In a situation raising eyebrows, a SoulCycle instructor in New York managed to receive a COVID vaccine by labeling herself as an “educator.” For over ten years, Jessica Harper has been a prominent figure at SoulCycle, where her classes regularly reach full capacity, reportedly earning her around $800 for a 45-minute session. Recently, Harper posted on social media, announcing that she received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine, asserting her status as an “educator.” This has sparked concerns about wealth and influence allowing certain individuals to circumvent vaccination protocols.
In her now-deleted Instagram post, Harper expressed relief, saying, “Now I can teach SoulCycle with a little more faith that we’re all gonna be okay,” while thanking several individuals who assisted her in completing the necessary paperwork. She was vaccinated in Staten Island, where the current Phase 1B rollout includes healthcare workers, grocery staff, individuals over 65, and teachers. However, as a SoulCycle instructor, she does not meet eligibility criteria in New York City. In her application, she claimed to be an “educator” working to “keep my community and their respiratory systems operating at full capacity so they can beat this virus if they are infected by it.”
Harper faced backlash in the comments of her Instagram post, leading to its deletion. Many questioned why she received the vaccine before those with greater need, such as the elderly or those with health conditions. New York City Mayor, John Adams, even commented, “Doesn’t sound like someone who should’ve gotten vaccinated to me. I don’t think someone who shows up and says, ‘Hey, I’m a SoulCycle instructor,’ should have qualified unless there’s some other factor there.”
In response to the controversy, SoulCycle issued a statement distancing itself from Harper’s actions and clarified that employees should not claim to be educators for vaccine priority. “Jessica Harper operated in a personal capacity in applying for a NY State COVID-19 vaccine,” the statement noted. “SoulCycle plays no role in organizing or obtaining vaccinations for instructors or other employees nor do we encourage any of our SoulCycle employees to seek vaccine priority as educators.” The company’s CEO also reminded staff that instructors do not qualify as educators for vaccination purposes based solely on their roles.
For those exploring the topic of home insemination, you might find useful information in one of our other blog posts here. Additionally, for more authoritative resources on this subject, check out Make A Mom and WebMD.
Search Queries:
- How do I qualify for a COVID vaccine in New York?
- What are the guidelines for educators receiving the COVID vaccine?
- Can SoulCycle instructors receive the COVID vaccine?
- What are the eligibility requirements for the COVID vaccine in New York City?
- How to navigate vaccine priority during COVID-19?
In summary, the controversy surrounding Jessica Harper’s COVID vaccine application highlights issues of privilege and access within the vaccination rollout. As discussions continue, it remains crucial to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines to those genuinely in need.