When Asked Whether Vaccine Proof Requirements Will Hurt Minorities, Psaki Evades Question

On Tuesday, when White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked a question about whether New York City’s vaccine proof requirements might impact racial minorities disproportionately, she sidestepped the question.

Psaki gave her response during Tuesday’s White House press briefing.

RELATED: Trey Gowdy Slams Media For Ignoring Pelosi’s ‘Open Duplicity When It Comes To Congressional Investigations’

Psaki Evades Question About NYC Vaccine Proof Requirement

Daily Caller White House correspondent Shelby Talcott asked about NYC’s proof of vaccination requirements, “New York City data shows that the rate for black New Yorkers is sitting at 31%, which is a lot lower than some of the other percentages…. Is the White House concerned at all that the burdens imposed by governments and businesses like this NYC proof of vaccination is going to fall heaviest on these minority communities?”

Psaki dodged the question, saying, “I would say Shelby that it’s our objective to continue to close that equity gap, and to make sure we are, as a federal government, working in partnership with… cities like New York City to make sure we are making the vaccine accessible, available, we’re meeting people where they are, or partnering with the right public health officials, and will continue to do exactly that.”

“We certainly don’t want this to be a barrier of entry for communities,” Psaki added.

The question comes in the wake of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that he was placing a vaccine mandate in effect, meaning New Yorkers looking to go to the gym, dine in restaurants, or attend performances would have to show proof of vaccination.

Talcott noted to Psaki that communities of color in NYC have lower vaccination rates than white New Yorkers, thus the concern about a possible disproportionate impact on racial minorities.

Psaki also said Tuesday in response to Talcott, “We also believe, at a time where the Delta variant is spreading like wildfire across the country, especially to unvaccinated communities, that it’s important cities and communities should be able to take steps to incentivize more people getting vaccinated.”

NYC’s Racial Breakdown In Terms Of Vaccination Rates

Washington Examiner columnist Tim Carney expressed a sentiment similar to Talcott’s in a tweet about the NYC vaccine mandate, writing, “Do we know the racial breakdown of the vaccinated vs unvaccinated in NYC?”

RELATED: If Kamala Harris Replaces Biden In 2024, ‘Ron DeSantis Would Put Her In The Ground,’ Meghan McCain Says

The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro with the assist, “Yes, we do.”