patrick.net

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who previously said that Democratic politicians should "lean into" COVID-19 policies such as vaccine mandates and issued the nation's first such mandate for schoolchildren, is trying to get the federal courts to halt a vaccine mandate for prison guards.

Two weeks ago, a federal judge ruled that the COVID-19 vaccine must be mandated for California's prison guards on Eighth Amendment (cruel and unusual punishment) grounds given the risk unvaccinated guards pose to incarcerated individuals. Only 42% of prison guards are fully vaccinated.

The state's prison guard union — a group that donated $1.75 million to Newsom in September's recall election — had argued against the vaccine mandate along with the Newsom administration. Cal Matters reported Wednesday that the Newsom administration has formally moved forward with appealing the judge's order to the Ninth Circuit in an attempt to block the mandate.

Newsom's hostility towards the mandate for prison guards does not align with his previous statements on COVID mitigation efforts, including vaccine mandates.

"We need to stiffen our spines and lean into keeping people safe and healthy," he told CBS News after surviving the recall. "We shouldn't be timid in trying to protect people's lives and mitigate the spread and transmission of the disease."

The governor has also faced criticism for not mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for school staff in addition to children. Teachers unions were also large donors to Newsom's anti-recall campaign.