Unvaccinated Brooklyn Nets’ guard Kyrie Irving on Tuesday delivered a sharp jab at New York Mayor Eric Adams’ latest vax requirement, which ended the private employer vaccine mandate but kept it in place for city workers.
Irving, who was not allowed to play or practice at home last season, called Adams’ mandate a human rights violation of epic proportions.
Irving stuck it to the mayor in a strongly worded Tweet:
“If I can work and be unvaccinated, then all of my brothers and sisters who are also unvaccinated should be able to do the same, without being discriminated against, vilified, or fired. This enforced Vaccine/Pandemic is one the biggest violations of HUMAN RIGHTS in history.”
The New York Post’s Brian Lewis responded to Irving’s poster dunk on the mayor by confirming New York’s COVID vaccine requirements are among the strictest in the United States. The city relaxed its mandate late in the past season, but Irving only got to play in 29 games.
Related: NYC Axes 850 Teachers & School Aides For Not Being Fully Vaxxed
The NBA player's criticism of the major left a city official speechless. That’s not surprising, since the vaccines do not prevent COVID infection and the mandates are foolishness. He continued his criticism of the new mandate requirements for city workers.:
“I played 29 games, I barely played home games. It wasn’t a typical season I would have wanted. But things happen. I had to stand on a whole bunch of bigger stuff than just that.”
Mayor Adams defended his indefensible mandate. While taking the jab for a photo op at City Hall, he claimed, “Our vaccinated workforce kept the city open and operating, with over 300,000 employees it was crucial to put it in place and we’re keeping it in place. Our vaccinated workers have carried out their jobs and stepped up when the city needed them the most and we think it’s imperative to send the right message and lead by example.”
This is better stated as leading from behind. The efficacy of vaccinations lost the truth battle months ago, but Mayor Adams hasn’t gotten the message yet. He fired 1,500 city employees, putting their families out of income. They’ve got a friend in Irving, though, because he vowed to use his considerable wealth to help them out.
The boldest NBA player on the issue of vaccine mandates also said people should be free to make their own personal health decisions.
“I’m standing with all those that believe what is right,” Irving said. “Everybody is entitled to do what they feel is what’s best for themselves. Seeing the way this is dividing our world up, it’s sad to see. People are losing jobs to mandates.”
NBA preseason activities begin soon, and exhibition games tip off in the first week of October.