On Friday, January 13, 2022, a New York State Supreme Court Judge for Onondaga County struck down the New York State Department of Health regulation mandating certain healthcare professionals be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, declaring the regulation to be “null, void, and of no effect.” (Medical Professionals for Informed Consent, et. al. v. Bassett, et
Patricia Anderson Pryor
Patricia Anderson Pryor is the office managing principal of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Dayton, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky offices and is also a client solutions leader of Jackson Lewis P.C. Patty is an experienced litigator in both state and federal courts, representing and defending employers in nearly every form of employment litigation, including class actions.
CDC’S COVID-19 Guidance Changes… Again
Since March 2020, COVID-19 rules have been confusing at best. On August 11, 2022, in an effort to streamline the guidance and reflect the current state of the pandemic, the CDC once again issued updated guidance. The new guidance focuses on individual responsibility and is designed to help the public better understand how to…
What Employers Need to Know About Monkeypox
Monkeypox (MPV) is the latest virus to catch wide attention. But it is important for employers to keep in mind that MPV is not COVID-19. Nevertheless, there are steps employers can take. Read the full article here.
EEOC Updates Its COVID-19 Guidance to Reflect Current State of COVID-19 in the U.S.
As the pandemic continues to evolve, so does the EEOC’s guidance. On July 12, 2022, the EEOC once again updated its COVID-19 guidance: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws to reflect the pandemic’s changing state. The updated guidance follows CDC’s June 10, 2022 statements regarding…
U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Roe and Casey: What This Decision Means for Employers
As many expected based on the draft opinion that was leaked months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court has held the U.S. Constitution does not protect the right to obtain an abortion. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, No. 19-1392 (June 24, 2022).
Read more here.
Masks Come Down, Smiles Go Up
In response to requests across the country, and following a number of states who have relaxed or removed their mask requirements, CDC has relaxed its mask recommendations. Today, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new guidance on when masks should be worn indoors. The guidance categorizes communities into high,…
OSHA Withdraws Vaccine-Or-Test Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has withdrawn its enforcement of the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring most employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines or tests for employees.
OSHA’s announcement follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to grant a temporary stay of the ETS. This move most likely renders litigation in the U.S. Court of…
U.S. Supreme Court Puts OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine-Or-Test ETS Back on Ice
In a 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has granted a temporary stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).
The Court described the standard as a “blunt instrument” demanding most employers to require two-thirds of the American workforce to receive COVID-19 vaccinations or otherwise undergo weekly testing. The justices…
CDC’s New Shorter Quarantine Period is Welcome News for Those Who Got COVID for Christmas
The CDC announced today that it is updating its quarantine and isolation guidance. For people with COVID-19, the isolation period was reduced from ten days to five days as long as the individual has no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after five days. Importantly, the revised isolation guidance does not recommend an individual…
Sixth Circuit Dissolves Stay of OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine ETS
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has lifted the Fifth Circuit’s stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 vaccination and testing for employers with at least 100 employees. In re: MCP No. 165, Occupational Safety & Health Admin. Rule on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing, …