Cuomo’s ‘COVID Czar’ immediately resigned after losing exemption to ethics laws

Published

7 months ago

May 2, 2021

Cuomo’s right-hand man for COVID-19 in the state of New York immediately resigned after losing an exemption to ethics laws.

Larry Schwartz stepped down after COVID advisors lost their “volunteer” label, thus making them him subject to ethics laws in the state.

Top Cuomo aide Larry Schwartz latest to leave after repeal of ethics rule https://t.co/hN479cx2SE pic.twitter.com/SB5lC6wESQ
— New York Post (@nypost) April 30, 2021

The Post Millennial reported Saturday that COVID-19 advisors had previously not been responsible for disclosing financial information and there were no anti-lobbying provisions in place.

Scwartz has been active in the governor’s response to COVID-19. Cuomo’s secretary Melissa DeRosa tweeted a note of thanks to the now-former COVID “Czar.”

“I can’t think of another public servant who has sacrificed more than Larry Schwartz in their entire career than he has over the last year as a volunteer,” she said.

I can’t think of another public servant who has sacrificed more than Larry Schwarz in their entire career than he has over the last year as a volunteer.

Today I say thank you – and everyone else (esp those who stayed home while he showed up every day) should too.
— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) April 29, 2021

Read the full story here.

Related Topics:Andrew Cuomo covid Cuomo ethics gov cuomo New York

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.