Healthcare

American and Southwest stand by vaccine mandate, despite Abbott’s ban

Published

2 months ago

October 13, 2021

Staff Writer

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are still planning to comply with President Biden’s executive order regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The order requires all their employees to be vaccinated by Dec. 8t. As a result, they will be ignoring Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s ban on vaccine mandates.

Folks, vaccination requirements work. pic.twitter.com/XuBsOQxGaN
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 9, 2021

Abbott announced his own executive order, effectively banning mandates even from private employers, on Tuesday. “In another instance of federal overreach, the Biden Administration is now bullying many private entities into imposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, causing workforce disruptions that threaten Texas’ continued recovery from the COVID-19 disaster,” Abbott said. “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and our best defense against the virus, but should remain voluntary and never forced.”

Yet both airlines are requiring their employees to be vaccinated by Nov. 24. This comes despite Southwest’s impromptu cancellation of over 2,000 flights over the weekend. At the time, the airline blamed the cancellations on air traffic control and weather conditions. However, SaraACarter.com was unable to verify that any other airline had to cancel near as many flights for the same reasons. This has left many to speculate that Southwest actually cancelled flights due to their employees walking out as a direct result of the mandate.

Just got passed this flyer from a Southwest employee #FreedomFlu pic.twitter.com/Q5gXGhxoma
— Handbrake Poso (@JackPosobiec) October 13, 2021

Reporter Jack Posobiec tweeted out a flyer circulating among the anti-vaxx Southwest employees. Currently, they are planning a protest outside of Southwest headquarters next Monday. The protest will be called “Freedom Not Force.”

Southwest told Reuters it “would be expected to comply with the President’s Order to remain compliant as a federal contractor.” In addition, American similarly said Abbott’s order does not change anything.

You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism.

Healthcare

Joy-Ann Reid claims anti-vaxxers are ‘co-opting the history of actually oppressed people’

Published

2 months ago

October 12, 2021

Staff Writer

Screen Shot 2021 10 12 at 3.58.13 PM scaled

MSNBC Host Joy-Ann Reid called out rock and roll icon Eric Clapton Monday for his stance on anti-vaxxers. Reid mocked Clapton and anti-vaxxers for “act[ing] like their freedom has been taken from them.” Her comments come after Clapton donated a van and £1,000 to a British anti-vaccine group.

“What really stands out about white anti-vaxxers, in particular, is that they act like their freedom has been taken from them,” Reid said. “And they have this weird habit of trying to do that by co-opting the history of actually oppressed people.” Reid featured Clapton in a segment called “The Absolute Worst.”

2 Killed, 10 Injured by Taliban Gunmen at Afghanistan Wedding to Stop Music

On November the 5th, 2021 the founder of Jam for Freedom, Cambel McLaughin, will head to court for hosting a gathering larger than 30 people. Now, their funds are used to help pay for court fees. According to their website, funds also go to “any expenses incurred on the road as we tour non-stop in aid of liberty, mental health and medical choice.”

With Clapton’s donation, the organization has only raised £2,680.

You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism.