PROVIDENCE – In an open letter sent Jan. 14, more than two dozen researchers and epidemiologists at Brown University School of Public Health urged the Providence City Council to require that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city employees be extended to public safety workers.
The letter, which is signed by 32 faculty and staff members, points out that public safety employees, including police and fire fighters, often have direct contact with residents.
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“There are community members who are particularly vulnerable to the most severe outcomes associated with COVID-19, including older adults, those with preexisting medical conditions, those who are immunocompromised and those who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine (including young children),” the letter reads. “Carving out an exception for some city employees puts the public’s safety at risk.”
Across the country, public and private employers have issued vaccine mandates, the letter says, adding that vaccination also helps keep more workers on the job by preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19.
“Employees should model the behavior of what it means to be a good citizen; and that includes getting vaccinated to protect our community and those most at risk,” the letter reads.
More than 80 police officers had not gotten their first shot by the Jan. 14 vaccine deadline for city workers, prompting Council President John J. Igliozzi to introduce legislation designed to prevent unvaccinated officers from being fired.
The legislation was passed on to the council’s finance committee, which will review it before returning it to the council for a vote.
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN contributing writer.
