Doing the right thing will help all of us

On the very rare occasions that I got involved in playground fights, the teacher always said the same thing, “It’s over. shake hands.”

And that’s basically it. No therapy. No awareness training. No lawsuits.

We must take the same stance toward New York City’s dedicated officials who chose not to get vaccinated during the pandemic.

“It’s over. Shake hands.” And immediately rehire them with additional payment.

It is the right thing to do and the wise thing to do.

It’s true because we’re all victims of COVID-19, even if we’ve never contracted the virus — wherever it came from.

And that’s smart, because let’s face it, we need all the help we can get fighting crime, fighting fires, fighting to get our town back on its feet.

Mayor Eric Adams: They didn’t implement the policy. You can afford to be magnanimous.

Union bosses: This is not a wedge problem. do the right thing Stand next to Hizzoner at the press conference. Suck it up and say thank you. it’s over shake hands

Making everyone healthy helps everyone. We waste more tax money on less important things.

Perhaps the city can repay itself with part of the upcoming congestion fee. Call it the “Municipal Reconciliation Tax,” and New Yorkers will like it a lot better than just shoveling more money into the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s cash pit. (Outskirts and overseas commuters won’t be quite as thrilled, but you can’t make everyone happy.)

Anyone who thinks giving up their career (not just a “job” for New York’s Bravest and Finest) for vaccination status was an ill-considered decision has never lost their job on principle.

As my father used to say, “It’s not a principle until it hurts.”

Now think about how they arrested the guy who beat up the old man outside the deli or how they got a baby out of a burning building. Cliche? I have news for you – this happens all the time.

it’s over shake hands

wear masks? Tony Fauci? don’t make me start As they say on the bus, “Please respect the decisions of other drivers.” It’s over. shake hands

You don’t get rich working for the city, and it’s not easy work. For many it is a family tradition.

Do you have problems with bureaucracy? Don’t be Karen. We have bigger problems like the Ukrainian and Chinese spy balloons, inflation and Edwin Díaz. it’s over shake hands

The other route, which is more common these days, is continued finger-pointing and unhelpful allegations that waste time and wasting scanty taxpayer dollars on lawyers of all things.

My goodness. We can do better. If we learn nothing else from the experience of the pandemic, it is that we can achieve great things if we pull together despite help from the government.

Rehire any city workers who stood up for their principles (whether you agree or not). You all deserve a payback. And they deserve our respect. All of them.

Mr Mayor, it’s over. shake hands do the right thing

Peter J. Pitts, former Deputy Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, is President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest.