“These are dangerous times that we're living in. . . . Most people that have lived on planet Earth have lived under governments that were totalitarian and authoritarian, and America was different. And it's going to be a sad day where we no longer have a place where we can be free. I really hope for our children and grandchildren that there is going to be a place for them to go.” - Mary Anne
In this episode of the New York Mandate podcast, I talk with Mary Anne, who was an elementary school teacher at a public school in the Bronx. When NYC’s vaccine mandate for teachers was rolled out, she applied for a religious exemption, which was denied. She was told not to come back to work in late September 2021 and received her last paycheck in November 2021.
Like other NYC teachers, Mary Anne was offered a choice between going on leave without pay and taking a severance package that included a year of medical insurance and payment for her accumulated vacation days. She chose the severance package and has since moved to South Carolina with her two children.
Mary Anne talked with me about her religious objections to taking the vaccine, why she chose the severance option, and the practical considerations that led to her moving to South Carolina.
She also talked about the role of natural rights and government in the United States, and how the way civics and history are taught in schools has influenced younger generations of Americans.
Here are some links related to things we talked about during the episode:
Number of NYC homeschooled students has more than doubled since COVID pandemic, data shows
Recent articles like this one in the New York Post have noted the recent increase in children being homeschooled in New York City.
United Federation of Teachers
The UFT is the union that represents teachers in the New York City public school system.
New York City Department of Education
The DOE manages New York City’s public school system, which is the largest in the United States.
Announcement of NYC Department of Education Employee Vaccine Mandate
This is the August 23, 2021, announcement of the vaccine mandate for New York City Department of Education employees by then Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter and Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi.
Order of the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for City Employees and Certain City Contractors
This is the order that former Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi issued on October 20, 2021 requiring New York City municipal employees and contractors, including teachers, to be vaccinated.
Order of the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to Require COVID-19 Vaccination in the Workplace
This is the order that former Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi issued on December 13, 2021 requiring all workers in New York City who work in a workplace or interact with other workers or the public to be vaccinated.
NYC Vaccination Requirement: Workplaces
This is where you can find current information on New York City’s workplace vaccination requirements.
About the New York Mandate Podcast
The New York Mandate Podcast is an ongoing series of conversations exploring the costs and consequences of vaccine mandates in New York City. I’ll be talking with workers who have been directly affected by the mandates, as well as legal and policy experts.
In late 2021, the city introduced a series of requirements for workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. These requirements were put in place through executive orders issued by the administration of former mayor Bill de Blasio.
Current mayor Eric Adams continues to support the mandates, and they now extend to most working people in the city of New York. Private sector employers are required to affirm that their employees have been vaccinated, and public sector employees of city agencies have been terminated or put on unpaid leave for failing to comply with the vaccine requirement.
The views expressed in the New York Mandate podcast are the personal opinions of the people speaking, and are not intended to provide medical or legal advice.
Join the Conversation
Have you lost your job, been put on leave, or lost opportunities to work as an independent contractor as a result of your decision not to comply with a New York vaccine mandate? Did you take a vaccine against your wishes in order to keep your job? Please get in touch with me at NYMpodcast@protonmail.com.
New York Mandate Podcast, Ep. 20: Elementary School Teacher Mary Anne