The nation&#8217;s capital is requiring all children 12 and older to be vaccinated before they begin schooling this fall — a move that could negatively affect black children already disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Though many school districts have moved away from such restrictive measures, Washington, D.C. mandates that children 12 and older be &#8220;up-to-date on required vaccinations before returning this August.&#8221;
But D.C.&#8217;s city council, rather than a school board, <a href="https://wtop.com/dc/2021/12/dc-council-approves-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-for-students/">made</a> the decision to mandate the vaccine despite a Council Office of Racial Equity (CORE) <a href="https://wtop.com/dc/2021/12/report-warns-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-for-dc-students-could-increase-racial-inequity/">report</a> on the legislation that found “enforcement of the bill will exacerbate racial inequity by disproportionately removing Black students from school.&#8221;
&#8220;This may result in increased learning loss, additional negative social and educational outcomes and in blocking students from vital school resources,&#8221; the report found.
Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has not responded to requests for comment from The Daily Wire on this point.
&#8220;Put vaccines on your-back-to-school list,&#8221; D.C. Public Schools <a href="https://twitter.com/dcpublicschools/status/1554486614612664321">tweeted</a> on Monday.
“Our goal is that no child should miss a single day of school,” chief of D.C. Department of Health’s Health Care Access Bureau, Asad Bandealy, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/07/31/dc-schools-covid-vaccine-mandate/">said at a recent news conference</a>. “And that means we need to get started now.”
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Parents and guardians, a new school year is right around the corner!
To help keep kids safe in the classroom, all DC students must be up-to-date on required vaccinations before returning this August.
To find a vaccine location in your ward, visit: <a href="https://t.co/83Edr5v59B">https://t.co/83Edr5v59B</a>. <a href="https://t.co/fu0r5xS18v">pic.twitter.com/fu0r5xS18v</a>
&mdash; Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorBowser/status/1552337127337246721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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About 85% of D.C. students between 12 and 15 are vaccinated against the coronavirus, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/dc-schools-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-hit-black-students-hardest">according to a report from Fox News</a>.
Only about 60% of black students in that age range are vaccinated, the publication noted, emphasizing that strictly enforcing the requirement could cause even more distress to minority communities.
And many high-poverty students already suffered significant achievement losses during the pandemic, a Harvard University study <a href="https://cepr.harvard.edu/news/new-study-highlights-impact-remote-learning-and-offers-insights-targeting-recovery-efforts">found</a>.
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Put vaccines on your back-to-school list. Childhood vaccines, including the COVID vaccine for ages 12+, are required for school. Visit your health care provider, a DC Health mobile clinic, or a school-based health center today! <a href="https://t.co/0RS3mHTAJD">pic.twitter.com/0RS3mHTAJD</a>
&mdash; DC Public Schools (@dcpublicschools) <a href="https://twitter.com/dcpublicschools/status/1554486614612664321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;When districts shifted to remote instruction, students in high-poverty schools were most negatively impacted,” said Thomas J. Kane, faculty director for the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University (CEPR).
“School districts urgently need to reassess their plans and ensure that the scale of their catch-up efforts matches the magnitude of their students’ losses,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;If they don’t, we will see the largest widening in educational inequity in a generation.”
The D.C. Department of Health did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Daily Wire.
A Kaiser Family Foundation survey <a href="https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/kff-covid-19-vaccine-monitor-july-2022/">released in late July</a> found that many parents don&#8217;t plan to get their child vaccinated against the coronavirus, citing &#8220;concerns about the newness of the vaccine and not enough testing or research, concerns over side effects, and worries over the overall safety of the vaccines.&#8221;
&#8220;Additionally,&#8221; the survey found, &#8220;about one in ten parents say they do not think their child needs the vaccine or say they are not worried about COVID-19.&#8221;
The survey also found that 44% of black parents with unvaccinated kids between six months and four years old are concerned that getting their child vaccinated would mean that they take time off work (or that the vaccine would give the child side effects that would require the parent to take time off work).
Similarly, 45% of Hispanic parents expressed fears that they would not be able to get their children vaccinated at a trustworthy place.
Some parents (53%) even view the vaccine as a greater danger to their child&#8217;s health than COVID itself. The survey found that 67% of those whose children have previously tested positive for COVID believe this.
&#8220;We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today’s decision, they can,&#8221; CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0618-children-vaccine.html">said</a> in mid-June. &#8220;I encourage parents and caregivers with questions to talk to their doctor, nurse, or local pharmacist to learn more about the benefits of vaccinations and the importance of protecting their children by getting them vaccinated.”

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D.C.’s Vaccine Mandate Might Disproportionately Affect Black Students, ‘Exacerbate Racial Inequity’

D.C. Mandating That Children Be Vaccinated Before School Begins 

COVID

COVID-19 Vaccine

Muriel Bowser

Vaccine Mandate

Lawyers for 500 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/health-care">health care</a> workers who sued a hospital system over a COVID <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/vaccine-mandate">vaccine mandate</a> said Friday that the workers had settled for over $10 million. 
The workers, who alleged discrimination, had been denied religious exemptions from the NorthShore University Health Care System vaccine mandate. 
“As a result of the settlement, NorthShore will pay $10,337,500 to compensate these health care employees who were victims of religious discrimination, and who were punished for their religious beliefs against taking an injection associated with aborted fetal cells,” Liberty Counsel, which represented the former and current workers, <a href="https://lc.org/newsroom/details/072922-health-care-workers-settle-covid-shot-mandate-for-dollar103-million-1">announced</a>.
According to Liberty Counsel, the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/illinois">Illinois</a>-based hospital system will also change its policy regarding religious exemptions and “provide religious accommodations in every position across its numerous facilities.”
The Christian and conservative legal group also said that if employees had been fired because of a refusal to get the COVID vaccine and had been denied a religious exemption, they could be rehired at their former position within 90 days of court approval of the settlement. 
NorthShore confirmed in a <a href="https://evanstonnow.com/report-northshore-to-pay-10-3m-in-covid-vaccine-settlement/">statement</a> to Evanston Now that the hospital would be changing its policy related to vaccination. 
“The settlement reflects implementation of a new system-wide vaccine policy which will include accommodation for team members with approved exemptions, including former employees who are rehired,” it <a href="https://evanstonnow.com/report-northshore-to-pay-10-3m-in-covid-vaccine-settlement/">said</a>. 
The system also said that it still supports, “system-wide, evidence-based vaccination requirements for everyone who works at NorthShore – Edward/Elmhurst Health and thank our team members for helping keep our communities safe.”
The settlement, which Liberty Counsel said was the first of its kind, does not mean an admission of guilt from the hospital system. 
&#8220;NorthShore continues to deny all claims as to wrongdoing, liability, damages, penalties, interest, fees, injunctive relief, and all other forms of relief, as well as the class allegations asserted in the action. This agreement cannot and will not be construed as an admission of liability on any claim or in any form against NorthShore,” it <a href="https://lc.org/072922NorthShoreSettlementAgreement(FILED).pdf">says</a>. 
Those workers who were fired or quit because of the mandate will get about $25,000 each, and those who asked for an exemption but ended up getting the shot will get $3,000. 
Matt Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, told Evanston Now that the settlement should be “a big wakeup call for employers” about “blanket dismissals” for religious exemptions to the vaccine. 
The Northern District Court of Illinois, a federal court, will still need to give final approval to the settlement.

Preparing injection with covid-19 vaccine

Health Care System To Pay Over $10 Million To Workers Who Sued Over Vaccine Mandate, Lawyers Announce

Health Care

Illinois

Religious Liberty

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles">Los Angeles</a> Unified School District (LAUSD) student COVID-19 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/vaccine-mandate">vaccine mandate</a> was struck down on Tuesday by a Superior Court judge, who ruled that the nation&#8217;s second-largest public school system had exceeded its authority by imposing requirements beyond those of the state of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/california">California</a>.
The decision did not have an immediate effect, as the proposed mandate had been postponed until July 2023, but the district’s school board was resolute in its defense of the policy. It is unclear if board members intend to appeal the decision. 
Let Them Breathe, a California-based organization opposed to vaccine and mask mandates in schools, celebrated the ruling by Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff.
“Judge Beckloff’s ruling confirms that individual school districts do not have the authority to impose local vaccination requirements in excess of statewide requirements,” <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-06/judge-strikes-down-lausd-student-vaccine-mandate?_amp=true">said</a> Arie L. Spangler, a legal representative of the plaintiff. “We are very pleased with the ruling, as it ensures that no child will be forced out of the classroom due to their COVID-19 vaccination status.”
The ruling did not address the school district’s vaccine mandate for district employees, which remains in force. All on-campus school employees within the L.A. Unified School District are fully vaccinated; staffers who refused the COVID vaccine were either fired or received an exemption and an alternate assignment away from school campuses.
Beckloff indicated that he initially believed that the school district’s policy fell short of a mandate since unvaccinated students would be allowed to attend online courses. The content of their education would remain the same, even if the means did not. However, the evidence presented over the course of the case changed his mind. For example, a student identified as D.F., would have been forced out of a magnet program specializing in science and into less specialized online coursework. 
“Thus, while the Resolution is a campus community health and safety measure, it also dictates who may be enrolled and continue to attend particular schools within the district,” the judge explained in his nine-page decision. “If D.F. remains unvaccinated, he will be required to leave his current school with its curriculum and programs to be enrolled in a new school within the district &#8230; where it appears his curriculum would be very different than at his current school. Thus, the Resolution is not merely about how education is delivered or who may be physically present on campus as the court previously viewed it. Instead, the Resolution dictates which school the student may attend, and the curriculum he may continue to receive.”
The ruling’s interpretation is at odds with Governor Gavin Newsom (D), whose administration has argued that L.A. Unified had the authority to implement stricter local mandates. The school district also argued that even if it lost, the ruling should apply only to the plaintiff and not students in the district in general.
Judge Beckloff disagreed, stating, “The court finds no justification for such a limitation given the &#8230; lack of authority to adopt the Resolution.”
Vaccination rates within LAUSD are very high, and transmission rates are low. <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-28/l-a-schools-chief-seeks-delay-of-student-covid-vaccine-mandate">According to</a> the district’s superintendent, 78% of students 12 and up have received two doses of the vaccine as of May, and 84% had received at least one dose.
The state of California has expressed considerable interest in its own vaccine mandate for K-12 education: the Legislature currently requires 10 vaccines without personal belief exemptions, but the COVID vaccine is not one of them, and the <a href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR22-073.aspx">California Department of Public Health</a> has indicated that it will not be added to that mandatory list until the vaccines have received full approval from the FDA; as of June the Pfizer and Moderna have <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-moderna-and-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccines-children">emergency authorization</a> for use in minors as young as six months old and full approval for adults. Any mandate would not come into effect before July of 2023, in line with the proposed timeline of the LAUSD.

US-HEALTH-VIRUS-EPIDEMIC

Judge Strikes Down Los Angeles School District’s Vaccine Mandate

Judge Strikes Down Los Angeles School District's Vaccine Mandate

California

Los Angeles

School Board

Protesters associated with Canada’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/freedom-convoy">Freedom Convoy</a> demonstrated in Ottawa on Friday to protest COVID <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/vaccine-mandate">mandates</a> on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/canada">Canada Day</a>. 
The demonstrations in Canada’s capital city came just months after the Freedom Convoy spent three weeks camped out in the city protesting the government’s vaccine mandates and days after one of the convoy’s organizers was arrested for allegedly not following the conditions of her bail.
“We are going to be peaceful. We are going to be lawful. And if [police] want to try and crack down on us for peacefully protesting on Parliament Hill, then there&#8217;s nothing we can do. We&#8217;ll just have to deal with it at that time,&#8221; <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/freedom-convoy-protesters-canada-day-ottawa-arrival-1.6507855">said</a> Andrew MacGillvray of Veterans for Freedom, a group related to the Freedom Convoy. 
According to Politico, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/01/on-canada-day-trudeau-shows-the-flag-00043840">hundreds</a> of demonstrators showed up to protest government COVID mandates and the leadership of Prime Minister <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/justin-trudeau">Justin Trudeau</a>, who previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-trudeau-will-respond-to-freedom-convoy-with-unprecedented-emergency-power-reports">said</a> protesters were &#8220;trying to blockade our economy, our democracy.&#8221;
Demonstrators waved “F*** Trudeau” flags, and had “Freedom Convoy 2022” gear for sale. 
“Canada has never been perfect, and it’s not perfect now,” Trudeau said during his remarks on Canada Day, the day when the Canadian Federation was formed. “Let’s remember the values that it stands for: Compassion, hope and responsibility, justice, openness and hard work.”
Trudeau has taken heat in recent months for the government’s COVID vaccine mandate for truckers and his government&#8217;s response to the protests.
Pierre Polievre, a candidate running to lead Canada’s Conservative Party and become prime minister, opposes the mandates and walked with anti-mandate demonstrators on Thursday.
“End all mandates. Restore our freedoms. Let people take back control of their lives,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/PierrePoilievre/status/1542610025834655744">tweeted</a>.
The demonstrations also followed the arrest of Tamara Lich, an organizer of the original Freedom Convoy, after she allegedly did not follow the conditions of her bail. Lich, who was <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/freedom-convoy-tamara-lich-arrested-1.6503718">arrested</a> in Alberta, now needs to go back to Ottawa for a court appearance. 
&#8220;Based on everything we knew, she&#8217;s been diligently complying with all of her bail conditions as was noted by the judge at her recent bail review,” one of her lawyers said. 
She was originally arrested and charged with obstructing police, mischief, intimidation by blocking, and other charges related to the February protest.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Attends Canada Day Celebrations In Nation’s Capital

Freedom Convoy Protesters Show Up On Canada Day To Protest COVID Mandates, Trudeau

Freedom Convoy Protesters Show Up In Ottawa On Canada Day

Canada

Freedom Convoy

Justin Trudeau

Roughly 40,000 U.S. Army <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/national-guard">National Guard</a> soldiers — or 13% of the force — who refused to take the mandated <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/covid-19-vaccine">COVID vaccine</a> had one last chance on Thursday, June 30, to get vaccinated before military officials could force members out of the service.
But <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/marsha-blackburn">Sen. Marsha Blackburn</a> (R-TN) introduced <a href="https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2022/6/blackburn-backs-national-guard-members-set-to-be-fired-over-covid-vaccine-refusal-in-new-legislation">legislation</a> on the Guardsmen’s deadline that would ban federal funds used to require a National Guard member to receive the coronavirus vaccine, and prohibit the Secretary of Defense from taking any adverse actions against Guard members who did not comply with the mandate.
Blackburn&#8217;s legislation stands as a guard for the 40,000 Guardsmen who would face termination and ultimately threaten U.S. national security.
&#8220;Our servicemembers are the bedrock of America,&#8221; Blackburn told <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2022/06/30/marsha-blackburn-introduce-legislation-backing-national-guard-members-set-fired-covid-vaccine-refusal/">The Daily Caller</a> before introducing the legislation. &#8220;Firing 40,000 Guardsmen for refusing the COVID vaccine would be both a complete disgrace and a threat to our national security.&#8221;
&#8220;I am honored to stand beside our National Guardsmen and women by introducing this legislation to protect them from President Biden&#8217;s forever pandemic,&#8221; she said.
Blackburn joins several House Republicans who have proposed laws to end COVID mandates, masks, and vaccines.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), a physician, <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1542167230628171777">said</a> on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/twitter">Twitter</a> that <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden">President Biden</a> &#8220;is allowing illegal immigrants of unknown vax status to invade our country every day but is still willing to fire up to 40,000 American heroes.&#8221;
Tennessee National Guard members urged the state&#8217;s governor, Bill Lee, Wednesday to take action against the mandate and sue the federal government if necessary.
Stars and Stripes <a href="https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2022-06-30/tennessee-national-guard-vaccine-mandate-6508334.html#.Yr3okj4d4Vw.twitter">reported</a> Guard members along with their families and friends delivered a petition to Lee&#8217;s office at the capitol.
&#8220;On June 30, hundreds of your Tennessee National Guard soldiers – under an illegal, improper order by the Biden administration’s Department of Defense in defiance of natural law and the United States Constitution – are scheduled to be dismissed from service due to refusal to accept a COVID-19 vaccination,&#8221; the petition states. &#8220;It is your duty before God and the citizens of the great state of Tennessee, sir, to help these men and women. Please stop them from being fired, sir!&#8221;
Data from The Associated Press shows approximately 30% of the guardsmen in six different states and more than 10% still in 43 other states still need the shot. Roughly 7,000 have asked for exemptions, mainly for religious purposes, and about 14,000 soldiers simply refused to bow down to the mandate altogether.
&#8220;When you&#8217;re looking at 40,000 soldiers that potentially are in that unvaccinated category, absolutely there&#8217;s readiness implications on that and concerns associated with that,&#8221; said Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard in an Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-army-only-on-ap-government-and-politics-41f0f24bd26b2f8c4284e1fd396f88b8">interview</a>. &#8220;That&#8217;s a significant chunk.&#8221;
Jensen said military officials would give &#8220;every soldier every opportunity&#8221; to get vaccinated to continue their military career.
&#8220;We&#8217;re not giving up on anybody until the separation paperwork is signed and completed,&#8221; he said. &#8220;There&#8217;s still time.&#8221;
Well, that time has expired.
Pentagon officials said after the June 30 deadline that National Guard soldiers wouldn&#8217;t receive payment by the federal government when activated on federal status — including monthly drills and their annual two-week training period. Even those assigned to work on the southern border or COVID-related missions in various states either have to get fully vaccinated or lose out on payment and participation.
However, states that don&#8217;t require the COVID jab could still allow activated duty members to serve in their respective states and receive state payments.
Last year, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/defense-secretary-austin-orders-national-guard-get-vaccinated-face-los-rcna7131">ordered</a> every service member of the U.S. Military to get vaccinated, saying it is critical to maintaining the health and readiness of the force, The Associated Press reported. In response, at least seven governors asked Austin to reconsider and not enforce the mandate on National Guard members.
Austin declined and said that the coronavirus &#8220;takes our service members out of the fight, temporarily or permanently, and jeopardizes our ability to meet mission requirements.&#8221;
He said Guard troops must either get the vaccine or lose their Guard status.

Back to school vax clinic at FedEx Field

Sen. Marsha Blackburn Backs 40,000 Unvaccinated National Guard Soldiers Facing Termination Over Vaccine With New Legislation

Marsha Blackburn

National Guard

Pentagon

U.S. Military

Unvaccinated

WASHINGTON — Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/matt-gaetz">Matt Gaetz</a> (R-FL) plans to introduce an amendment Wednesday reinstating armed service members who were dismissed for refusing the COVID vaccine.
When the House Armed Services Committee marks up the National Defense Authorization Act, Gaetz will introduce an amendment protecting armed service members who refuse to get the COVID vaccine, reinstating members who were dismissed over their refusal at the same rank and grade, and providing back pay and benefits to the members who were dismissed.
&#8220;I see the impact on our readiness from these mandates,&#8221; he said during a Tuesday afternoon phone interview with The Daily Wire. &#8220;We are hundreds of pilots short in the Air Force and and we&#8217;ve lost a number of pilots as a consequence of these mandates.&#8221;
The Florida Republican expressed frustration to The Daily Wire that the opposition to his amendments does not merely come from Democrats, warning that the leading Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, Mike Rogers (R-AL), has expressed public support for the military vaccine mandate.
&#8220;I hope that number reaches 100% quickly,&#8221; <a href="https://republicans-armedservices.house.gov/news/press-releases/rogers-statement-covid-19-vaccinations-members-military">said Rogers</a> of the number of vaccinated service members in August 2021.
&#8220;That is not my view,&#8221; Gaetz said of Rogers&#8217; remarks, &#8220;and I doubt that&#8217;s the view of a majority of Republicans.&#8221;
As of late May, the Army had discharged at least 742 active-duty soldiers for refusing to get vaccinated, <a href="https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/05/27/number-of-soldiers-booted-vaccine-refusal-doubled-last-month.html">Military.com reported,</a> noting that the number had more than doubled since the previous month.
The publication reported that 3,416 general officer reprimands, widely seen as &#8220;career killers in the military,&#8221; had also been given out to soldiers who refused the vaccine, and the Army had only granted nine out of 4,428 religious exemption applications.
&#8220;These are kitchen table issues in my district because I represent the district that has the highest concentration of active duty military in the country,&#8221; Gaetz explained, emphasizing that after Afghanistan, mental health and &#8220;a sense of self-worth&#8221; among many active duty military and veterans has deteriorated.
&#8220;I saw that in higher call volumes to our veterans service organizations,&#8221; Gaetz said. &#8220;This has compounded that malaise and frustration in our ranks because people feel like they didn&#8217;t have any agency in how the military that they&#8217;ve given their lives to is making decisions.&#8221;
Many of the service members who submitted religious exemption requests got back blanket form letter rejections, the congressman said.
&#8220;That violates the law,&#8221; Gaetz insisted. &#8220;Each exemption is entitled to an individual review, and our service members were denied that opportunity with these blanket form letter rejections.&#8221;
&#8220;Our military is not stronger today as a consequence of these vaccine mandate separations,&#8221; he added. &#8220;It&#8217;s weaker.&#8221;
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/department-of-defense">Department of Defense</a> did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire addressing how many service members had been discharged for failing to get vaccinated, as well as how many religious exemption requests have been filed and how many have been granted.
&#8220;We deserve a military that is apolitical and doesn&#8217;t cater to any ideology other than American success,&#8221; Gaetz said on Tuesday. &#8220;Unfortunately, we now have a military that embraces Critical Race Theory, that teaches socialism at the National War College, and it drives out patriotic Americans who are religious and faith based. Those features of the current military leadership are having a compounding negative effect on the fighting force and our nation&#8217;s readiness.&#8221;

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‘I See The Impact On Our Readiness’: Matt Gaetz Pushes To Reinstate Service Members Dismissed Over The COVID Vaccine

Gaetz Pushes Amendment Reinstating Military Members Dismissed For Refusing To Get Vaccinated

Florida

Matt Gaetz

The Special Olympics has dropped its COVID-19 vaccine requirement ahead of its games in Orlando, Florida, after the state sent a letter to the organization threatening to fine it $27.5 million for violating state law.
On Friday, the Special Olympics announced that athletes and other participants would no longer have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccine “as demanded by the state of Florida officials on May 27, based upon the Florida Department of Health’s interpretation of Florida law.”
&#8220;Delegates who were registered for the Games but were unable to participate due to the prior vaccine requirement, now have the option to attend,&#8221; the organization <a href="https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/news/update-regarding-the-2022-special-olympics-usa-games">said</a> in a press release.
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&#8220;We look forward to welcoming thousands of Special Olympics athletes, families, and fans to an extraordinary 2022 USA Games,&#8221; Special Olympics <a href="https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/news/update-regarding-the-2022-special-olympics-usa-games">added</a>.
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Florida&#8217;s Department of Health <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2022/06/03/special-olympics-caves-on-vax-mandate-after-desantis-drops-the-hammer/">had sent a letter</a> to the group on Thursday notifying them that the rule ran afoul of the Sunshine State&#8217;s laws.
“This letter is notice that the Special Olympics International is assessed a $27.5 million fine for 5,500 violations of Section 381.00316 (1), Florida Statutes, after the Department of Health made repeated attempted to avoid imposing fines against this charitable organization to ensure the 2022 USA Special Olympics could be held in Florida without requiring proof of vaccination from delegates,&#8221; the letter said.
The letter also noted that Florida law “prohibits a business entity, which includes a charitable organization, from requiring any patron or customer to provide documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-infection recovery to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the business entity.&#8221;
On Friday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) <a href="https://www.clickorlando.com/news/politics/2022/06/03/watch-live-at-1015-am-gov-desantis-holds-news-conference-in-orlando/">praised the decision</a> as well as the athletes who participate in the games.
“I can tell you the heart and the determination you see from our Special Olympians is remarkable,&#8221; DeSantis said at a press conference. &#8220;And they’re able to do things that, quite frankly, I don’t think that I would be able to do under those circumstances and so, they really should be admired and commended. And so, this is something that I think is really meaningful for people throughout the state of Florida.&#8221;
For varying reasons, including medical concerns, not all Special Olympians can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, or even want it in the first place. Now, those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to compete in the games, which start on Sunday, June 5.
“This is a really significant event for these athletes and you know, in Florida, we want all of them to be able to compete,&#8221; DeSantis said. &#8220;We do not think it’s fair, or just, to be marginalizing some of these athletes based on a decision that has no bearing on their ability to compete with honor and integrity.&#8221;
&#8220;And so this was important that we engaged in this. I wish it did not have to come to this,&#8221; he added.
DeSantis also blasted the Special Olympics leaders for an &#8220;exclusionary policy.&#8221;
“When you talk about a policy and you talk about an organization, who on their website promotes inclusion, to then have an exclusionary policy,&#8221; Desantis said. &#8220;It’s contradictory, it’s hypocritical, and it doesn’t have the best interest of our athletes at the forefront.&#8221;
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis also expressed her gratitude that more athletes will now be able to play.
&#8220;This is what standing up for your rights is all about &#8211; Isabella will now be able to compete in the Special Olympics because  @GovRonDeSantis fought their vaccine mandate (which is illegal in FL) and won,&#8221; the mother of three and cancer survivor said on Friday. &#8220;Isabella’s smile says everything,&#8221; she said in regard to one athlete who joined the governor at the press conference.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
This is what standing up for your rights is all about &#8211; Isabella will now be able to compete in the Special Olympics because <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovRonDeSantis</a> fought their vaccine mandate (which is illegal in FL) and won. 
Isabella’s smile says everything. <a href="https://t.co/PkGUL3BQi9">pic.twitter.com/PkGUL3BQi9</a>
&mdash; Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaseyDeSantis/status/1532755698169290752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Special Olympics <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=special+olympics&amp;rlz=1C5GCEM_enUS998US998&amp;ei=klObYu77FvyqwbkPwImkqAE&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjujNG_6ZP4AhV8VTABHcAECRUQ4dUDCA8&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=special+olympics&amp;gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyEQguEIAEELEDEIMBEMcBENEDMgsIABCABBCxAxCDATIOCC4QsQMQgwEQxwEQrwEyDgguEIAEEMcBEK8BENQCMgsILhCABBDHARCvATILCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEyCwgAEIAEELEDEIMBMgsILhCABBDHARCvATIECAAQAzIOCC4QsQMQgwEQxwEQrwE6BwgAEEcQsAM6BQgAEIAESgQIQRgASgQIRhgAUOUBWIAFYPgIaAFwAXgAgAG_AogBkAWSAQcwLjIuMC4xmAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&amp;sclient=gws-wiz">began</a> in 1968 with the mission &#8220;to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.&#8221; The group has helped more than five million athletes from around the world in 172 different countries.

Ron DeSantis and Casey DeSantis

Special Olympics Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate In Violation of Florida Law After DeSantis Threatens $27.5 Million Fine

Special Olympics Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate After State of Florida, Ron DeSantis Threaten $27.5 Million Fine

Ron DeSantis

Sports

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and a group of 13 additional GOP senators have introduced a new bill to protect military service members from punishment for declining the COVID-19 vaccine.
The <a href="https://www.cruz.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/americans_act.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots</a> (AMERICANS) Act of 2022 is designed to counter the Biden administration&#8217;s efforts to coerce and punish Armed Forces personnel, including accountability measures to increase transparency.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that the Biden administration is trying to coerce our men and women in uniform to violate their conscience and religious beliefs, let alone on an issue as polarizing as the COVID-19 vaccine. The AMERICANS Act will ensure that these and similar efforts to politicize our military on this issue are blocked,&#8221; Cruz said in a <a href="https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-colleagues-defend-service-members-from-vaccine-punishment-with-americans-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> regarding the bill.
Cruz previously sponsored an amendment to protect service members who refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The senator also offered the vaccine exemption and reporting requirements as amendments to the most recent National Defense Authorization Act.
In addition to Cruz, GOP co-sponsors included Sens. Marco Rubio (FL), Josh Hawley (MO), Roger Marshall (KS), Ron Johnson (WI), Mike Crapo (ID), Kevin Cramer (ND), Rand Paul (KY), John Hoeven (ND), James Lankford (OK), James Risch (ID), Rick Scott (FL), Mike Braun (IN), and Steve Daines (MT).
The bill would specifically prohibit the Secretary of Defense from taking &#8220;any adverse action against a covered member based solely on the refusal of such member to receive a vaccine for COVID-19.&#8221;
The legislation would also reinstate military members who have already been dismissed due to declining a COVID-19 vaccine and &#8220;reinstate the member at the grade held by the member immediately prior to  the involuntary separation of the member.&#8221;
Last month, defense officials told Congress that about 3,400 troops have been involuntarily separated from service for refusing the mandated vaccine, <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/coronavirus/2022/05/10/bill-would-mandate-honorable-discharge-for-all-troops-who-refuse-covid-vaccine-mandate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> the Military Times.
&#8220;Of that group, about 70% have received general discharges, a designation that allows them to receive most veterans benefits and potentially rejoin the military at a later date,&#8221; the report noted. &#8220;The other 30% have received honorable discharges. Congress last year forbade military leaders from issuing dishonorable discharges for vaccine refusal.&#8221;
The Military Times also reported that about 87% of military members are at least partially vaccinated, with nearly 100% among active-duty troops. The deadlines for the Army Reserve and National Guard are still ahead, currently scheduled for June.
Cruz ripped President Joe Biden in January claiming he was “punishing” service members for asking for a religious exemption to the vaccine.
“President Biden is wrong for punishing our Servicemembers over their religious freedom,” Cruz wrote.
“I am pleased to see a judge issued a stay against Biden’s authoritarian vaccine mandate,” he added.
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President Biden is wrong for punishing our Servicemembers over their religious freedom.
I am pleased to see a judge issued a stay against Biden’s authoritarian vaccine mandate. <a href="https://t.co/waFYUmWKCy">https://t.co/waFYUmWKCy</a>
&mdash; Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTedCruz/status/1478388453008191494?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In December, Cruz served as part of a team of conservative lawmakers who filed an <a href="https://www.cruz.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/final_brief.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">amicus brief</a> in the case of U.S. Navy Seals v. Biden.
“Plaintiffs’ religious liberty and the government’s asserted interest in protecting our service members from COVID-19 need not be in conflict, especially where, as here, the individuals seeking an exemption are willing to adopt non-vaccination measures to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19,” the lawmakers wrote.

vaccine

Sen. Ted Cruz Leads Group Of Senators To Defend Military Service Members From Punishment Over COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal

Ted Cruz

Tennis star Novak Djokovic will be allowed to defend his Wimbledon title, as the COVID-19 vaccine will not be a requirement in order to compete in the 2022 Wimbledon tournament. 
The world’s number one player was not allowed to compete in the 2022 Australian Open due to being unvaccinated, and was deported from Australia due to the risk that his “vaccine skepticism posed a risk to public health and good order of Australian society.”
In March, France lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions, clearing the way for Djokovic to play in the French Open at Roland Garros at the end of May. Djokovic will now be allowed to play at Wimbledon following the French Open, with Chief Executive of the All England Club Sally Bolton saying that the United Kingdom does not require the COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter the country. 
&#8220;The requirements set out by government to enter the UK do not include mandatory vaccination, therefore whilst of course it is encouraged, it will not be a condition of entry to compete at the Championships this year,&#8221; Bolton <a href="https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/32498/12599351/novak-djokovic-and-unvaccinated-players-to-be-allowed-to-compete-at-wimbledon-this-summer">said</a>, according to Sky Sports. 
According to Bolton, Wimbledon will be lifting its COVID-19 restrictions that were in place at last year&#8217;s tournament. 
&#8220;We are planning to return to a normal Championships this year,” Bolton said. “And so we don&#8217;t intend to implement any of the Covid-19 measures that we saw last year in any substantial fashion.”
Bolton did say that the tournament will work with public health officials “in case we need to take further action.”  
&#8220;But this means that players will be able to return to their own choice of accommodation,” Bolton continued. “We will see full capacity crowds for the whole event. And we&#8217;re absolutely thrilled to welcome back the wider tennis family to Wimbledon this year.&#8221;
Djokovic has stated that he will skip any tournaments that require the COVID-19 vaccine in order to compete. 
“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” Djokovic <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60354068">told</a> the BBC when asked if he would be willing to miss out on tournaments requiring him to get the jab. 
In March, Djokovic announced that would not compete in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, or the late-March Miami Open, due to the Centers for Disease Control&#8217;s (CDC) vaccine requirement for non-U.S. citizens flying into the country. 
“While I was automatically listed in the [BNP Paribas Open] and [Miami Open] draw I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel,” Djokovic <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole/status/1501682656483893249?s=20&amp;t=NlW285ETNaZ4n9rlSy7cvQ">posted</a> to Twitter. “The CDC has confirmed that regulations won’t be changing so I won’t be able to play in the US. Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments.”
Wimbledon is scheduled to be played from June 27 to July 10.
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to sports@dailywire.com.

Serbia Open – ATP 250 Tournament

Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic Allowed To Play At Wimbledon, No COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement In Order To Compete

Novak Djokovic

Tennis

Vaccines

When Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving learned that professional athletes in New York City had been granted an exemption to the city’s vaccine mandate, he was elated that he would be able to fully compete for a championship, but Irving also realized that there were many who have been forced to either receive the COVID-19 vaccine or risk losing their jobs. 
“I’ve been saying from the beginning with all this, it’s never been just about me, and any special privilege or exemption,” Irving <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/ny-kyrie-irving-unvaccinated-mandates-20220326-223tiiyr3vfrlgxxyjn4bxkiby-story.html">said</a>. “I think there are a lot of people dealing with real consequences from being unvaccinated. And I don’t think it’s talked about enough in terms of our essential workers and people on the frontlines, and it’s just it’s a whole community of us that really want to stand together.”
Irving has thrown his support behind unions that are fighting the vaccine mandate, specifically mentioning one Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) worker in New York who has taken a stand against the city’s mandate. 
Tramell Thompson, who has been on disability leave for the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic, has Irving’s support. 
“He’s leading a community of essential workers and people who are unvaccinated or had a belief that they want to continue to live their lives against the mandate and it’s unfortunate to see that people are getting fired,” Irving <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-kyrie-irving-vaccination-mta-worker-progressive-action-trammell-thompson-20220417-pmmoi3uiazhwnmrn754cna6dny-story.html">told</a> The Daily News last week. “Tramell has done a great job of community together and keeping everybody strong and believing this will change. It’s not an easy job so I commend him for doing what he’s doing. But I definitely support the effort to take care of our essential workers and take care of those who have been affected by this mandate.”
On Wednesday, Thompson joined “Fox and Friends” to discuss workers who have been “coerced” into taking the COVID-19 shot. 
&#8220;Everyone is focused on the people who didn&#8217;t take the shot,&#8221; Thompson told co-host Pete Hegseth. &#8220;Nobody&#8217;s really talking up for the people who were coerced to get the shot, to pay their bills, to take care of their family, to make sure they don&#8217;t lose their home.&#8221;
&#8220;We will never find out the true number of the people who were really coerced to get something that they really didn&#8217;t want to get,&#8221; he continued. 
In February, more than 1,400 city workers were fired from their jobs after refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the city’s deadline. According to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/14/nyregion/nyc-vaccine-mandate.html">The New York Times</a>, “About 900 of the fired staff worked at the Department of Education; about 100 worked at the New York City Housing Authority, the public housing agency; 36 were from the New York Police Department.”
&#8220;My job currently has me written up for discipline because they don&#8217;t like any of the freedom-fighting work that I&#8217;m doing inside or outside of the MTA, and they consistently try to silence people like me through discipline,&#8221; Thompson <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/kyrie-irving-nyc-transit-worker-vaccine-mandate">said</a> on Wednesday. 
&#8220;I&#8217;m here for a purpose,” he <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/kyrie-irving-nyc-transit-worker-vaccine-mandate">continued</a>. “These are God&#8217;s plans, not mine, and I will continue to fight for what I feel is right.&#8221;
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to sports@dailywire.com.

Brooklyn Nets v Boston Celtics – Game One

NYC Worker Supported By Kyrie Irving Says People Were ‘Coerced To Get The Shot’ Due To Vaccine Mandate

Basketball

Kyrie Irving

New York City

New York Police Department (NYPD)

On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to review a lawsuit brought by four New York City public school workers who were required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 
The challenge was against New York City Department of Education and the city&#8217;s vaccine mandate for public school employees, which lower courts already permitted to take effect as legal challenges went on. Justice Sonia Sotomayor had also <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-wont-hear-new-york-city-teacher-vaccine-dispute-rcna24850">reportedly</a> declined an emergency request that the mandate be paused. 
In <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/judges-approve-nyc-teacher-vaccine-mandate">August</a>, Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio and other <a href="https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/578-21/mayor-de-blasio-chancellor-porter-commissioner-chokshi-department-education">officials</a> “announced a new health care mandate requiring all New York City Department of Education [(DOE)] employees to provide proof of first dose of vaccination by September 27th.” 
“Keeping our students and staff healthy is our top priority,” said de Blasio at the time. “To keep our schools healthy and safe, we are now requiring all Department of Education staff to have at least one dose of the vaccine by September 27. Together, we will create a safe and welcoming school experience for our kids.”
The four teachers <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-18/fired-nyc-teachers-rejected-by-supreme-court-in-vaccine-case">involved</a> in the suit were either terminated from their jobs or put on unpaid leave for declining to get vaccinated. 
In a petition to the high court <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-854/204179/20211206133940222_21-%20%20Maniscalco%20v%20NYCDOE%20Petition%20for%20Writ%20of%20Certiorari.pdf">filed</a> in December, the petitioners wrote that the “public-school teachers, respectfully request the Court identify the right of public-school teachers to practice their profession,” adding that the issues brought up in the petition were of “National Significance.” 
“This case presents the Court with the opportunity to address a critical constitutional issue— whether public-school teachers have a fundamental right to practice their profession,” they argued. “Furthermore, the Court can provide needed guidance to the lower courts regarding the flood of COVID-19 vaccine mandate-related cases already pending and expected.”
In an opposition brief <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-854/218131/20220309130144186_ManiscalcoBIO.pdf">filed</a> in March, the counsel for the New York City Department of Education claimed “There is zero evidence in this record indicating that the Department has foreclosed the four petitioners from pursuing their professions.”
The legal pushback over vaccine mandates appears to continue in the city, as a waitress at Yankee Stadium is suing over Mayor Eric Adams’ (D) vaccine exemption for performers and athletes. 
Virginia Alleyne was put on leave without pay after working at Legends Suite Club for 17 years because she did not get the vaccine. The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/04/08/yankee-stadium-waitress-files-lawsuit-against-adams-athlete-vax-exemption/">per the New York Post</a>. 
According to the outlet, the court documents stated, “Allowing professional athletes and performing artists to work without a vaccine while terminating [Alleyne] and those similarly situated for not receiving the vaccine is unquestionably arbitrary and capricious.” 
“Thousands of firemen, policemen, teachers, sanitation workers, restaurant workers and other private sector workers have been fired as a result of this mandate,” the filing noted.
The Post reported, “The suit also challenges the claim that Adams’ executive order was implemented to ensure New York sports team wouldn’t be at a disadvantage if their unvaccinated athletes can’t play, while visiting athletes with the same vax status can.”
The court <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-wont-hear-new-york-city-teacher-vaccine-dispute-rcna24850">declined</a> to hear over 100 cases on Monday and did not provide a reason for the rejection, as is customary. 
On Monday, the Supreme Court also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/supreme-court-declines-to-review-salt-tax-cap-challenge-from-states">refused</a> to review a challenge brought against a tax deduction limit which was implemented by the Trump administration and has continued through the Biden administration.

422209ED-F1B7-414E-B900-CE36D7823D27_1_201_a

Supreme Court Declines To Hear Teachers’ Suit Against NYC Vaccine Mandate

Bill de Blasio

Education

Teachers

The face of ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage will not be in attendance at the 2022 Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to his COVID-19 vaccination status. 
On Monday, ESPN NFL insider Mel Kiper Jr. announced that he’ll be covering the NFL Draft from his home studio in Maryland. 
“The NFL Draft is the highlight of my year and I am looking forward to taking part in my 39th this month on ESPN,” Kiper Jr. posted to Twitter. “For all three days, I will appear from my home studio in Maryland rather than onsite in Vegas as I am unvaccinated from Covid-19. I completely support everyone determining what’s best for their individual circumstances and recognize the value of vaccines. Simply put, my Covid vaccination decision is very specific to my personal medical history. I appreciate my colleagues, particularly my production staff and my fellow commentators, for their support and flexibility. NFL fans are the most passionate in all of sports and I can’t wait for another great NFL Draft.” 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
I am looking forward to being part of the 2022 NFL Draft, my 39th for ESPN <a href="https://t.co/C5ea9NjdqK">pic.twitter.com/C5ea9NjdqK</a>
&mdash; Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelKiperESPN/status/1516152135058178060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Kiper Jr. has been covering the NFL Draft since 1984, becoming the go-to analyst for draft coverage ever since. This year’s draft will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas starting April 28. 
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/espn-reporter-wont-be-on-college-football-sidelines-after-choosing-to-not-get-vaccinated">The Daily Wire</a> reported in September, the Walt Disney company — which owns ESPN — mandated that employees receive the vaccine before September 30th or face termination. (Disclosure: The Daily Wire has announced plans for children’s entertainment content.)
“Employees who aren’t already vaccinated and are working on-site will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols and any employees still working from home will need to provide verification of vaccination prior to their return, with certain limited exceptions,” Disney <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/espn-reporter-wont-work-football-games-in-2021-after-choosing-to-not-get-vaccinated-while-trying-for-second-child-200900072.html">said</a> in its statement announcing the new requirement. “Vaccines are the best tool we all have to help control this global pandemic and protect our employees.”
In September, ESPN anchor Sage Steele called the mandate “sick” in a podcast appearance with former NFL QB Jay Cutler.
“I work for a company that mandates it and I had until September 30th to get it done or I’m out,” Steele <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/espns-sage-steele-rips-companys-sick-vaccine-policy">said</a>.
“I respect everyone’s decision, I really do, but to mandate it is sick and it’s scary to me in many ways,” she continued. “I just, I’m not surprised it got to this point, especially with Disney, I mean a global company like that.”
Steele later apologized, saying that she knew her comments “created controversy for the company.” 
In October, The Daily Wire announced the hiring of former ESPN sports reporter Allison Williams to lead a special sports series that will be available exclusively for Daily Wire members. Williams announced that she would be <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/espn-reporter-wont-be-on-college-football-sidelines-after-choosing-to-not-get-vaccinated">leaving</a> ESPN in September after choosing to not take the COVID-19 vaccine due to her desire to have a second child. 
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to sports@dailywire.com.

2007 NFL Draft

NFL Draft Guru To Cover 2022 Draft From Home Due To Being Unvaccinated Against COVID-19

Football

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