Thursday, January 27, 2022

Is Your Company’s Vaccine Mandate Legal?

Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court ruled against workplace vaccine mandates.
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By Paola de Varona, News Editor
Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court ruled against workplace vaccine mandates. Now, some companies are rethinking their policies. Starbucks recently canceled its requirements for vaccination or testing. And a few other companies are following suit.
 
But does this mean your company might rescind their policy next? Not exactly.
Today's Top Story
Is Your Company's Vaccine Mandate Illegal?
The Supreme Court has blocked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees of large companies.
 
Here's why. The Court is keeping OSHA from enforcing the mandate because they say it was a public health measure that went beyond the administration's authority to regulate occupational hazards. In a separate decision issued on the same day, the Court ruled healthcare facilities that get funding from Medicare and Medicaid (which are divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services) can require employees to be vaccinated. The difference lies in the nature of the work.
 
Some companies are taking that as a sign to cancel their pending vaccination policies. But this ruling doesn't mean these requirements legally need to be canceled. And it doesn't keep companies from implementing new COVID mandates, either.
Know More
There's no federal law prohibiting companies from issuing vaccine mandates. As long as companies aren't violating local or state laws, they can require vaccination or testing with some exceptions. But some states, like Montana and Tennessee, are passing laws to get around this.
Feel Better
We'll likely see vaccine mandates evolve in the coming months.
 
The White House could go back to the drawing board and set specific mandates for businesses like meatpacking plants and grocery stores, where the risk of contracting and spreading COVID is high. Some employers already have or are considering adding requirements for a booster shot, too.
READ MORE
Compared to previous variants, Omicron reportedly has a shorter incubation period—around two to four days—meaning symptoms will develop faster after exposure.
You Might Have Hybrid Immunity
If you're vaccinated and still came down with COVID, I have good news for you: You now have something called hybrid immunity. A new CDC study found that people with prior infections and vaccines were the most protected against COVID during the Delta surge. This isn't the first time researchers have found that natural immunity can offer protection alongside your shots. But the jury is still out on how hybrid immunity will work against Omicron.
READ MORE
How Do KF94s Compare to Other Masks?
You might've seen a different kind of face mask cropping up lately. Instead of sticking out like a beak, it folds flat while still contouring close to the face. These are called KF94s, which are masks made in South Korea that filter 94% of particles. If you're looking to upgrade your face mask routine, consider them. They only have a 1% difference in filtration from N95 and KN95s, and they might be a bit more breathable for long-term wear.
READ MORE
 
It can be difficult to navigate through the myriad of mask options to pick one that's right for you. But Karl Minges, PhD, MPH, interim dean at the School of Health Sciences at the University of New Haven, simplified the process in an interview with Verywell.
What matters the most in mask selection is a snug fit.
Karl Minges, PhD, MPH
Interim dean at the School of Health Sciences at the University of New Haven
 
Keep Reading
  On Substack, COVID Misinformation Is Allowed to Flourish. Mashable
 
  Meet the Kovids. These People Share the Same Name as the Pandemic. The Washington Post
 
  Are Better Things Coming? Inshallah. The New York Times Magazine
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