Today, the Department of Labor issued their “Emergency Temporary Standard” to protect workers from COVID-19.
This ruling requires companies with under 100 employees to either:
(1) Implement and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy…
…or if the company wishes to allow unvaccinated employees to remain employed, they must:
(1) maintain a roster (with proof) of each employee’s vaccination status, (2) not allow employees who receive a positive test to come into the office, (3) require weekly testing for on-site unvaccinated employees, (4) requires masks to be worn by all unvaccinated employees indoors.
Editorial: I have no words to say except that I am praying the impending lawsuits are successful and overturn this ruling. When you combine (1) this new mandate with the (2) 10x increased OSHA fine levels proposed in the “Build Back Better” bill going for a vote this week [$5,000-$70,000 to $50,000-$700,000] it adds up to some pretty scary consequences for non-compliant businesses.
Regardless of your politics, it’s important to fight back against this mandate. Right now, the unvaccinated are losing their rights (or at the very least their dignity by being forced to wear a mask and $100’s a month for required testing), but who will lose their rights next? If you’ve ever stood up for a marginalized group of society, stand up for the unvaccinated right now. Put aside any partisan politics and unite behind those that do not wish to take this vaccine.
P.S. It should be noted that I am pro-vaccinations and am vaccinated against COVID-19. I am however against centralized control of personal health choices.
- References:
- OSHA ETS: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20211104
- Build Back Better bill (ref. Sec. 21005): https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text
- USCode 29. Sec 666(a): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/666
P.P.S. This is day 11 of 30 in my challenge to write every day for 30 days.
Josh Newman 