If Public Opinion Stands on the Covid Vaccine
Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, and Brianne Dressen, co-founder of React19, discussed the COVID-19 vaccine and the recent outbreak in China during a segment on Fox News.
In a significant move to roll back pandemic-era obligations, the Trump administration directed federal agencies to remove records related to employee COVID-19 vaccination status, including any prior mandate violations or exemption requests. This guidance, issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is a reaction to ongoing lawsuits and reflects a broader effort to dismantle what officials have labeled “harmful pandemic-era policies” from the Biden administration.
OPM director Scott Kupo remarked, “Things got out of hand during the pandemic. Federal workers faced dismissal or punishment for making personal healthcare choices. That should never have occurred. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we’re ensuring that the excesses of that time won’t adversely affect federal employees.”
New Guidance on Religious Expression
In September 2021, former President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14043, mandating federal agencies to require COVID-19 vaccinations for employment. This decision sparked various lawsuits from federal employees, unions, and states claiming it violated constitutional rights and labor laws.
The federal court of appeals recently blocked the mandate’s enforcement, urging the Biden administration to eliminate the order. In response, the OPM advised personnel directors that agencies should not enforce the executive order. It also highlighted that enforcement of vaccination statuses should not factor into employment decisions.
Strengthening Religious Accommodations
In a memo directed at agency leaders, Kupo emphasized that utilizing an individual’s vaccination history or exemption requests in decisions regarding hiring, promotions, or disciplinary actions is prohibited. All vaccine-related data must be purged from both physical and digital employee files, unless the employee opts out within 90 days. Compliance with this directive must be demonstrated by September 8.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment.
