Ethics & Religion
August 11, 2021
Column #2,087
How To Increase Vaccinations
By Mike McManus
While 70% of Americans have been vaccinated with at least one shot to
protect them from Covid-19, more than 80 million adults are
unvaccinated.
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll of 1,888 adults, 10% plan
to "wait and
see" and 14% said they will definitely not get vaccinated, and 6% would
do so only if required.
There were striking differences by political perspective. Some 86% of
Democrats have been vaccinated, but only 61% of independents and 52% of
Republicans.
President Joe Biden asserted, "Right now too many people are dying or
watching someone they love die and say, 'If I'd just got the vaccine.'"
In a somber address from the East Room of the White House, he asserted,
"This is an American tragedy. People are dying who don't have to die."
Why are the unvaccinated hesitating? Some 53% said the vaccine is too
new, or are worried about side effects; 43% simply don't want to be
vaccinated, and 38% don't
trust the government.
Therefore, it is essential that employers require the vaccination of
employees.
President Biden has led the way by requiring all federal employees to be
vaccinated. That will impact the 4 million people directly employed by a
federal agency. However, it could affect many more when federal
contractors are included - another 3 million. He also asked the Defense
Department to add a Covid-19 shot to the list of required vaccinations
by the military.
According to the Pentagon, 1 million troops are fully vaccinated and
237,000 have received one shot. But the military services vary widely in
their vaccination rates. The Navy said that 74% of all active duty and
reserve sailors with at least one shot. The figure in the Air Force is
65% of active duty and 60% reserve forces are at least partially
vaccinated. But the number for the Army - by far the largest service -
is closer to 50%.
"It's an American blessing that we have vaccines for each and every
American, It's such a shame to squander that blessing," The President
forcibly asserted, "This is not about red states and blue states. It's
literally about life and death, life and death."
The Administration hopes it will nudge private companies to push their
workers harder to get vaccinated. "I think we have reached the tipping
point and Biden's announcement will provide a lot of air cover for
companies and boards of directors who have difficult decisions facing
them," said Jeff Hyman, a Chicago-based business author and recruiter
for startup companies.
Delta and United Airlines are requiring new employees to show proof of
vaccination. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are requiring workers to
disclose their vaccination status, though not requiring them to be
vaccinated.
But fewer than 10% of all employers have said they will require all
employees to be vaccinated. However, some major companies have taken
that step. Facebook vice president Lori Goler stated, "As our offices
reopen, we will be requiring anyone coming to work at any of our U.S.
companies to be vaccinated."
Since June 10, the investment bank Goldman Sachs employees have been
required to report their vaccination status to enter the office. Google
became their first major tech company to announce a vaccine mandate for
employees coming to the office later this fall. Microsoft announced it
will require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors and guests
starting in September.
Only vaccinated employees are allowed in Morgan Stanley's New York
offices at this time. Tyson Foods, a major meat and poultry producer,
announced it is requiring its U.S. workforce to be vaccinated by October
1, and all other employees by Nov. 1. It is the largest U.S. food
company to implement such a mandate. CEO Donnie King tells employees
that the company will also provide $200 to frontline team members who
get the shot.
United Airlines is requiring all U.S.-based employees to get vaccinated
- and provide proof of vaccination. It is the first major airline to do
so.
Walgreens, the pharmacy giant, is requiring all U.S. workers to be fully
vaccinated by Sept. 30. Walt Disney is requiring all of its new salaried
and non-union hourly employees to get vaccinated within two months.
Sadly, however, most employers have made no such requirements. Many
employers are turning away from mandates, and instead 74% are simply
urging their employees to get vaccinated.
Alarmingly, many hospitals and nursing homes are failing to require
vaccinations of employees.
I believe this gentle approach should be set aside and a mandate should
be required.
As President Biden put it, forcibly asserted, "This is not about red
states and blue states. It's literally about life and death, life and
death."
_________________________
Copyright (c)2021 Michael J. McManus, a syndicated columnist and past president of Marriage Savers. To read past columns, go to
www.ethicsandreligion.com. Hit
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