Lawyer for NYC fired after grilling mayor over kid mask rule

Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. crash / kræʃ / (v.) – to go to an event without being invited
    Example:

    A man tried to crash the wedding party, but the security personnel didn’t let him in since he didn’t have an invitation.


  2. mandate / ˈmæn deɪt / (n.) – an official command to do something or act in a particular way
    Example:

    The mandate requires all vehicles with children passengers to have a car seat.


  3. reference / ˈrɛf ər əns / (v.) – to mention someone or something in speech or in writing
    Example:

    The applicant said he can do the job well by referencing his past experiences.


  4. molest / məˈlɛst / (v.) – to harm a person by touching him/her sexually without consent
    Example:

    The police officers arrested a public official for molesting a child.


  5. counsel / ˈkaʊn səl / (n.) – a lawyer who gives legal advice and represents a person or a group in a court of law
    Example:

    The judge reminded all counsel to obey the court rules.


Article

Read the text below.

A lawyer for New York City was fired after she crashed a news conference Monday to confront Mayor Eric Adams about the city’s mask mandate for children aged 2 to 4.


Daniela Jampel, who had worked for the city law department since 2016, was fired later on Monday, a department spokesperson said.


Jampel was fired after she attended a City Hall press conference and demanded that Adams “unmask our toddlers.” The law department spokesperson said she had misrepresented herself as a journalist at the press conference.


The Democratic mayor announced last Friday that a mask rule for children under 5 in schools and daycare centers would remain in effect because of a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron BA.2 variant of the virus.


Jampel has been a vocal advocate for keeping schools open and for ending mask mandates during the coronavirus pandemic.


The law department spokesperson said the decision to fire Jampel was made before Monday because of “troubling claims” she had made about her work for the department.


The spokesperson appeared to be referencing a now-deleted tweet that Jampel posted on Friday, which said that as an attorney for the city, she had “represented cops who lie in court, teachers who molest children, prison guards who beat inmates.” The tweet continued, “It is a job I have done proudly. Until tonight. Fighting to keep masks on toddlers is shameful. I am ashamed of my office.”


Jampel posted and deleted another tweet after her firing Monday saying she was retaining counsel. Messages asking for comment were sent to Jampel Tuesday.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Do you agree with the mayor’s decision to keep the mask rule for children under 5 years old? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • According to sources, children over 2 years old in Japan can wear a mask, but they’re not forced to do so if it’s uncomfortable. What do you think about this policy (ex. reasonable, careless)? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you think the law department’s decision to fire Jampel was a fair consequence for what she did? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What do you think about Jampel’s statement about her work in the city’s law department (ex. controversial, brave)? Do you think it’s a good idea to share opinions about one’s workplace on social media? Why or why not? Discuss.