Companies, unions and trade groups are making pitches to the state and to the public that their workers should be prioritized. [A state official described the next stage of vaccine prioritization as “the big fight.”]The landscapeThe first vaccinations in the state are taking place amid a statewide surge in cases and hospitalizations. Mr. Cuomo said on Sunday that 6,185 people were hospitalized statewide, a number comparable to the total in May. New York City on Sunday reported that the seven-day average rate of positive test results was 6.25 percent. Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel Trades Council, wrote a letter to state health officials advocating for the 35,000 hotel employees the union represents in New York City.

Source: New York Times December 21, 2020 09:56 UTC