Will vaccination requirements for health care workers cause staffing shortages at Rochester-area nursing homes and hospitals?

One local state lawmaker believes an alternative should be considered before the state’s September 27 deadline for these professionals.

Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes, from Livingston County, proposed an option for health care workers to wear masks and get weekly testing, just like teachers and school staff in the state must do.

Byrnes believes the state vaccination for health care workers will cause staffing shortages and walkouts.

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In a letter to Gov. Hochul, Byrnes said, “Health care workers have been our heroes for more than 18 months. In the height of the pandemic, they were called upon to work, even when many of them tested positive. As long as they weren’t showing symptoms, and now their jobs are being threatened?”