Flashpoint: Could feds, states or biz sector make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory? Transparency act; serving victims

Drexel University professor Dr. Robert Field visits Flashpoint to talk about the COVID-19 vaccine and how it could become mandatory in certain scenarios.
Drexel University professor Dr. Robert Field visits Flashpoint to talk about the COVID-19 vaccine and how it could become mandatory in certain scenarios. Photo credit Courtesy of Dr. Robert Field

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — On the latest edition on Flashpoint, host Cherri Gregg takes a deep dive into the mass effort to get COVID-19 vaccines into as many arms as possible.

In recent days, there has been a surge of new coronavirus cases in parts of the U.S. As cities and states look to reopen and move past the pandemic, could they make vaccination mandatory? Colleges and universities are beginning to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for students wishing to live on campus in the fall. How widespread will this become?

Could cruise ships, resorts, gyms, and other businesses follow suit? How different will life look for those who opt to get the shot versus those who opt out? Dr. Robert Field, professor of law and of health management and policy at Drexel University, walks us through possible scenarios.

City Council Majority Leader Cherelle Parker visits Flashpoint to talk about the Dr. Walter P. Lomax Transparency in Business Act, which went into effect this month.
City Council Majority Leader Cherelle Parker visits Flashpoint to talk about the Dr. Walter P. Lomax Transparency in Business Act, which went into effect this month. Photo credit Courtesy of Cherelle Parker

The newsmaker of the week is the Dr. Walter P. Lomax Transparency in Business Act. The trio of bills was passed by Philadelphia City Council last December and went into effect this month.

The new law requires that all businesses seeking city contracts worth more than $100,000 disclose a myriad of information, including demographic data and that all information be posted in the city's website. City Council Majority Leader Cherelle Parker is the sponsor of the bill package and discusses what it seeks to accomplish.

Read more about the legislation below.

The Patriot Home Care Changemaker of the week is Melany Nelson, executive director of Northwest Victim Services. The nonprofit provides support to individuals and families who fall victim to crime by assisting with funeral expenses, relocation, navigating the criminal justice system and more.

Since the pandemic began, the number of homicides and shooting incidents have increased significantly, as has the work of NVS. Nelson discusses their efforts, the impact of the pandemic and more.

Melany P. Nelson, director of Northwest Victims Services, is the Patriot Home Care Changemaker of the Week.
Melany P. Nelson, director of Northwest Victims Services, is the Patriot Home Care Changemaker of the Week. Photo credit Courtesy of Melany P. Nelson

Flashpoint airs every Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KYW Newsradio 103.9FM and 1060AM. It also airs at 5 a.m. Sundays on B101FM and WPHT 1210AM, at 6 a.m. on WOGL 98.1 and TDY 96.5 and 6:30a.m. on 94.1 WIP.

Subscribe to the Flashpoint Podcast on the Audacy app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts by searching "Flashpoint."

Featured Image Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Robert Field