Should Vaccines Be Required For CA Workers? Readers Weigh In

San Diego CA

21 February, 2022

2:49 PM

Description

CALIFORNIA — Some California lawmakers are weighing a new mandate that would force businesses to require COVID-19 vaccinations for workers. The bill was immediately met with criticism, with Republicans maintaining it would be government overreach. The bill was introduced Feb. 11 by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks. "Our pathway to stability—and away from a perpetual state uncertainty—is clear: vaccination," Wicks said. In a recent non-scientific survey, we asked readers to share their thoughts on the proposed mandate. The survey — which drew 4,309 respondents — is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment. More than 77 percent of voters in the survey said they did not agree with the mandate and 21 percent of respondents said they did agree that workers should be mandated to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Just under 2 percent said they were unsure. The mandate would stay in place as long as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccines. "People have experienced so much whiplash these past few years when it comes to testing, masks, & vaccines — in the workplace, in our schools, in the businesses they visit," Wicks said Friday. "People are craving stability, and we know enough at this point in the pandemic that we can make that happen." Currently, all health care workers in California are required to get vaccinated. Similarly to the previous question, 71.1 percent said they did not agree with this mandate while 27 percent said they did. Two percent said they were unsure. The Golden State became the first in the U.S. to announce a vaccine mandate for health care workers. The order includes physicians, nurses, technicians, janitors and all other workers in health care facilities. In December, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that all health care workers in California will be required to get a booster shot in addition to the precursor doses of Pfizer or Moderna. We asked readers: Should weekly testing be required for California workers as an alternative for those who don't want to get vaccinated? -58.9 percent said "no." -33.2 percent said "yes." -8 percent were unsure. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher urges Californians to get vaccinated but argued that "telling people they can't feed their family unless they get the vaccine is just wrong," according to the Associated Press. "I trust Californians enough to treat them like adults who can make their own health care decisions. It's unfortunate that a few Democrats in the Legislature don't," he said. Vaccine mandates have created a political maelstrom in the U.S. since the shots became available and California has seen some of the toughest vaccine rules. "I recognize the challenges facing businesses — they don't need to be pulled into a political debate, they want certainty," Wicks said. "Many challenges are a function of people having to make choices in light of all the whiplash. Vaccines are the key to stabilizing the ground beneath our feet." READ MORE: CA Weighs Vaccine Mandate For All Workers We asked readers to share their thoughts on this issue: People need to be free to make the decision that is right for their health and values. COVID is diminishing in scope and severity anyway; we don't need mandates.Weekly testing can still allow for variants to be undetected. Vaccinate all who can please.This is the government over stepping their bounds.No one should be forced to taking a vaccine who doesn't want to. Neither should they lose their job or business over it. I will leave California if this passes!As someone who is vaccinated, I do not agree with this proposed law. We now know from the CDC's own studies that natural immunity is more effective than vaccination alone so why are we not recognizing this? You should be able to make your own health decisions. This is government overreach.Really feel like vaccinations should be required for workers but if someone doesn't want to be vaccinated then weekly testing should be required.Exemptions for doctor approved medical reasons only.If a potential worker refuses the vaccine as a condition of employment and then doesn't get hired, they should also not be allowed to apply for any sort of government assistance as an alternative to a job and work.