New York’s vaccine mandate program, dubbed “Key to NYC” and requiring all who enter bars, restaurants, gyms, theaters, and the like to show proof of at least one dose of a vaccine, has been a shit-show from its very inception. We can start with its questionable necessity, given that 83% of adults in the state already have at least one dose. We can look at the disparate racial impact, given that younger black residents are far less likely to be vaccinated, leading to a new means of discrimination and protests by BLM. We can realize that its efficacy is questionable given that any moron can print a vaccine card (so long as one is not illiterate) and there is absolutely no way for a business to verify its authenticity. And perhaps we can even think about the small business owners, already closed for many months and handicapped thereafter, who shouldn’t have to take city-provided conflict resolution courses to deal with people who get upset about having to show their medical records to have a bite to eat, as well as the hit to their much needed revenue, and the fact that it is simply not fair to place the burden of enforcing a public health mandate upon them.
If all of that doesn’t demonstrate that this policy was created in an ivory tower, I received a tip from a New York CIty venue who was inspected by the city for vaccine mandate compliance yesterday and had a simple request of the inspectors: show your vaccination card before entering, like any other person who enters. The inspectors had a simple reply: no. The venue was written up for “denying access” and presumably will face some kind of fine by mail.
These were just inspectors on a power trip, right? I contacted the Mayor’s “Office of Nightlife” chief Ariel Palitz, who told me:
“Inspectors are not required to be vaxxed because their presence is for a ‘quick and limited purpose.’ Exactly like unvaxxed patrons who are dining outside may go inside to use the bathroom or pick up food with a mask on.”
But as any establishment in NYC with a food service permit knows, city inspections can sometimes take hours, the inspectors are in people’s faces, putting their grubby hands all over things, and wandering into private areas, and is simply not the same risk as one who enters to use the bathroom and then leaves. Beyond that, the city seems oblivious to how it looks when they say, “All you people need to be vaccinated to come in… but we are special and will come and go as we please!”
Knock it off, Mayor de Blasio. The people are tired of rules for them, but not for you.
Professional Troublemaker ® 