As the talk about vaccines continues and gets similar responces to speaking of politics, I wonder how the group feels about mandating the vacvine for everyone (specificly USA). Should people be able to choose for themselves or should the government have the athority to require it? This is currently the question being debated in the Supream Court.
I believe the SC has ruled that States have the right to mandate vaccines (1906 ruling?). The federal government already mandates government employees be vaccinated against certain diseases. I don't think it is much of a stretch that they be allowed to mandate citizens to be vaccinated, especially if they want to enter federal buildings or use government services. A tax credit might be a better path to influencing people to get vaccinated then a mandate though. Money talks. I don't really care though, if you don't want to get vaccinated don't. It's your life.
I support personal choice, so I support not getting the shot. I think a better way to incentivize people is to provide benefits, other than money, to those who do. Just like you can't smoke in public places, you can't do certain things if unvaccinated. You don't get free tests and the government paying for the consequences of that decision as an example. To Rye's point, it's a personal choice, but all choices have consequences. We also need a national system to track whether you are vaccinated or not, to simplify proving vaccination. IMHO, I think this is all a little late, Covid will eventually be treated like the flu. It's here to stay and people will dye from it. There will be a new shot every year and some will get it and some won't. Masks and tests should go away as life returns to the "new" normal.
A vaccination tracker SHOULD have been part of the 1st plan. I dont know of a country that has one, seems the % of people vaccinated is just derived from the number of shots given. It is so easy to print a vaccination card that has no security features and use it to do whatever you want. Weather New York or Dumagete, the checking of vaccine cards is a waste of time. This country tried with Vaxcert but then LGU's couldnt keep up and it was intended for pre-travel only.
I am pro-vax and pro-choice. However, I believe in restrictions for non-vax. For example, if schools start up, all employees should be vaccinated.
Yes the Vaxcert in this country is far from perfect; I have one for myself, but it doesn't have any provision for inclusion of the booster shot, and we're still struggling to get one for my asawa. There have been more successful endeavours with vax certificates though, I just need to point to the EU initiative in that respect. Obviously a vax certificate with a QR code, like the European ones, but also the one in the Philippines, is much harder to falsify. Hopefully the government will manage to improve on the process of registration/uploading by LGU's and include the boosters soon.
