Mississippi News
Gov. Tate Reeves celebrates suspension of COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Gov. Tate Reeves celebrates suspension of COVID-19 vaccine mandate
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has suspended the enactment of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for companies that employ more than 100 workers as lawsuits filed by 26 states, including Mississippi, are considered in the federal judiciary.
Gov. Tate Reeves, who leads the pandemic response for one of the least vaccinated states in America, celebrated on social media the decision of the OSHA earlier this week to suspend the enactment of the mandate, which was not slated to go into effect until early January.
“Another victory for freedom and individual liberty! Another victory for Mississippians! And another loss for Biden and federal overreach. OSHA suspends enforcement of vaccine mandate,” Reeves said on social media.
In September, Biden announced plans to impose coronavirus vaccine mandates on employees of companies and other entities with federal contracts and on companies that employ more than 100 workers. The mandate was immediately met with criticism by Republican politicians, including by Reeves, state House Speaker Philip Gunn, and Mississippi U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Besides OSHA suspending the enactment of the mandate, the Biden administration also has provided more leeway on the portion of his mandate that requires companies with federal contracts to ensure their employees are vaccinated. Under the latest guidelines, the federal contractors are afforded significant discretion in enforcing the mandate and the mandate has been pushed back from December to Jan. 18.
Employees of federal contractors can ask for an accommodation to not be vaccinated based on religious and health reasons. And the company is responsible for deciding whether to grant the accommodation. Even if the accommodation is not granted, the company should not immediately terminate the employment of the worker, though the unvaccinated worker is required to wear a mask and practice social distancing and can be barred from federal property.
According to Roll Call, a company should counsel and consider other disciplinary action for unvaccinated employees before considering termination.
The mandate on large companies gave them the option of requiring regular coronavirus testing for those who refused vaccinations.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Mississippi in its jurisdiction, was the first court to halt the vaccine mandate for companies employing more than 100.
But the 5th Circuit no longer has jurisdiction on the issue. As spelled out in federal law, the multiple lawsuits challenging the mandate were combined, and through a random drawing the Ohio-based 6th Circuit was chosen as the jurisdiction to handle the cases.
Many national pundits have predicted the issue ultimately will be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court. But an article in the National Review surmised that the Biden administration never believed the mandate would hold up in court, but imposed it believing it would help increase the nation’s overall vaccination rate even if it eventually was struck down.
Numerous courts have upheld vaccine mandates on the state and local levels. What is at issue in the lawsuits against Biden is whether his Department of Labor can use federal law to impose the mandate. Federal law gives the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration the authority to issue rules and regulations to ensure workplace safety. The question for the courts is whether the vaccine mandate is a proper use of that OSHA authority.
For much of the pandemic, Reeves imposed mask mandates and other mandates for large swarths of the state. But this past summer as the COVID-19 delta variant surged and overwhelmed hospitals, the Republican governor refused to impose any mandates even as Mississippi became the state with the highest fatality rate per capita from the coronavirus. Mississippi also is one of the nation’s least vaccinated states.
READ MORE: Reeves downplays Mississippi’s highest-in-nation COVID death rate
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Ole Miss women get pair of double-doubles and roll to 83-65 March Madness win over Ball State
SUMMARY: Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin found solace in returning to a different arena in Waco, Texas, following a disappointing previous tournament experience. The No. 5 seed Ole Miss Rebels redeemed themselves with an 83-65 victory over 12th-seeded Ball State in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. Starr Jacobs led the Rebels with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kennedy Todd-Williams and Madison Scott each scored 15 points. Ole Miss dominated rebounding, leading 52-32, and will face fourth-seeded Baylor next. Coach McPhee-McCuin noted the team’s evolution since their last visit and the significance of playing in Texas, where Jacobs feels at home.
The post Ole Miss women get pair of double-doubles and roll to 83-65 March Madness win over Ball State appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 21-23
SUMMARY: This weekend (March 21-23), Mississippi offers a range of exciting events. Highlights include Hal’s Marching MALfunction Second Line Stomp and Jessie Robinson’s blues performance in Jackson, as well as the Natchez Food & Wine Festival and the Natchez Little Theatre’s production of *This Side of Crazy*. There are also numerous exhibitions like *Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South* in Jackson and *Gold in the Hills* in Vicksburg. Other events include the 48th Annual Crawfish Classic Tennis Tournament in Hattiesburg, karaoke nights in Laurel, and a variety of family-friendly activities across the state.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 21-23 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 14-16
SUMMARY: This weekend (March 14-16) in Mississippi offers a variety of events. In Jackson, iconic saxophonist Boney James performs at the convention center, while the JXN Food & Wine festival showcases culinary talents. The LeFleur Museum District hosts a “Week of Wonder,” and several exhibitions, including “Of Salt and Spirit,” celebrate Black quilters. Natchez features the Spring Pilgrimage tours, a reenactment of Annie Stewart’s story, and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In Hattiesburg, comedian Rob Schneider performs, and various events like a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl and a talent show will take place throughout the area.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 14-16 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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