New York judicial group urges Cuomo to make judges vaccine eligible

Queens Supreme Court Justice Carmen Velasquez is urging Gov. Cuomo to make judges eligible for vaccines. Photo courtesy of Assembly of Ecuador

By Rachel Vick

An organization representing hundreds of Supreme Court justices across New York is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to include judges in the state’s vaccine eligibility guidelines. 

The Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sent Cuomo a letter Feb. 16 asking to make judges vaccine-eligible, just like officers, clerks and other court employees. The letter is signed by Queens Supreme Court Justice Carmen Velasquez, the president of the organization. 

“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of vaccinating our Justices,” Velasquez wrote. “By omitting the Justices from the priority list, NY State has effectively limited the people’s access to the judicial system.”

Judges across the state have contracted COVID-19, and three have died as a result of the virus. At least two Supreme Court Justices tested positive for COVID in the first two weeks of February 2021, Velasquez said.

Court officers were explicitly made eligible in the second phase of vaccine rollout. The state’s Office of Court Administration interpreted the state guidelines to also include other non-judicial employees, and advised staff members to get vaccinated.

But with jury trials set to resume March 22, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges remain ineligible.

“[The work] can only be done through the courage and dedication of our Justices and court personnel who step up to the plate to make the judicial system available to the public and clear the ever-growing backlog of cases,” Velasquez wrote. “We need your help.”

The governor’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment.