Send More Dogs If TSA's COVID Vax Rate Lags, Schumer Says

NEW YORK CITY — Sen. Chuck Schumer wagged his finger at the TSA's lagging COVID-19 vaccination rates and proposed a four-legged solution.

Send in the dogs, Schumer said.

“While the TSA works to get more of its workforce vaccinated with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, they should present a contingency plan to the public that includes the deployment of their canine dog teams," Schumer said in a statement. "These canine teams, and we have all seen them, can be sent to airports across the country to help with staffing and security concerns, especially as holiday travel demands spike. This is not a permanent solution, but it is an option while the agency works to increase its vaccination rate."

Federal workers face a Nov. 22 deadline to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

But 40 percent of TSA workers are still unvaccinated. The mandate could lead to staffing shortages as Americans start making their Thanksgiving and holiday travels, Schumer warned.

Canine dog teams can help short-staffed New York City-area airports by detecting explosives and drugs, as well as helping vaccinated TSA agents with luggage screening, a release from Schumer's office states. They can even help reduce wait times, the release states.