Cousins returned to practice on Thursday after having to enter COVID safety protocols.
A Michigan hospital has cut ties with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins after he doubled down on his stance of not getting vaccinated this week.
Holland Hospital issued a statement to WHTC radio on Friday confirming that it has ended its relationship with Cousins after he told reporters a day earlier that he was “at peace” with his decision to go unvaccinated this season.
“While we acknowledge that each person is entitled to their own viewpoints, those who speak on our behalf must support messages that align with the hospital’s position on matters of vital importance to individual and community health,” the statement read.
“For this reason, Holland Hospital will discontinue using Kirk Cousins as our spokesperson for now. We are proud of our association with Kirk. He embodies many values we respect and share as part of our work culture. However, we must be certain that our communications about COVID vaccination are consistent and unequivocal.”
“It is important that Holland Hospital maintain the trusted reputation we have earned for providing consistent, truthful information and evidence-based health care guidance.”
Cousins returned to practice on Thursday after having to enter COVID safety protocols after being deemed a close contact to a positive case.
“I’m at peace with where I’m at, and I’ll follow the protocols vigilantly,” he said. “I do believe that as a leader of the team it’s very important to follow the protocols to avoid this close contact, because that is what it’s going to come down to,”
Cousins said that the size of the quarterback room would allow him to still follow the NFL’s safety protocols and still go unvaccinated, suggesting surrounding himself in plexiglass or even “meeting outside under a goal post in January.”
“I worked on my own, did all the virtual meetings, was able to do the best I could with the situation we had. I do believe the protocols work, and that’s why I believe I didn’t have COVID after being in a meeting room like that, because the mask and the social distancing works.”
The Vikings, as of Tuesday, had the lowest percentage (70) of vaccinated players in the NFL.
“I’m done talking about vaccinations. I’m out of that business,” coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday.
Albany County Sheriff Announces Investigation Into Gov. Cuomo
Authorities in Albany County have opened an investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.), which stemmed from a criminal complaint filed from a former aid. On Saturday, Sheriff Craig Apple announced the ongoing investigation into the embattled governor after the staffer complained Cuomo groped her at his state residence last year.
“I cannot get into the nature of her specific allegations at this time obviously. We are in the very infant stages of this investigation,” Apple explained. “We have a lot of fact-finding to do, we have interviews to conduct and it would be totally premature to comment on any of that.”
According to authorities, the Democrat governor could be arrested and face misdemeanor charges if it was determined a crime has been committed. The sheriff said his office has requested investigative material from the state attorney general’s office as well as Cuomo’s lawyers.
Following multiple investigations, which have stemmed from several allegations, the governor has denied any wrongdoing.
Cuomo went on to say, “I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made any inappropriate sexual advances.”
This comes as Cuomo has come under fire by his fellow Democrat lawmakers, who have called for him to resign or for his impeachment. However, Cuomo and his lawyer have both maintained the allegations to be false.
“At this point, I’m very comfortable and safe saying that she is, in fact, a victim,” Apple stated. “Again, I commend all of them for coming forward. This is a very tough time.”
Albany County authorities have yet to provide an estimate on how long the investigation could take. Meanwhile, the state’s Assembly’s Judiciary committee is expected to meet regarding impeachment proceedings in nearly two thirds of the legislative body said they will favor if the governor does not resign.