Why Are Police Unions Protesting Vaccine Mandates?

Police unions are suing their cities over vaccine mandates.

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By Daphne Lee, News Editor In New York City, trash piled up and some fire houses shut down right before the November 1 vaccine mandate deadline for government workers.   It seemed like the city was descending into chaos. But it didn't. Some city employees rushed to get a last-minute COVID shot, driving the vaccination rate among the city workforce up from 86% to 91%. The moral of the story is that trash pickup has resumed as usual.   But police unions across the country are still fighting the mandates in court or negotiating with their local government leaders. Today's Top Story Why Are Police Unions Protesting Vaccine Mandates? COVID-19 has killed more law enforcement officers than any other work-related threat. So why are they pushing back against vaccinations?   In some cases, police unions seem more opposed to the idea of a mandate than the vaccine itself. Vaccination rates among police officers in major cities are on par or even better than national average. Around 85% of NYPD employees and over 70% of Los Angeles police officers are vaccinated.   Williang Lang, MD, a former White House physician, says that even if the officers agree that vaccines work, they don't like being told what to do by the government.   On the other hand, the NFL has seen huge success in driving vaccination rates by implementing strict rules and financial penalties in the league. Without ever having a mandate, nearly 100% of all NFL players and staff are vaccinated. Perhaps the NFL strategy would work better for police officers and firefighters who dislike mandates. Know More Whether COVID-19 vaccination is mandated or incentivized, it's an essential tool for ending the pandemic. Unvaccinated police officers are putting themselves and their community in danger. "They are at higher risk of getting the disease as part of their occupational exposure," Lang says. "They're also at greater risk of infecting somebody else in the public if they happen to be infected." Feel Better Misinformation also plays a role in law enforcement's skepticism about the vaccine. Some officers claimed that natural immunity from a previous infection offers greater protection than the vaccine. That's not true at all. Lang says that if we take the time to understand and answer people's concerns directly, they often come around. READ MORE There's More to 100% Orange Juice Than Sugar You know you want to opt for OJ when you're too lazy to peel an orange. A new study suggests that 100% OJ may help reduce oxidative stress or inflammation and therefore lower the risk of chronic diseases. 100% fruit juice gets a bad reputation because it has natural sugar, but the polyphenols in fruit juice can help block some of the sugar absorption. READ MORE CDC Lowers Lead Poisoning Threshold for Children Lead exposure at any level is dangerous for children and their long-term health. The CDC lowered the blood level reference value from 5 mg per deciliter of blood to 3.5 mg for evaluating lead poisoning. This new standard means that more than 500,000 children are considered to have been poisoned by lead. Lead can seep through chipping paint and water pipes, which can cause organ damage, behavioral problems, and seizures. READ MORE   Monique Rainford, MD, a member of Verywell's Medical Advisory Board, thinks exercising part of a self-care routine. But sometimes it gets hard. We all know we should exercise, but on some days we just don't have the time. So I combine something I need to do with something I like to do—watching my favorite TV show while exercising. Monique Rainford, MD OB-GYN, Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medicine   Keep Reading   ■ Yes, 12 Gallons a Week Is a Ton of Milk. Slate     ■ Why Rapid COVID Tests Are So Expensive and Hard to Find. ProPublica     ■ How Cement May Yet Help Slow Global Warming. The Economist More From Verywell Different Ways to Treat Dry Eye READ MORE How to Manage Eczema Symptoms READ MORE COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids 5-11 READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.       You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy