Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday defended his COVID-19 vaccination mandate for state employees, arguing the “vast, vast majority” of the executive branch’s 40,000-plus workers are on board with the state’s public health message and are protected against the virus. Nearly 1,600 workers could face discipline after missing the Sunday mandate deadline set in place by Baker in August. But the governor said Monday that agency and Human Resources officials would connect with noncompliant workers to find out why they haven’t shown proof of vaccination or filed paperwork seeking an exemption for medical or sincerely-held religious beliefs. “We’ll work through...