Peter Blanck, BBI chairman, on the Ideas Network, helps us understand where vaccine and mask mandates cross over with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Millions of Americans are at higher risk for severe disease or death from COVID-19. That includes people with underlying health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, older people, and people with intellectual disabilities who research has shown are six times more likely to die from COVID-19.
Most states don’t have mask mandates in place raising concerns that people who are at risk will be even more vulnerable. The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that public spaces, jobs, and schools be accessible to people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Some lawsuits have been filed arguing that this 1990 law should apply during the pandemic to decisions that could put people with disabilities at a higher risk.
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- Audio: BBI Chairman Peter Blanck: COVID and the ADA
- Interactive Transcript on Rev.com
- Transcript [PDF]
Originally Aired: January 18, 2022
Link: https://www.wpr.org/listen/1902071
English