Trevor Noah explains why it's so weird for cops and firefighters to freak out about vaccine mandates

For the past few months, vaccine mandates have "become the biggest fight in the country — I mean, aside from the Netflix CEO and everyone on Twitter," Trevor Noah said on Wednesday's Daily Show. "And mandates have been effective at convincing people to get the COVID vaccine, which is why everyone from the federal government to airlines to even Fox News is doing one." The Fox News mandate is "insane," he added. "It's like seeing one of those Amish farm stands that accepts Apple Pay — like, I'm happy, but I did not see that coming."
Now, New York City is requiring all of its employees to get vaccinated, including cops and firefighters. About a third of NYPD officers aren't vaccinated, and that's "a little concerning," Noah said, "because any police who don't get vaccinated can't go to work, and if there's a shortage of police, that could cause some big problems. I mean, protesters can't kick the s--t out of themselves. Plus, who are the Karens gonna call when they get scared?"
But police and firefighters have been among the most resistant to vaccine mandates in cities and states that have them, and honestly they're "the last people I'd expect to see this from," Noah said. "These are the same people who sign up to swarm hostage situations or run into burning buildings. But when it comes to the vaccine, suddenly they're like, 'I dunno, seems like a health risk.'"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Here's what I find most strange about this story: For years, police departments have been telling us that nothing is more important than protecting the lives of cops on the streets," Noah said. "But it turns out there is literally nothing more dangerous to police officers right now than COVID-19. COVID, right now, as we speak, is the leading cause of death for law enforcement. In fact, since the start of the pandemic, it has killed more than five times the number of police than were killed by guns. So it turns out that if you do believe that 'Blue Lives Matter,' one of the best ways to show your support is by getting the vaccine."
In a confluence of life and art, this is essentially the same discussion Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy had with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Trump revives K-12 Presidential Fitness Test
Speed Read The Obama administration phased the test out in 2012, replacing it with a program focused on overall health rather than standardized benchmarks
-
El Salvador scraps term limits, boosting Nayib Bukele
Speed Read New constitutional changes will allow presidents to seek reelection an indefinite number of times
-
Trump assigns tariffs, delays all except on Canada
Speed Read A 35% tariff on many Canadian goods has gone into effect
-
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire in border fight
Speed Read At least 38 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced in the recent violence
-
Israel 'pauses' Gaza military activity as aid outcry grows
Speed Read The World Health Organization said malnutrition has reached 'alarming levels' in Gaza
-
US and EU reach trade deal
Speed Read Trump's meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen resulted in a tariff agreement that will avert a transatlantic trade war
-
At least 12 dead in Thai-Cambodian clashes
Speed Read Both countries accused the other of firing first
-
US and Japan strike trade deal
Speed Read Trump signed what he's calling the 'largest deal ever made'
-
28 nations condemn Israel's 'inhumane killing' in Gaza
Speed Read Countries including Australia, France, Japan and the U.K. have released a joint statement condemning Israel's ongoing attacks
-
Israeli gunfire kills dozens at Gaza aid site
Speed Read The U.N. estimates that at least 875 Palestinians have died while trying to access food in recent months
-
Rubio says US brokered end to Syria conflict
Speed Read Syria's defense ministry was targeted in Israeli attacks on the capital