NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams pointed to a recent surge in vaccinations among city workers as proof mandates are effective in fighting COVID-19.
“I think there is a real place for our firefighters and our police officers — the [vaccination] numbers have increased; I think we should see that as a win,” Adams said during a live interview on 1010 WINS Saturday.
“And we nee dot keep moving towards vaccination; that’s our most potent weapon against COVID,” Adams adding, promising he would not to disrupt or scale back Mayor Bill de Blasio’s mandate taking effect Monday.
New York City saw a huge increase in vaccinations among its blue-collar workforce ahead of the 5 p.m. Friday mandate deadline. Though thousands of workers have attempted to avoid the shot by applying for exemptions.
Adams continued his critique of de Blasio’s approach, saying he would have done more to talk to unions and rally support for the mandate among workers.
“It’s about a conversation with the union leaders to make sure that they are at a comfortable place. And I think we can do that,” Adams added. “What I don’t want to do is to add to the tension already in our city.”
Adams promised to impanel a group of "knowledgable people" to analyze the city's post-COVID economy.
GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa meanwhile trashed the mandate as he recovers from his broken elbow and concussion that he sustained when he was hit by a yellow cab Friday.
“We are going to beg and besiege Gov. [Kathy] Hochul: roll back the mandates. You are putting New York City in inordinate jeopardy, knowingly,” Sliwa said during a separate 1010 WINS interview Saturday. “I would immediately remove the mandates.”
Sliwa also elaborated on his calls for city institutions and other major sites to pay property taxes, essentially saying they would pay before leaving.
“You think Madison Square Garden is going to Secaucus[, N.J.]? Hey, Jimmy Dolan, go ahead, do what the Nets did. It ain’t happening.” Sliwa said. “Columbia University, that sits on an $11-billion endowment yet buys up property in Morningside Heights—no property taxes. You’re paying property taxes.”
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