City Of Duluth Didn't Disclose Sept. Approval Of Vax Mandate

So what took so long? The City of Duluth is moving faster than the fed. And they've been keeping it from the public for more than a month.

While a proposed federal mandate for all employers to require COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing for employees would start in January, the city will beat that date by almost two months. All employees with the City of Duluth (and interns) will need to show proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccine by November 15 or face weekly testing. According to our news partners at WDIO, "[u]nvaccinated employees who have had a positive COVID-19 test within the last three months will not be required to undergo the weekly testing".

But what's interesting is that the City of Duluth adopted the policy on September 27 but didn't announce it publicly until now.

According to details about the new COVID-19 vaccination policy released by the city, the tests are "job-related and consistent with business necessity". They also share that "positive test[s] will not be used as the basis for discipline or discharge".

Positive tests won't used against the employee. But refusal to get vaccinated or submit to the weekly testing will.

The lack of vaccination or the refusal to submit to the weekly tests will be grounds to be "sent home on unpaid leave". Eventually, the City will fire the employee for not getting the vaccine or submitting to the weekly test: "After a fifth week or refusing to take a test, employees are subject to termination".

Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

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A review process will be in place for the employee to "tell their side of the story" with a supervisor and a union representative present. However, the city has not shared whether or not this will change the outcome of the termination.

What Do I Do If I Lose My COVID-19 Vaccination Card?

When you get your COVID-19 vaccine, you're handed a card that details the date, manufacturer variety, and location of your dose. If you're getting one of the two-dose vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna), you'll need that card to coordinate your second and final dose. But even with the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and even after getting the second shot, you'll need to keep that card in a safe place.

While nationwide vaccine mandates aren't a thing at the present time, there are a variety of times you might need that card even after completing the vaccine process. Many schools (primary, secondary, and higher education) are requiring the COVID-19 vaccine similar to other vaccinations. Additionally, some entertainment venues and mass transportation are requiring either proof of a negative COVID test or the vaccine card.

So what happens if you lose it? Relax. There are ways of obtaining a replacement - and they differ slightly whether you've lost it before getting both doses or after.

Things To Do Before + After Getting The COVID Vaccine

A variety of things to do to get ready for the COVID-19 vaccine as well as some considerations to take afterwards.

Answers to 25 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

Vaccinations for COVID-19 began being administered in the U.S. on Dec. 14, 2020. The quick rollout came a little more than a year after the virus was first identified in November 2019. The impressive speed with which vaccines were developed has also left a lot of people with a lot of questions. The questions range from the practical—how will I get vaccinated?—to the scientific—how do these vaccines even work?

Keep reading to discover answers to 25 common COVID-19 vaccine questions.