The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, said recently that the vaccine mandates in the city’s public sector would be lifted. However, this won’t clear a way for Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets to play home games.

There are separate vaccine mandates for the private sector which states, “employers may not allow any unvaccinated employees to report to their physical workplace unless they have requested and received an accommodation.” Adams announced that “all other vaccine mandates in New York City will remain in place at this time as they are, and have been, vital to protecting New Yorkers.” 

Adams also said he wants Irving back on the court and wants to get the championship ring. Still, he isn’t making an exception for him because “It would send the wrong message just to have an exception for one player when we’re telling a countless number of New York City employees that if you don’t follow the rules, you won’t be able to be employed.”

Paul Cobourne, a WJPS senior, said, “I think he’s willing to lift vaccine mandates and all but not let Kyrie play? It’s just dumb.” 

Julien Prasso, a WJPS senior, said, “I think it’s fair because if he lets him play, it’s not fair to the many New Yorkers that are out of work because they haven’t gotten the vaccine.”

Even though the mandate might be lifted in the future, `Irving won’t be able to suit up just yet. 

Photo: “Kyrie Irving” by genewang0123 is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.