“Our health care workers have remained steadfast in their duty to care for thousands of New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. As staffing shortages caused nurses and staff to work overtime shifts for over 20 months, Gov. Hochul has only exacerbated the issue by enforcing a vaccine mandate. To make matters worse, the state has now repealed the religious exemption for the vaccine.

“As our state is already experiencing a staffing crisis, the last thing we should be doing is worsening this appalling situation with increased wait times, loss of ability to perform vital services, and burnt out health workers. Instead of forcing all healthcare workers to get the vaccine or get fired, we should allow for weekly testing for additional precautions to protect patients and staff.

“We should be supporting our health care heroes, not turning them away.”