Governor Kathy Hochul Thinks Religious Exemption for Vaccine Won’t Be Upheld in Court

Today marks the day for Governor Kathy Hochul’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. While the majority of healthcare workers are vaccinated in New York State, thousands across New York who chose not to get the vaccine have lost their jobs. However, healthcare workers who are unvaccinated and claiming a religious exemption are still in the clear after two judges issued separate holds temporarily blocking New York from enforcing the mandate on those with religious exemptions.

Despite this extension, Governor Kathy Hochul gave a briefing over the weekend, stating that she thinks the court will rule in her favor: “Now you’ll see by the end of the week, it’ll be 100-percent [of healthcare workers vaccinated]. We’re about 92-94 right now. We’re watching that close, so people are realizing that we’re coming up on a deadline, especially those who thought they were going to get a religious exemption. I do not believe it’ll be upheld in court.”

Source: 13 WHAM