Biden’s administration has been under scrutiny for its recent takes on curtailing the pandemic. A policy that provides leniency with safety protocols and stresses more towards vaccine mandates has been criticised by many since there is still a majority of the right-wing people who are not in support of getting the vaccine.
Biden’s vaccine mandate to be scrutinised by the Supreme Court:
Apart from general critique, the vaccine mandate faces ample legal challenges. The Supreme Court will scrutinise Biden’s vaccine mandate. It includes the requirement for businesses with more than a hundred employees to be entirely administered with the vaccine and requires healthcare staff to be completely vaccinated.
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However, the Supreme Court should not delay the mandates as they fall in line with the general public’s safety, and a delay could heavily compromise that. Like those in Kentucky and Georgia, state courts have blocked the vaccine mandates imposed by Biden as they fail to see the need to confer an emergency response despite the significant health risk posed by the pandemic.
Why is it essential to consider Covid 19 a health emergency?
With the rapid transmissibility of the Omicron Variant, residents have become more vulnerable to infection, and hospitals are getting saturated with the increasing number of patients. The death rate has risen to 1400 every day, and the intensity of the pandemic is becoming more acute. The issue is still the ambiguity of considering Covid 19 a public health emergency that could negate the regulatory processes. For OSHA’s rule to implement vaccine regulations on businesses with more than 100 employees, they regarded it imposed at the earliest.
Similarly, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have forgone their usual lengthy procedures to take action, which is of foremost importance in the current times. As estimated by OSHA and CMS, these vaccine mandates can effectively save hundreds of lives from the virus, especially the senior citizens or those with special needs. Research confirms that vaccines effectively combat the virus by providing an efficient immunity boost to save millions from dying or dealing with severe symptoms. Delaying the mandate will stand at stake with the lives of people.
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Is a delay going to compromise lives?
Another obstruction is that Congress does not authorise these organisations to protect workers, completely false. OSHA is empowered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act to eliminate any dangers in the workplace by taking rapid measures. It includes eradicating any biological hazards, which is their primary responsibility. They have a history of dealing with the mitigation of pathogens. OSHA implements measures by reinforcing safety protocols and testing with vaccines, which is hardly over the top. For conservatives or those against the vaccine, there is an option to opt for weekly testing instead.
Similarly, Congress has also authorised CMS to facilitate the health and safety of citizens. We have enough research to authenticate the vaccine mandate to be made necessary and be conducive to a safer foreseeable future. By delegating the responsibility to agencies, Congress has ensured the smooth operation of regulations. These career agency professionals have the required knowledge to make apt decisions necessary in the case of a health emergency. If the supreme court does not uphold these vaccine mandates, the control of the crisis could be faced with a significant blow.
What decision should the Supreme Court make?
Essentially, a decision to overturn federal agencies shouldn’t be taken in the time of a dire emergency. These agencies are regulating the virus spread by a considerable scientific backup. Their knowledge and flexibility cannot be questioned at such a time because there is enough evidence to prove the significance of vaccines in curbing the rising infections due to Omicron and ending the pandemic.
