

(Former NYC resident)

[nycbos]

3. The leadership was probably aware...

... asking for teachers to be prioritized, and then asking for exemptions from a mandate we make them look like hypocrites, but they got pushed back from a very loud radical minority so they feel they have to do something.

[bottomofthehill]

4. Shame on the teachers Union.

They are no better than the moronic cops Union on this one. The Union is supposed to protect their members. How does this protect them. We have a fast spreading pandemic running among the unvaccinated. Do the responsible thing, protect yourself, protect your family, protect your co-workers, protect your students. You are well educated people, follow the science, follow the math, get vaccinated for your own good and the good of all

[dsc]

5. I am OK with legit medical exemptions, of which there are a few

but a "but Jesus" exemption is nothing but crap.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. +1

The med exemptions are very few.
But, the religious exemption notion is utter nonsense. The virus can't care about what ancient book one pays attention to.

[Tiger8]

15. And medical excuse must be very specific

Name the specific allergy or whatever.

It can't be a note from a FOX NEWS "doctor of bullshit" like Rand Paul.

[ProfessorGAC]

32. +1

[pnwmom]

8. In NY there are probably many Orthodox Jews who are objecting. n/t

[marybourg]

20. If they are, it's based on their own mishagass.

There’s nothing doctrinal about vaccine refusal. In fact, there’s an ad with many well known Orthodox rebbes urging their followers to get vaxxed.

[pnwmom]

45. Proving my point. They have to urge them because other Rabbis are anti-vcxx.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/nyregion/orthodox-jewish-vaccinations.html

Many prominent mainstream Orthodox leaders in the New York region and in Israel, where the virus has all but disappeared, have advised their communities to get the coronavirus vaccine.

But in ultra-Orthodox circles in New York, where women marry at a younger age and birthrates dwarf those of the general population, the spread of unsubstantiated rumors about the coronavirus vaccine’s potential adverse effects on fertility and pregnancy have been particularly effective in dissuading young women from getting the vaccine, interviews with health officials and community members show. These neighborhoods have some of the lowest vaccination rates in New York City.

SNIP

“Fears about the vaccine and fertility have caught on in the Orthodox community like wildfire,” said Dr. Bat-Sheva Lerner Maslow, a reproductive endocrinologist and founding board member of Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association, or JOWMA, a grass-roots group that has taken the lead on combating misinformation about the coronavirus vaccine circulating in Orthodox circles.

SNIP

In the ZIP code for Borough Park in Brooklyn, which has a large Orthodox community, 28.5 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, compared with a 45.7 percent rate for all city residents. In the ZIP code for South Williamsburg, where several leading Hasidic sects are centered, 35 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. In East Crown Heights, where the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic sect is headquartered, that number is 30.5 percent.

[pnwmom]

46. Those are Orthodox Rabbis. The misinformation is being spread among insular ultra-Orthodox groups,

who are less influenced by the mainstream, well-known rabbis.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/nyregion/orthodox-jewish-vaccinations.html

[paleotn]

33. Tough.

[Danmel]

53. They aren't public school teachers

And many mainstream Orthodox Jews get vaccinated. It is the extreme ultra Orthodox population that is a problem.

[pnwmom]

55. In NY there are ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools that receive state funding.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/10/16/problem-with-new-yorks-ultra-orthodox-jewish-schools-during-pandemic/

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) last week ordered ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools in New York City to close down because they are in areas where coronavirus outbreaks are growing. When some of them didn’t, the governor threatened to withhold state funding that goes to these schools — escalating tensions that have long existed in these communities.

Covid-19 rates in New York — which have been very low in New York City for months — are rising again in areas where ultra-Orthodox Jews have been disregarding orders to follow social distancing rules to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Hasidic Jews — the most traditional of the ultra-Orthodox Jews in the United States — protested the restrictions, setting fires and burnings masks in the streets of Brooklyn.

This part of the story is from an account by a graduate of one of these state-funded but religiously run schools:

First, our elected leaders have for years allowed these communities to flout public health rules, whether it comes to measles vaccination or safe circumcision procedures. The community also has an outsize political influence because it votes as a bloc, and it is growing fast as a result of high birthrates, with tens of thousands of families residing in highly concentrated and insular neighborhoods.

Another problem that has contributed to the spread of the virus is how Hasidic schools provide no education in science. I was educated in one of these yeshivas, and I never heard of cells or molecules, or learned how invisible viruses could spread disease until I was 22 years old and in college.

This is why it is unfathomable that New York state has still not moved forward with enforcing the law that all children, including those attending ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic Yeshivas, are provided with a basic education in science and other secular subjects.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/10/16/problem-with-new-yorks-ultra-orthodox-jewish-schools-during-pandemic/

[Danmel]

58. I know. It's a big issue. But they are not in the union.

Unfortunately, Mayor DiBlasio is very cozy with the ultra orthodox which seems odd but they are a very united voting block in the city. The state department of education promulgated regulations requiring "substantial equivalency" in education because the yeshivas are turning out graduates who can discuss the Talmud with great proficiency but can't t read English and who are mathematical and scientific illiterates.
There is a not for profit called "Yaffed" founded by people raised in the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, community, fighting for oversight and reform.

https://yaffed.org/

The regulations seemed like a no brainer, but they had to be drafted broadly to avoid targeting a specific religion. The Catholic schools, especially the high schools, which are highly competitive and academically very good, raised fierce objection to the proposed regulations, claiming state oversight interfered with their religious freedom and the regs got scrapped, which is a real shame because the ultra orthodox yeshiva "education " does its students a tremendous disservice turning out people who cannot suppport themselves and their families.

Gov. Cuomo was also very deferential to the Haredis. We'll see how Gov. Hochul and the new mayor deal with this.

[pnwmom]

60. It's infuriating about Catholic Schools because Pope Francis has been urging people to vaccinate. nt

[bluestarone]

9. AGREE with the medical exemption, like you stated! BUT

As RELIGIOUS, I say let them die. If they want religious exemption, then they should have to agree to NO HOSPITAL care! (CHURCH CARE ONLY)

[Runningdawg]

24. Amen

[Owl]

6. There should be no religious exemptions. That is nonsense.

[stillcool]

10. they should be exempt from any job

that involves people. They're free to get sick and die, but why should they get paid to endanger the lives of others.

[iluvtennis]

14. SMDH. n/t

[DonCoquixote]

18. I love Unions, I love teachers

but ANY teacher fighting the vaccine exemptions needs to have a swift kick in the arse out the door.

[lapucelle]

19. The rest of NYS is adhering to the guidlines set by Governor Hockul based on CDC recommendations.

That NYS standard mandates vaccination OR weekly testing for those working in educational settings.

It is only NYC that is mandating vaccines without the testing option and without any accommodation for reasonable, documented medical or religious exemptions.

NY approves COVID vaccine or testing for teachers, adds prisons, homeless shelters to rule

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/09/02/ny-approves-covid-mandate-requiring-vaccine-testing-teachers/5695956001/

I've lived my entire life in NY and here we celebrate myriad diverse cultures. Moreover, we strive to respect each other to the extent that we, at the very least, avoid overtly sneering at other people"s religious beliefs, practices, or customs. We see a lot here, and it helps us to learn to respectfully acknowledge the validity of differences. The "because Jesus" snark is not only inaccurate, but it is also superficial, belittling, and contrary to our values.

[Lucky Luciano]

22. Happy to be one of the belittlers. Get the vaccine or a different job.

[lapucelle]

29. In all of NYS, that particular route is being taken by DiBlasio alone.

He shouldn't be surprised that the UFT is going to launch action to protect its members concerning a policy that affects only New York City teachers and school staff and personnel in all of NYS.

I'm not sure why anyone would be happy to belittle anyone's religious beliefs. It makes me think of the Islamophobes who demand that Ilhan Omar remove her hijab when seated in the House.

[Lucky Luciano]

31. In a pandemic, science takes priority over religion.

If they can do remote work, then ok.

[lapucelle]

36. The NYS K-12 mandate follows the CDC recommendations. NYS is following the science,

as it has done throughout the pandemic. The NYS mandate calls for proof of vaccination or the submission of weekly testing by unvaccinated teachers, staff and personnel. It is NYC alone that is requiring vaccination with no defined exemptions and no options for a testing alternative. DiBlasio will be called upon to defend that decision in court.

I work in education, and I specifically worked last year (and will continue to work this year) on covid-related protocols in school buildings. Given the CDC present interim recommendations and the current NYS K-12 mandates, science is taking priority over religion, notwithstanding what the UFT (and many New Yorkers) see as Bill DiBlasio's overreach on the policy.

[Lucky Luciano]

51. :wow:

We’re so screwed. Shit is never gonna end. Maybe I should also stop giving a shit.

[dsc]

23. I am sick to death of being told my freedoms don't matter

because Jesus. Sorry, but you don't have right to endanger us because the sky god.

[lapucelle]

25. Who exactly is telling you that your "freedom doesn't matter because Jesus" in the case at hand?

[dsc]

26. There are still counties in which I can't get a marriage licence

thanks to but Jesus. Women throughout Texas no longer can get abortion due to but Jesus. My tax money goes to schools that won't hire me, nor would permit any children I might have to attend because of but Jesus. Oh, and we are all still having to wear masks because of a bunch of selfish bastards who won't get vaccinated.

Oh and I do I say but Jesus, because no less than the Supreme Court put the lie to the idea this is anything other than but Jesus. Domineque Ray was asking for his execution to be delayed so he could have an Imam with him when he was executed. He asked on 23 Jan. the state told him no, 5 days later he filed his appeal. SCOTUS in 5 to 4 vote, no Imam for you. So spare me the bullshit about how this is anything whatsoever other than giving religious freedom to Christians to the detriment of everyone else. https://www.npr.org/2019/02/08/692605056/supreme-court-lets-alabama-execute-muslim-murderer-without-imam-by-his-side`

[lapucelle]

30. That's not "thanks to Jesus". That's thanks to Republicans.

I live in NYS where about 60% of our 20,000,000+ population are Catholic or Christian. We had marriage equality in 2014 and in 2019, the Democratic governor signed a bill that codified Roe v Wade into NYS state law.

[paleotn]

35. There are NO reasonable or legitimate religious exemptions.

Period. Full stop. EOM.

[lapucelle]

38. That is your belief, and you are entitled to it. That may also be the law in your state, at least

regarding children. As public health law stands in NYS, there are no non-medical exemptions from vaccination requirements for children. However, the CDC is not yet recommending nor is NYS mandating covid vaccination for all eligible students in grades 7-12.

The 2019-2020 changes in NYS public health law were largely the result of a terrible measles outbreak in Orthodox Jewish communities in downstate NY.

[Bleacher Creature]

39. +1000

[Jakes Progress]

34. Goes without saying: Anyone so stupid they won't vaccinate the . . . .

[Xoan]

37. And we wonder why critical thinking isn't learned in school.

[totodeinhere]

40. If it were up to me I would allow medical exemptions but it would require a notarized statement

from a licensed physician. But I would not allow a religious exemption. I am all in favor of the 1st Amendment but the right to religious freedom should not override public best health practices.

[AllaN01Bear]

41. what is wrong with these people?

[AllaN01Bear]

44. i wear 1 of these ,,,,

have no problemos breathing, so gimme a break.

?v=1569373827



they can wear a standard mask.

[PSPS]

48. Is the teachers union leadership full of MAGA like the cop unions?

[eppur_se_muova]

49. Your religion does not trump children's safety. You have a choice, which you are free to make ...

Cling to your absurd "religious" beliefs (which probably have nothing to do with any recognized or formal religious doctrine) or give up your job. It is your choice to make. If your religion requires you to give up your job for other people to be safe, you have chosen a particularly sucky religion.

[Rhiannon12866]

63. +100

[bluestarone]

50. I Don't trust the union on this

I want to see the actual numbers of who is against the vaccination!

[SunSeeker]

54. Idiots. Get a different job if you care so little about kids.

[cadoman]

56. the union needs to remove members who are pushing for this

We can't expect our them to teach our children when they deny science and public safety in the name of "freedumb" and "muh religion".

These aren't teachers--they are dangerous criminals.

[TexasBushwhacker]

57. Here's an exemption to your contract

Take a hike!

[Mysterian]

59. So the union thinks the anti-vaxxers have the right to infect other teachers

[PortTack]

61. NO!! Go find another job

[usajumpedtheshark]

66. Another examples of Americans fighting for their right to kill each other

Next we will have people protesting against the enforcement of DWI laws

[Steelrolled]

67. More hate incoming!

[Violet_Crumble]

71. I'd quit my Union if they started that sort of crap...

What is it with religious people demanding everyone respect their religious right to spread Covid everywhere? There shouldn't be any religious exemptions. Pardon my French, but fuck them. Any religion that tells its followers not to protect themselves and their community against a disease that will kill many and leave others with permanent damage to their body isn't a religion. It's a death cult.

As for those very very few who do have legitimate medical reasons for not being vaccinated. If they're a front line worker and they object to being put in a role where they don't have physical contact with others, they're a selfish wanker. I don't care if they want to whine at me about their medical problems, my patience has reached peak I-Don't-Give-A-Fuckl-About-Those-Who-Don't-Give-A-Fuck-About-Anyone-Else. If they can do their job from home without spreading Covid to others, then stop whining and deal with the really crappy hand we've all been dealt.