Dr. Anthony Fauci wishes everyone on board.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases made an unexpected appearance on Thursday at the MTA board meeting – asking agency workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and reminding him of his childhood riding on rails in New York City.
“The New York subway system is embedded in my brain,” Fauci said in a video message – introducing himself as “Tony” and “someone who grew up in Brooklyn.”
“I took the subway every day to get from my home in Brooklyn to and from Regis High School in Manhattan. I would take either BMT – what was then called the West End line – when I lived in Bensonhurst, or what was then called the Sea Beach line when I moved to Dyker Heights. I would take it from there to 14th Street in Union Square, where I would take the IRT Lexington Avenue Express at 86th and Lex to get to Regis on 85th between Madison and Park. And so I can warmly relate to you people who played an important role in my youth as a New Yorker. ”
He then said he “encourages” all MTA workers to get vaccinated against coronavirus.
“This pandemic has taken us so long, and vaccination is the best way to fight back and help us rebuild our lives,” he said.
“During the US pandemic, you kept public transportation in New York moving,” Fauci said. “That’s why you’re an essential worker at the top of the line to get a coronavirus vaccine. Take advantage of it, get vaccinated ”.
He added: “The sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner we can get our lives and our country back on track.”
Fauci’s plea comes after the virus took the lives of at least 130 MTA workers and sickened thousands of others.
Transit workers became eligible for shooting under state rules last week – and even receive a financial bonus for receiving it – but the launch of the city has been hampered by an inadequate registration system and a lack of doses.
At Thursday’s meeting, MTA President Pat Foye urged transit workers to take Fauci’s advice.
“We cannot pass up this opportunity to crush the virus. We have gone too far and our employees have worked so hard to keep the region moving during the pandemic, ”said Foye.