While America and especially healthcare workers weigh in on President Joe Biden moving to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory, Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul didn’t appear too concerned for those who question the vaccine. Even though numerous hospitals around the country have expressed concerns about healthcare workers quitting over the vaccine mandate, Governor Hochul had a simple solution: “replace them.” 

With healthcare workers having till September 27th to get vaccinated, Gov. Hochul discussed the mandate while visiting Rochester on Wednesday.” To all the healthcare providers, doctors, and nurses who are vaccinated, I thank you because you are keeping true to your oath. To those who won’t, we will be replacing people.”

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Although harsh, Hochul continued, “We are sending out a call statewide. There are facilities, for example, in New York City, that 98% of their staff are vaccinated, they don’t have a worker shortage. We are working closely with these hospitals to find out where we can get other individuals to come in and supplement nursing homes and other facilities.” 

Having a strong opinion about vaccines, this isn’t the first time Hochul has made such harsh comments. On Tuesday, while visiting a power project, she said, “those who refuse, we will find replacements.”

Knowing that she could lose her job over not getting the vaccine, Dr. Sarah Klein of the University of Rochester Medical Center told reporters the realization sunk in when she received a letter from the hospital. “It’s kind of hard to see it in writing. So it was a pretty sad moment and certainly not what I thought things would come to in my career at this point.” 

 

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It isn’t just hospitals that are struggling. Nursing homes also have a hard time finding employees. Kelly Luther gave some insight on the situation, saying, “We always have a number of patients that are waiting for that nursing home bed offer for a variety of reasons that may be delayed but not to the degree that we are facing today. It’s creating a situation in which we have to be more expansive about our reach for those referrals across the western region.”

This piece was written by Jeremy Porter on September 23, 2021. It originally appeared in RedVoiceMedia.com and is used by permission.

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