California had already mandated that all state workers and those in health care field, even private businesses, either get the vaccine or be subjected to weekly/bi-weekly tests. Now

California first in nation to mandate vaccinations for health care workers

California today issued the first order in the nation that requires COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers, allowing only for religious or rare medical exemptions.

Employees of hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, clinics and other medical facilities have until Sept. 30 to get at least one dose of the vaccination, under the new order issued by Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, California’s public health officer. In the meantime, they must either be vaccinated or undergo mandatory weekly testing, under the state’s previous order issued last week.

California also ordered visitors to hospitals, skilled nursing homes and facilities for the developmentally disabled to be fully vaccinated or show a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours. The order applies only to indoor visits and goes into effect on Wednesday.

The new requirement for medical workers tightens Gov. Gavin Newsom’s move last week to require health care workers and state employees to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.

State health officials were not immediately available to explain why the requirements for health care workers won’t go into effect until the end of September.

That’s a good question: if this is so important, why the end of September, especially when this is just about one simple dose. How does that help? Unless it is the Johnson and Johnson, you need two doses. One dose of Pfizer or Moderna means nothing. If they get it on Sept 30th, they’ll have to wait weeks to get the 2nd, then 14 days before considered fully vaccinated. The difference here, to be clear, is that all healthcare workers must be vaccinated. No testing. Vaccinated. Reports say around 23% of healthcare employees are refusing to get vaccinated. I wonder why people who understand healthcare are resistant? I wonder what happens when lots of healthcare workers, in a system that is already shortstaffed, leave.

But, hey, SEIU is protesting

(SacBee) SEIU Local 1000 filed an unfair labor practice charge against CalHR this week with the Public Employment Relations Board, alleging that Newsom’s administration failed to meet and confer with the union prior to implementing the new rule.

“We’re still protesting the fact that they’re violating our contract,” said Richard Louis Brown, the president. “That’s what the State of California is doing, and that is what the State of California has done under the leadership of this governor.”

The unfair labor practice charge states that CalHR “dodged its legal obligations by unilaterally imposing a deadline.”

Well, that’s interesting. The State can impose all sorts of mandates on citizens, but, not SEIU members, unless they renegotiate the contract? Piss off. You’re government workers. Most of you voted for this. Suck it up.

Elko County rejects governor’s mask mandate

Elko County Commissioners voted Wednesday against complying with Gov. Steve Sisolak’s latest mask mandate and for blocking door-to-door vaccine solicitations, but their actions don’t cover the incorporated cities of Elko, Carlin, Wells and West Wendover.

On the mask mandate, Commissioner Rex Steninger said that the “county must refuse to comply this time. Our local businesses depend upon us refusing. Our emotional and physical well-being of our residents depends on us refusing.”

His motion directed county offices and agents to refuse to enforce the mandate, but he said that those who want to wear masks should feel comfortable doing so.

Could this be the start of a movement, similar to areas declaring themselves 2nd Amendment sanctuaries? Especially since the vast majority of masks do not work.