Michelle Wu defends vaccine passport as omicron tightens grip on Boston

As COVID-19 cases reach record high numbers in Massachusetts and Boston with the arrival of the ultra contagious omicron variant, the city’s mayor Michelle Wu is holding firm in her decision to institute a vaccine requirement for some businesses.

“I know we’re doing the right thing. I won’t be intimidated out of doing the right thing,” Wu said of her decision, after revealing that she faced racist and sexist vitriol in response to the announcement earlier this week.

“It’s so important to make clear decisions, take bold actions, and do what we need to do rather than sit back and wait,” she added. “If we sit back and wait, then it’s on the shoulders of our residents, our families, our small businesses.”

The requirement will go into effect on Jan. 15, and will cover businesses including restaurants, gyms, bars and entertainment venues. It also comes with an employee vaccination requirement. Verification options include one’s CDC-issued vaccination card or a photo of it, another immunization record or a COVID passport app, including the city’s.

Shortly after making her announcement, Chicago’s and Washington, D.C.’s mayors announced similar initiatives. New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco already have similar orders in place.

Wu also addressed the rise of the omicron variant, highlighting her efforts this past week to distribute thousands of rapid test kits to public schools, libraries and community centers.

She added that the Boston Housing Authority “will continue to take down barriers for access to testing and to vaccination,” she said. “We have to close vaccination gaps. That is the number one thing that we can do.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3qqYNUy