Workers and activists convened online last Tuesday afternoon for a coronavirus vaccine town hall sponsored by the USW Heath Care Workers Council and the Tony Mazzocchi Center (TMC).
The webinar, moderated by USW Health Care Workers Council Coordinator Tamara Lefcowitz, featured USW Health, Safety and Environment Director Mike Wright, District 11 Assistant to the Director Cathy Drummond, USW Assistant General Counsel Amanda Fisher, and one of the union’s long-time consulting occupational physicians, Dr. Steven Markowitz.
“This is an opportunity to hear directly from members who are fighting every day to protect themselves and others from this deadly virus,” said Lefcowitz.
Questions and topics covered in the virtual panel ranged from how to bargain over possible workplace vaccination mandates to the safety and efficacy of the various COVID-19 vaccines.
“The big picture is the vaccine is safe, and the virus is not,” said Markowitz when addressing public trust.
Markowitz also covered the potential side effects and the differences between the various vaccines.
In closing out the town hall, Lefcowitz shined a light on the future.
“Let’s get to work defeating this virus and rebuilding our communities.”