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RENO, Nevada (KOLO) – The Reno city manager sent a harsh email to city employees after learning that at least one member of the Reno city court had obtained vaccinations for staff and their families before the Governor Steve Sisolak and state calendar.
In an email to employees, Doug Thornley said he was “shocked” and called the actions “inappropriate”.
In his email, Thornley said:
The deployment of the COVID vaccine has been frustrating for all of us. No one wants this team to be vaccinated and allow you to go about your business more than I do. Although many of our public safety workers have been vaccinated, it is frustrating for all of us not to know when it will be our turn to stand in line. Your leadership team worked with the health district, the governor’s office, and other decision-makers to make sure our city employees – you – aligned as quickly as possible.
But we have to remember that our role is to serve the community and that there is a published playbook to ensure that these vaccinations reach the most vulnerable people in the community first. And as roundabout as it may be, the Governor’s plan in this regard is clear: For most of us, it’s just not our time.
To those of you who have been vaccinated, let me say this: I do not blame any employee who, when given the opportunity by a member of our management in the City, takes the vaccine. You have to do what’s right for you and your family, and I’m happy to know that some of our employees have taken steps to protect themselves. You are not at fault here, and you will receive the second dose of your vaccine in due course.
However, this special treatment based not on sound policy, but rather on personal relationships, is inappropriate. For weeks now, I have advocated that our staff play a vital role in this community and should be vaccinated against the virus in the event of a pandemic. Obtaining this privilege for a branch of our organization may be well intentioned, but it undermines my ability to ensure that the entire team is protected in a timely manner.
First and foremost, from Mayor Schieve to the front lines of our organization, we are the guardians of the public trust, and we must protect that trust. We cannot use our positions to take vaccines which, at this stage of the game, are reserved for those most at risk.
In the meantime, we will continue to advocate for the City of Reno staff to be a priority in the distribution of the vaccine and to repair the damage this unfortunate incident may have caused.
Thank you for your patience and your commitment, we will make it happen together.
DRT
To view the state’s COVID-19 vaccine deployment plan, click here.
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