Actors' Equity Association: Delays on Vaccines Hurt Arts Workers

On Wednesday, New York City announced it had canceled over 23,000 COVID-19 vaccination appointments this week. The Actors' Equity Association, representing actors and stage managers in live theatre, called on President Biden and Governor Cuomo to redouble efforts on a plan that expands testing and distributes free vaccines for all, beginning with the most vulnerable.

"The theatre industry has been closed for over 10 months now, and it has no hope of fully returning, and bringing back jobs, if we don’t hit critical mass with vaccines," said Equity President Kate Shindle.
Vaccination is the clearest path forwards to creating safe working conditions for those on Broadway and elsewhere in the theatre, as well as other industries that preclude social distancing. Vaccine shortages, in addition to putting lives in danger, further delays the safe return of jobs for arts workers. Read more here.