By: Ian Gargan
The rules around Covid-19 have become so convoluted. The lifting of mask mandates makes it seem like we are almost out of the woods with this pandemic. But New York City residents would need a giant chart to figure out what the rules are for determining when and where to mask up.
Currently, the mandates are different depending on where you'd like to go. Private restaurants will no longer require proof of vaccination. But if you're taking public transit, masks are still required. While Broadway actors stand firm on mandatory vaccines and seem proud to exclude the unvaccinated, municipal workers feel it forces them to choose between personal rights and employment.
Kyrie Irving, a guard for the Brooklyn Nets, has been very vocal about the mandates and their illogical enforcement. Kyrie has not been able to play home games due to his vaccination status. For a recent home game, he purchased a front-row ticket where he was able to sit maskless and watch his team play. He also hugged the players on the court and breathed the same air as his vaccinated counterparts. Unvaccinated players from teams outside New York can also play. This situation caused reporters to ask a lot of questions. And after making the city look foolish, Mayor Eric Adams had an epiphany.
On the 24th of March, Mayor Adams decided to "ease workplace mandates" by offering professional athletes and other entertainers an exemption. This was not supported with any data or studies. He did not claim a change in the science like so many have before him. Instead, Adams stated he thought the rule was foolish since his first day in office. He also said, "This is about putting New York City-based performers on a level playing field," which is crooked politician-speak for "we can't afford to have anyone else leave our crime-riddled city, overrun with rats the size of bagels and homeless junkies." At least the junkies have free needles, thanks to Joe Biden!
Now that we have appeased the New York City elite, I'm sure we will be dealing with the obvious double standard towards municipal workers, right? The people that make sure our day-to-day lives don't miss a beat and have been since the beginning of the pandemic. These jobs must be as important as a basketball player. Wrong! We have not heard anything about the termination of 1,400 municipal workers who lost their job standing up for everyone's rights. The once essential heroes that took care of us and protected us in a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic were treated as if they were disposable. Harry Nespoli, President of the Uniformed Sanitation Men's Association, exclaimed, "There can't be one system for the elite and another for the essential workers of our city. We stand ready to work out the details with the mayor, as we have been throughout this process,". Nurses, firefighters, police, and sanitation workers all still must provide vaccine statuses to remain employed. But thank God Kyrie can play again, forget about the rampant crime rate and subway filled with homeless. Adams aims his focus on the one thing that matters, keeping the NYC elite happy.
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