NYC Mayor Adams Receiving Backlash for Lifting Mandate for Athletes
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing a heater from New Yorkers who are angry over the mayor’s sudden about-face to partially life the employee vaccine mandate in the…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 17: New York Mayor Eric Adams speaks during the 2022 New York State Democratic Convention at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel on February 17, 2022 in New York City. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave the keynote address during the second day of the New York Democratic Convention where the party organized the party’s platform and nominated candidates for statewide offices that will be on the ballot this year including the nomination of Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing a heater from New Yorkers who are angry over the mayor's sudden about-face to partially life the employee vaccine mandate in the City to exempt professional athletes and performers who are unvaccinated.
The decision, which was made official during a press conference at Citi Field with front office members of the New York Yankees and Mets in tow, will mean players like unvaccinnated Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving can now play in games in New York City again. Irving has played in only 20 games this year, all of them on the road.
Adams, who was criticized by the likes of Kevin Durant about a week and a half ago for keeping the mandate in place, is now getting criticism form blue collar workers.
The New York Post chronicled stories of several workers who had lost their jobs because they didn't get the jab against the virus, including Elissa Embree, who worked at Citi Field as a waitress for Aramark, and hasn't been able to get back to work because she is unvaccinated.
Meanwhile, the mayor's opponents are taking pot shots, including his opponent in the 2021 mayoral election, Curtis Sliwa, who was one of many online to point out that Adams received a $1.5 million campaign donation from Mets owner Steve Cohen.
Irving is eligible to play Sunday when the Nets host the Memphis Grizzlies. The Yankees open the season April 7 at Yankee Stadium against Boston, while the Mets have their home opener on April 15 against Arizona.
