Coronavirus Update 12-6-2021: Masks — the results

On Friday, I asked three simple questions — Do you still wear a maks? If yes, when? If not, why?

Here are the results (and thank you to the nearly 300 of you that took the time to respond).

WIRTW #606: the “masks” edition

Today is Day 632 of the COVID-19 pandemic, and somehow we are still debating the efficacy of masks. While we ride out the current wave of Delta infections and sort out just how dangerous Omicron actually is, the best advice we still have is to mask up for safety. 

The UK, for example, has just reinstituted its national mask mandate. Meanwhile, here in the US, leaders are urging Americans to wear masks indoors, while some cities have reinstituted indoor mask mandates. Yet, despite the irrefutable science backing the efficacy of masks as among the most effective means to stop the spread of Covid-19, people still resist.

I'd like to know where my readers currently stand on masking, both in use and philosophy. I've put together a short two-question survey — https://forms.gle/MFTS4rJe2WA99bYs7 

Thanks for taking the time. I'll report the results Monday.

Here are the best things I read online the past two weeks that I think you should be reading, too.

Coronavirus Update 12-2-2021: Repeat after me — anti-vax legislation WILL NOT fix workforce shortages

Meet Rep. Al Cutrona, a first-term member of Ohio's House of Representatives, and a Republican who describes himself as "Pro-Constitution." He's also the primary sponsor of HB 218, a bill that would prohibit any employer or school from mandating any non-approved vaccine that uses mRNA technology, and would further require employers and schools to grant exceptions to vaccine mandates for reasons of medical contraindication, natural immunity, religious convictions, or personal conscience.

According to Rep. Cultrona, this law is needed "to address the crisis that the workforce is struggling," to fix workforce "shortages," and to "bring back jobs."

The problem, however, is that vaccine mandates are not causing The Great Resignation. There are lots of reasons why workers are quitting their jobs in record numbers, but vaccine mandates are not one of them, according to the World Economic Forum.

Coronavirus Update 12-1-2021: Other federal vaccine mandates fall (for now)

In the past several days, two federal vaccine mandates have been preliminarily enjoined, joining the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard on the sidelines.

First, the Eastern District of Missouri entered a preliminary injunction against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' federal vaccine mandate for healthcare facilities. That injunction applies to covered employees in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The Western District of Louisiana issued a similar ruling late yesterday, but expanded the scope of the preliminary injunction nationally.

Then, also late yesterday, the Eastern District of Kentucky issued its own preliminary injunction against President Biden's mandatory vaccination rules for the employees of federal contractors and subcontractors. That injunction applies to covered employees in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Work-life balance vs. Antiwork

Compare the following.

From CNN — "In Portugal, it's now illegal for your boss to call outside work hours."

-vs-

From the Antiwork subreddit — "Just a friendly reminder, if your boss texts you to come in at a time you were not scheduled to work, you are not obligated to answer the text."

Coronavirus Update 11-29-2021: What we do know and don’t know about Omicron

While we digested our Thanksgiving turkey, news broke about a new COVID-19 variant making its way around the world — B.1.1.529, now officially named the Omicron variant. 

Here's what we know about Omicron, what we think we know, what we don't yet know, and, perhaps most importantly, what employers should be doing in response. 

Happy Thanksgiving. What are you #thankful for?

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down. And it's not just the turkey, stuffing, and pies (especially the pies). It's the people with whom I spend the holiday. And this year, I'm especially thankful that I am again able to share my favorite day with some of my favorite people. 

Thus, today, as I start my Thanksgiving break, I am sharing what I am thankful for this year.

1. My family (always tops on any list).
2. My health, and that of those I hold close to my heart.
3. Science, which is allowing my family to gather together this holiday season.
4. My new(ish) law firm, which has rejuvenated and reenergized me and my practice.
5. My community of half-witted employment law friends for helping to keep me sane over the past several years.
6. My readers and followers, many of whom have become friends and clients over the years.

Please enjoy your holiday. Be safe. And don't eat too much. I'll see everyone next week.