“The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has fired its principal flutist, months after distancing itself from her controversial social media posts that spread misinformation by questioning the safety of the coronavirus vaccines, the efficacy of face masks and the outcome of the 2020 presidential election,” writes David McFadden in Wednesday’s (8/4) Associated Press. “The orchestra’s … statement suggests there were multiple violations of multiple policies. Leaked workplace emails from [Emily] Skala also had come under scrutiny. The BSO president and CEO, Peter Kjome, said the musician had been fired under the progressive discipline policy agreed to with the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore. ‘Ms. Skala has had discipline imposed upon her over these past few months for violating several policies; unfortunately, she has repeated the conduct for which she had been previously disciplined, and dismissal was the necessary and appropriate reaction to this behavior,’ the BSO statement said. The firing comes roughly six months after the orchestra publicly rebuked her for controversial social media posts. She had been suspended from work duties and was notified by phone on Tuesday that she had lost her job.… Critics said the content of Skala’s emails were racist and antisemitic, which she denies.”
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