At News Views, we’re always trying something to get y’all out here talking. This week, I’m presenting an issue that’s really not new nor should be controversial but it has Wing Nut World in a dither–the Vaccine Passport.
So, what exactly is the Vaccine Passport?
- A vaccine passport works similar to a regular passport, which allows you to travel out of the country and enter other countries. As more people have received at least one jab in the arm and soon will get another, people want to travel. They want to get out and do things. But, how do we know that people around us have been fully inoculated and do not pose a threat or jeopardize the health and well being of others? Solution: The Vaccine Passport.
- Although in January, President Biden issued an Executive Order “directing agencies to assess the feasibility of linking coronavirus vaccinations to vaccine cards, also known as ‘international certificates of vaccination or prophylaxis’ and producing a digital version,” Andy Slavitt, a senior adviser to the White House coronavirus team, said that it’s not the role of the government to create such a passport or hold that kind of data on its citizens.
- But, I’m old enough to remember these guys. We had to have them updated every year to attend school. In fact, I still have my kids ‘shot records’ and got into a verbal argument with Bestia (DiL I detest) on why I kept them and never gave them to my kids. Duh, they never asked for them?!?!
What are the Benefits?
While proving vaccination could help pave the way for a return to normalcy across several industries, travel would likely benefit the most. Vaccine passports have been proposed as a way to make governments, citizens and travelers more comfortable with opening up to tourism.
US NEWS:
The Wall Street Journal, ‘that liberal rag,’ offers some good points on how a vaccine passport would benefit business:
- The obvious, more people would buy tickets to concerts, sporting events, etc..if they knew that those around them would be less likely to jeopardize their health and well being.
- And true to form, the WSJ suggested the ‘free market’ determine whether businesses should require their patrons to produce proof of their vaccinations.
- In other words, one business may see lower profits if they don’t require a passport while those that do require them may see greater profits because their customers feel safer and more apt to patronize said business.
So, why are the usual suspects against the vaccine passport?
- Well, first–the obvious reasons and talking points: Government overreach, FREEEEDUMB!, and socialism because everything is socialism with this bunch.
- And of course, anti-vaxxers who screw up everything.
- “There are also privacy concerns to consider, as people may not be willing to share their health data with companies.”
Both sides of the issue bring up some valid points; however, when these Neanderthals get involved, I know where I stand:
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Friday prohibiting businesses from requiring customers to show proof they have received COVID vaccines and preventing the state government from issuing so-called “vaccine passports.”
According to Dr. Fauci, the Biden Administration has no plans to implement a vaccine passport at this time. However, he did say that businesses or schools could require vaccine passports to enter their buildings.
- “I’m not saying that they should or that they would, but I’m saying you could foresee how an independent entity might say, ‘well, we can’t be dealing with you unless we know you’re vaccinated,’ but it’s not going to be mandated from the federal government.”
So, your task, as the intelligent lot you are, is discuss the pros and cons of passport vaccine. Would you get one? If not, why? If so, how would it benefit you? Maybe you can also come up with some solutions–offer up some ideas on how we approach, handle, and even convince others to get one.
Hope you enjoy- Please understand that this is not a free chat thread. Please post to the topic; share your ideas, solutions, etc…
