Tampa's vaccine mandate for city workers is now in effect. So, is it working?

The September 30th deadline has now come and gone for all employees in the city of Tampa to get vaccinated.

So, has the vaccine mandate been effective?

“I would say that we should know within about a week,” said Mayor Jane Castor’s Chief of Staff, John Bennett.

Bennett says they are still collecting numbers from various department heads, but it looks as though vaccine compliance among Tampa’s 4,700 workers has climbed from around 40 percent in August when the policy was first announced, to about 70 percent now.

“You know, if somebody is trying to make this a scientific argument for a political argument, they are making a statement that has nothing but trying to comply with the policy,” said Bennett. “Because there are so many options to comply.”

Bennett says the city has exceptions for those with a valid medical or religious exemption. They can also prove they have anti-body immunity.

Other than that, workers who didn’t get the shot must wear N-95 masks while indoors, and present weekly COVID test results at their own expense.

[jaxyt]

The police should arrest the mayor. Never even heard of any elected official "mandating" anything before this ruse.

[crunchyhippo]

I didn't realize that Tampa was such a liberal bastion of Socialism. Note to self - don't apply to the City of Tampa.

[tommybryant]

I hope they all guit but they won't they will cave you must obey and you will obey resistance is FUTILE

[mymaria]

Since you can still get and pass on the virus when vaccinated why only force unvaccinated to get tested weekly? If the point is to protect people from those who have the virus why not test everyone? Unless that is not the point at all.