The Navy Warship Commander who refused to take the COVID-19 jab and submit to testing was fired as executive officer at the USS Winston Churchill.
Cmdr. Lucian Kins (39), was fired on Friday for refusing to vaccinate.
According to reports, he requested an exemption for religious reasons from the requirement that the military use vaccines. However, he was refused and now appeals the decision.
All service personnel must get the vaccine. Navy personnel have until November 31st to request an exemption or receive their shot. Many service personnel have requested religious exemptions. However, none of the military branches have yet to approve one.
If Kins’ appeal is granted, it remains to be seen if Kins will be reinstituted in his current position. Kins has yet to comment about his ousting.
Cmdr. Lucian Kins (pictured with his wife) was fired from his job as the executive officer of the USS Winston Churchill on Friday because he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine or be tested to prove he did not have the virus
Kins was relieved from his duties as second in command of the USS Winston Churchill, a destroyer, by Navy Capt. Ken Anderson is the commander of Naval Surface Squadron 14.
Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Jason Fischer did not give details about Kins’ removal of command due to privacy concerns.
Anderson stated that Anderson had lost faith in Kins ability to carry out his duties, after failing to follow a legal order.
Others claimed it was Kins refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and refusing to undergo testing to confirm that he didn’t have the virus.
Kins was reassigned as a Naval Surface Squadron 14 staff member.
Lt. Cmdr. Lt. Cmdr.
DailyMail.com did not receive a response from the Navy to our request for comment.
Kins (pictured), who was set to be commander of USS Winston Churchill within the next year-and-a half, requested a religious exemption for the vaccination mandate
To date, 2,705 sailors have requested religious waivers but so far none have been approved (Pictured: US sailors on the USS Winston Churchill in May 2021)
Fox News reports that the USS Winston Churchill currently resides in Mayport Florida, where it is on a 14-month maintenance program.
Kins, prior to Friday’s firing was poised to become warship commander in the next year-and-a half.
Officials confirmed that nearly 5731, active-duty sailors, are not yet vaccinated for COVID-19 to the Navy Times.
Seven permanent medical exemptions have been approved by the Navy, along with 326 temporary exemptions. There are also 124 administrative exceptions to this vaccine mandate.
Officials stated that 2,705 sailors asked for religious waivers. However, so far no such requests have been made.
As Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant continues its spread around the world, vaccinations are on the rise.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 43 Omicron variants of Omicron were detected in 22 US states within the first 8 days of December.
The CDC cautioned that although the initial cases seemed to have been mild, there was a lag between the infection and the more serious outcomes.
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads worldwide, there is a constant push to get vaccinated. The CDC reports that 43 Omicron variants of COVID-19 were detected in 22 states within the first 8 days of December.
At least 483 million Americans, or 60.7 per cent of the total population, have had at least one dose (or more) of COVID-19. 200 million Americans are currently fully vaccinated
Since 2020, the United States has seen more than 49,000,000 cases of coronavirus in its population.
Omicron has been deemed a variant of concern and is believed to be more transmissible than the Delta variant, according to the New York Times.
It is said to also contain mutations make the variant somewhat resistant to the body’s immune defenses and the already available coronavirus treatments.
According to the CDC, ‘Even though most infections are minor, a transmissible variant may cause sufficient cases to overwhelm existing health care systems. “The Omicron variant’s clinical severity will be better understood when more cases are investigated.”
At least 483 million Americans, or 60.7 per cent of the total population, have had at least one dose (or more) of COVID-19 vaccinations. 200 million Americans are now fully vaccinated.
Experts urge Americans to get vaccinated and wear masks to prevent Omicron from spreading. They also recommend social distancing, getting tested as needed, and being vaccinated when necessary.