Here’s why you won’t be eating at any of Newark’s finest restaurants unless you’re vaccinated | Opinion – NJ.com

By Ras J. Baraka

Circumstances have forced us to start this New Year engaged in a continued war against COVID-19 and its variants for the third year. No one is happy about this as we all are suffering from COVID battle fatigue, but this is when we must be most diligent as this virus finds ways to mutate and renew its attack.

The good news is the latest variant, omicron seems to be weaker in terms of the severity of symptoms and the number of deaths it causes.

Still, the omicron threat is growing and at the time we constructed the new order the three-day positivity rate in Newark had spiked to 27%, more than twice as high as the state’s level of 12%. This has forced us to return to more aggressive action against the disease.

We are heading in the wrong direction, and we know exactly how to turn it around. At the onset of COVID-19 in March of 2019, Essex County rose quickly to have one of the highest infection and death rates in the country and Newark was the highest in the county. With measures such as shutdowns and shelter-in-place and enforcing orders requiring mask-wearing and social distancing, we quickly got those numbers under control.

Now, as our statistics are creeping up, all of us must remember those numbers represent real people and real families terribly impacted by this disease.

Another vital statistic to keep in mind is that studies show vaccinated people are more likely to avoid severe illness with breakthrough variants such as omicron, and unvaccinated people are 14 times more likely to die from COVID.

Rather than order full or partial shutdowns, I have decided the best way to reduce our exposure is to have people show proof of vaccination to enter certain establishments and facilities, including all children over 5-years-old.

As with every past COVID-19 executive order this, too, will be met with controversy. But, as I have said many times in the past, the primary function of government is to protect its residents and ensure their health and welfare to the best of its ability.

This has been, and always will be, the imperative driving force behind every decision my administration makes. As we know well by now, this is truly a matter of life and death for our elderly residents and those who are medically compromised.

It should be the responsibility of all of us to protect our most vulnerable neighbors, and that is the spirit behind these executive orders. As a community, we have a responsibility to look after one another as a moral, civic duty.

This new order goes in effect for all indoor public New Year’s parties and events, so these festivities don’t become “super spreaders” as we have seen with past holidays and major public gatherings.

Anyone attending must show proof of having at least one vaccination dose. Vaccinations are readily available at many pharmacies and the city’s multitude of locations.

On Jan. 10, the full order will take effect and cover most indoor venues with seating, including bars, restaurants, movie theaters and sports and entertainment venues. At this time, people must show proof of one vaccination dose. Proof of full vaccination will be required several weeks later.

All establishments covered by the order are also required to post signs at their entrances notifying the public of the vaccination entry requirement.

This executive order follows a pattern of firm and aggressive action we have taken to protect our residents and workers.

As with our previous shelter-in-place rules, business lockdowns and curfews, we will continue to meet the challenge of COVID-19 with forceful determination for the safety of all Newark residents and the thousands of people who come here each day for work and entertainment.

To me, this is a matter of common sense for the common good. We ask for cooperation in the spirit of good citizenship.

Ras Baraka is the mayor of the City of Newark.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Here’s how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.