Leer en Español
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that Disney World’s decision to halt the vaccination mandate for its employees is in response to a “pushback” by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on the pandemic.
“Well, I think the Disney piece is important to differentiate because, as they’re based in Florida — and, obviously, the governor there has consistently taken steps to — take steps backward, as it relates to fighting the pandemic, not forward,” Psaki said at a press conference aboard Air Force One.
A Crusade Against Vaccination Mandates
Psaki’s statements come after Governor DeSantis signed four bills to overturn Biden’s vaccination mandates, including one that prohibits private businesses, government agencies, school districts and educational institutions from requiring their employees or students to be vaccinated.
DeSantis’ press secretary, Christina Pushaw, told El American that she hopes “Disney and any other company that has suspended or terminated workers due to vaccine mandates will consider re-hiring them.”
Psaki insisted that the vaccination mandates “are working,” in the sense that citizens have been compelled to get vaccinated following President Biden’s announcement. As such, vaccination rates are increasing dramatically.
“By the deadline for the vaccination requirement, we will have already achieved 95 percent compliance across the federal government, and 90 percent of those employees will have had at least one shot,” Psaki said.
“Across the Executive Office of the President –- a question you may ask — we have already reached a 99 percent vaccination rate,” he continued.
Last week, the federal court ordered a temporary stay of Biden’s federal vaccination mandates after several states and businesses sued the mandate as unconstitutional.
However, the White House told businesses to ignore the ruling and impose mandatory vaccination anyway.
