RI State Rep Says Calling For Lifting Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers “Mistake”
Wednesday, September 08, 2021
A Rhode Island State Representative is taking his name off the letter sent this week by a group of legislators to Governor Dan McKee asking him to amend the scheduled vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.
The emergency state regulation (216-RICR-20-15-8) enacted on August 17 requires all licensed healthcare workers and providers be vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 1, 2021 -- which over 30 state reps are asking McKee to provide some leeway.
Rep. Ray Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence) issued the following statement on Wednesday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“When I first signed onto this letter, I did so at the request of several of my constituents who were rightfully concerned about their jobs. As our state continues to economically recover from the pandemic, their concerns about their own economic survival moved me and I agreed to sign the letter,” said Hull.
“Unfortunately, in hindsight, I should not have signed this letter regarding mandatory vaccines for certain professions, such as healthcare workers. My mistake resulted from justified compassion for my constituents, but, as the Chair of the Rhode Island House of Representatives Task Force for COVID-19 Vaccine, I have seen the data which proves that these vaccinations are safe and effective against combating this virus and that our state’s population is better off with more of us vaccinated,” added Hull.
“While I wish for no one to lose their jobs, especially after the grueling 18 months we have just experienced, I realized that I cannot advocate for an individual’s job if they are sick with COVID-19 due to an unvaccinated status. I support Governor McKee’s efforts to end the pandemic and all those I have worked with during the course of our collective battle against COVID-19 and I respectfully request that my name be removed from the letter,” said Hull.
As GoLocal reported Tuesday, through May, at least 16 Rhode Island healthcare workers had died from the virus.
In July, 50 top healthcare groups called for mandating vaccination of healthcare workers. Rhode Island's largest hospital group -- Lifespan and Care New England -- announced this summer that vaccinations will be required of its workers.
Former Rhode Island Health Director Dr. Michael Fine said that for those that refuse to be vaccinated, they have to be fired to protect co-workers and patients — especially at a time where there is an increasing number of breakthrough cases for those vaccinated.
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