Mask And Vaccine Mandates Are Legal -- And You Should Expect More Of Them

With the delta variant surging and the first day of school less than a month away, New York city and state officials are turning to vaccine mandates.

Governor Kathy Hochul said while she can't unilaterally require the vaccines, she is working with lawmakers to develop a rule that teachers must get the shots or undergo weekly testing. She has also directed the state's health department to pursue a universal mask requirement for schools.

Meanwhile, Mayor de Blasio has mandated vaccines for public school staff, with no option for testing. But some workers are pushing back with protests and legal threats. 

Alicia Ouellette, the president of Albany Law School, sat down with WNYC's Michael Hill to discuss the city and state's power to mandate vaccines. 

Click "Listen" in the player above to hear their entire conversation.