New York Mandate Podcast, Ep. 22: Actor Clifton Duncan

“I don't feel like I need to take this injection. I've already recovered, as I said before. I'm not sure of the risks. . . . I have a history of high blood pressure in my family. My uncle recently passed away from complications of anemia. So when I read about blood clots and heart issues, again, I’m not going to be lining up to take it. . . . . People will try to paint me as some kind of extremist. But I'm like, no, dude. . . . All I'm saying is, ‘No, thanks. Not for me.’” - Clifton Duncan

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In this episode of the New York Mandate Podcast, I talk with Clifton Duncan, a classically trained actor who was pursuing a successful career in New York when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Theaters and other performance venues in the city shut down during much of 2020, and Clifton left for Atlanta in June of that year.

When theaters and film studios reopened, they introduced vaccination requirements for both employees and patrons, and entertainment venues fell under the “Key to NYC” vaccine mandate from September 2021 until March 2022. The arts and entertainment industry has maintained widespread vaccination requirements, which are supported by the city’s private employer mandate, introduced in December 2021. [UPDATE: The Adams administration announced on September 20, 2022, that the private employer mandate will be lifted on November 1, 2022.]

Because Clifton chose not to take a vaccine, he has been effectively barred from returning to work as an actor in New York City (as well as in Los Angeles).

Clifton talked with me about why he doesn’t want to take a vaccine, the complex reasons why the performing arts world has embraced stringent vaccine requirements, and how his perspective evolved from the earliest days of the pandemic to the present.

He also talked about the work he’s doing now, what he misses about being on stage, and his prospects for the future.

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More from Clifton Duncan:

The Clifton Duncan PodcastClifton has his own podcast, which you can find at the YouTube link above or on any podcast platform. He’s also on Substack.

In the episode of his podcast below, Clifton talks with fellow performer Pamela Everett Goodman about how both vaccines and NYC’s vaccine mandates have affected her family and the performing arts.

Clifton Duncan Speaks at the Mises InstituteClifton gave a talk about his perspective on New York City’s vaccine mandates at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama. You can watch it here:

Clifton Duncan on IMDBLearn more about his career as a performer.

Follow Clifton Duncan on Twitter: @cliftonaduncan

Here are some links related to things we talked about during the episode:

Actors’ Equity AssociationThis union represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers nationwide.

SAG-AFTRAThis union represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, and other media professionals.

Samaritan’s Purse Field Hospital in Central ParkThis field hospital was set up in Central Park to treat COVID patients during 2020. It drew protests by LGBTQ activists opposed to the evangelical Christian organization running the hospital.

USNS ComfortThis 1,000-bed U.S. Navy hospital ship was docked in New York City during April 2020 to increase the city’s hospital capacity. It left after treating 179 patients.

Nick CorderoClifton mentioned Nick Cordero, the actor and musician whose death from COVID-19 complications shook the performing arts world.

Chris MartensonYou can watch the economic researcher and futurist on this YouTube channel, or on his own site, Peak Prosperity.

John CampbellThis retired Nurse Teacher has provided medical education throughout the COVID-19 pandemic on his YouTube channel.

Peter McCuloughThis cardiologist was vice chief of internal medicine at Baylor University Medical Center and a professor at Texas A&M University. He has been a prominent critic of common public health and medical approaches to COVID-19, and has presented his own treatment protocols.

Robert MaloneThis scientist did pioneering work in mRNA and DNA vaccines and has been a prominent critic of the current COVID-19 vaccines and public health approaches.

Geert Vanden BosscheYou can find this virologist and vaccinologist here on Substack. He has been a prominent critic of the mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

Thomas SowellA Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution, Sowell is an economist, political commentator, social theorist, and prolific author. Clifton mentioned one of his books, A Conflict of Visions.

U.S Public Health Service (USPHS) Syphilis Study at TuskegeeThis clinical study conducted between 1932 and 1972 was designed to observe the natural progression of untreated syphilis. All of the participants were African-American men, and those who had syphilis were not informed about their diagnosis. Instead, they were told they were being treated for “bad blood,” and given free medical exams, meals, and burial insurance. They were not given treatment with penicillin, and more than 100 of the participants died of the disease.

Ibram X. KendiThis Boston University professor is the Founding Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. Clifton mentioned his book How to Be an Antiracist.

“Key to NYC” Vaccination Mandate Executive OrderThe “Key to NYC” mandate required both employees and patrons of restaurants, entertainment venues, and gyms to show proof of vaccination. It began on August 17, 2021, and was lifted on March 7, 2022.

Order of the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to Require COVID-19 Vaccination in the WorkplaceThis is the order that former Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi issued on December 13, 2021 requiring all workers in New York City who work in a workplace or interact with other workers or the public to be vaccinated.

An exception to it was later added for “Performing artists and college or professional athletes.” However, the mandate is generally enforced by private employers of performing artists in New York City.

On September 1, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that this mandate will end on November 1, 2022.

NYC Vaccination Requirement: WorkplacesThis is where you can find current information on New York City’s workplace vaccination requirements.

About the New York Mandate Podcast

The New York Mandate Podcast is an ongoing series of conversations exploring the costs and consequences of vaccine mandates in New York City. I’ll be talking with workers who have been directly affected by the mandates, as well as legal and policy experts.

In late 2021, the city introduced a series of requirements for workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. These requirements were put in place through executive orders issued by the administration of former mayor Bill de Blasio.

Current mayor Eric Adams continues to support the mandates, and they now extend to most working people in the city of New York. Private sector employers are required to affirm that their employees have been vaccinated, and public sector employees of city agencies have been terminated or put on unpaid leave for failing to comply with the vaccine requirement.

The views expressed in the New York Mandate podcast are the personal opinions of the people speaking, and are not intended to provide medical or legal advice.

Join the Conversation

Have you lost your job, been put on leave, or lost opportunities to work as an independent contractor as a result of your decision not to comply with a New York vaccine mandate? Did you take a vaccine against your wishes in order to keep your job? Please get in touch with me at [email protected].