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JAMESTOWN – Another protest against New York State’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers is slated to take place in Chautauqua County, this as the mandate took effect Monday.
Known as the “Healthcare Freedom Rally” supporters of healthcare workers are slated to gather Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. outside of UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown.
This is the second such rally in just one week’s time, with dozens of people taking a stand against the mandated vaccination last week ahead of the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting in Mayville.
Specifically, the group called on the county to draft a “freedom ordinance” that would create a constitutional sanctuary.
“We are asking you to stand for the rights of workers, and adopt a freedom ordinance of which we are petitioning,” explained Ashville resident Cathy Abate who helped draft the petition document last Thursday. “We have hundreds, as of today we have over 500 signatures and we just started the petition over one week ago.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul says she is prepared to call in medically trained national guard members and retirees to address potential staffing shortages caused by an approaching vaccine mandate for health care workers.
Her mandate is in question by a federal judge who extended a temporary restraining order against the state’s requirement to October 12. The order does not completely eliminate the state’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers however.
Hochul also says she will sign an executive order to declare a state of emergency allowing health care professionals licensed in other states or countries to come to New York.
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