Unvaccinated lawmaker Vickie Paladino gets waiver to re-enter NYC Council chamber

Unvaccinated Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino had slammed the NYC vaccine mandate.
Gregory P. Mango

Councilwoman Vickie Paladino was allowed to solid votes in individual at Metropolis Corridor for the primary time on Thursday after receiving a waiver from the town’s vaccination mandate.

Council officers confirmed that Paladino (R-Queens) — who has refused to be vaccinated towards COVID-19 — can be allowed again within the physique’s chambers after receiving the opt-out from the Council’s authorized workers and a unfavorable coronavirus check.

The strikes after the freshman lawmaker was fiercely criticized by Jewish teams for evaluating New York’s vaccination mandates and passport insurance policies to Nazi Germany, earlier than ultimately apologizing for the remarks.

“Councilmember Paladino does have a waiver and she or he has been examined, so she is allowed on the grounds,” newly minted Council Speaker Adrienne Adams instructed reporters.

Paladino declined to reply questions on how she certified for the waiver and the way typically she is required to be examined. Beforehand, she participated remotely in proceedings through a video linkup.

The top of the chamber’s Republican caucus, Minority Chief Joe Borelli, mentioned Paladino obtained the opt-out from the Council’s authorized workers, but additionally declined to supply additional particulars.

The Speaker’s Workplace couldn't instantly present specifics — together with how typically Paladino have to be examined to realize entry.

Adams has continued insurance policies applied by her predecessor, Corey Johnson, who required that lawmakers and staffed be vaccinated and put on masks throughout in-person conferences at Metropolis Corridor.

Councilwoman Paladino beforehand in contrast the NYC’s vaccine insurance policies to these of Nazi Germany.

Gregory P. Mango

Reems of knowledge collected by the town Division of Well being present the vaccines are efficient at slowing the unfold of COVID and vastly cut back the prospect of hospitalization or demise.

The maneuverings got here per week after Paladino ignited a firestorm by evaluating the Council’s vaccine insurance policies — which mirror necessities imposed by Metropolis Corridor on its workforce and personal employers — to Adolph Hitler’s reign of terror.

“I don’t want to indicate you my papers. This isn't Nazi Germany,” the lawmaker instructed NY1 in a televised interview final week.

She later apologized for the remarks.