She is demanding change.
Following the latest vaccine mandate in New York City, which came into effect on Monday (December 27), Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) mentioned how New Yorkers had enough of the government’s overreach during the pandemic.
Discussing the matter on Fox & Friends, Malliotakis echoed sentiments by some of her cohorts that Americans were primarily concerned about the federal and local-level implications of these widespread vaccine mandates.
The mandatory vaccine policy, which De Blasio announced early in December 2021, is one of the most stringent in the country. The policy includes the inability to “allow any unvaccinated workers to come to their workplace.” Another segment of the policy included the punishment for businesses that decided to not enforce these rules. This punishment included a starting fine of $1,000 for every infringement. The policy also dictates that these fines would increase for any subsequent infractions.
Given that De Blasio’s term as mayor ends on January 1, many turn to his successor to determine his view on the mandate. Eric Adams, who will become Mayor of New York City at the beginning of January, hasn’t taken a definitive stance on the policy, noting that business leaders in the city were “concerned” about the impact of the mandate. These concerns prompted the soon-to-be mayor to pledge that he would evaluate the decision.
During the broadcast of Fox & Friends, Malliotakis was queried about whether her constituents were supportive of de Blasio’s COVID-19 mandate. To which the New York City Republican said she believed the support was split before adding that many people “have had enough of the overreach of government,” adding that businesses were also concerned.
Malliotakis also highlighted that even though the city had an above-average vaccination rate –– at 89% –– vaccinated individuals were still contracting the virus. She also added that the previous vaccine mandate that only required city workers to get vaccinated had caused issues. To elaborate, the New York Republican highlighted some hiccups in the current system, which she said could be responsible for the lack of transit service.
Malliotakis mentioned that many city workers had called in sick because of contracting COVID-19 and couldn’t be replaced by competent workers as they had been fired for refusing the vaccine.
In her closing remarks, she mentioned that next week the city would have a new mayor who would hopefully “revisit some of these policies.”
