“Vaccine Passports” – Do We Really Want To Go There?

When Americans get their last COVID-19 vaccination, they are given some form of written verification that they had their shots. In my case, my verification was a 3” X 4” paper card from the CDC which included which vaccine I got (Pfizer), the dates on which I received my two shots and where I received them. My understanding is that similar verification is occurring around the country.

Like me, most Americans are holding onto these written verifications in case they might need them in the future to prove they’ve been vaccinated. What we might need them for is as of yet uncertain, but we’re holding onto them in any case. I laminated mine to protect it.

The left and the mainstream media have coined a term for these written vaccination verifications: They call them “Vaccine Passports.” That’s an interesting label, to say the least. It suggests these verifications might be required at some point to allow us access to certain venues or services or to travel.

The left and the media seem to be quietly suggesting that businesses and service providers might want to require their customers to provide proof of vaccination prior to services being provided. In my view, doing so would be nothing less than an attack on our freedom.

The left argues that such a requirement to show proof of vaccination is nothing more than an attempt to protect us. In theory, why would it not make sense to know who has been vaccinated and who has not. But that’s just the first step, theoretically.

Such identification would open the door to potential restrictions on those who have not been vaccinated. It would invite business, service providers and even government agencies to require verifications before providing services. This is scary, in my opinion!

There are millions of Americans who are opposed to getting the COVID-19 vaccinations, for various reasons. There are many so-called “Anti-Vaxxers” who oppose taking any vaccines. There are many others who are cautious about the COVID-19 vaccines because they want to see more evidence of what the long-term side-effects may be. Others are hesitant for a variety of different reasons.

The argument is whether such people should be prevented from any activities or services because they have chosen not to receive the COVID-19 vaccinations. So far, there are few restrictions, although several US states require verification if you want to travel there and avoid having to quarantine. In any event, the left increasingly looks ready to impose such limitations.

Thus, the recent appearance of the term: “Vaccine Passports.” This raises a lot of important questions. Like would we want to have to show our Vaccine Passports to get on an airline flight, get on public transportation or a cab, go in the grocery store or other public places, like restaurants, movie theaters, department stores, etc., etc.?

Many conservatives have recently sounded the alarm that the possibility of Vaccine Passports is a threat to our very freedoms. I have mixed feelings on this subject. On the one hand, I agree that if taken too far, Vaccine Passports could be a fundamental threat to our freedoms.

On the other hand, I don’t find it unreasonable that many Americans would want to know if the people they are sharing spaces with have been vaccinated. This is where it gets really tricky on a lot of levels.

For example, do we really want grocery stores and restaurants, for example, to require that every customer prove he/she has been vaccinated to come in? In that case, where do the millions of Americans who have not been vaccinated, for whatever reason, get their food and other services?

Do we want to require those who have not been vaccinated to provide a written reason why they have not done so? And if so, who decides which reasons are valid or not? There’s a LOT to think about here! I’m not even sure we want to think about the implications.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that the left and the media do indeed see this as an opportunity to impose greater limitations on our freedoms. And I expect these groups to push harder and harder for their implementation in the weeks and months just ahead.

As freedom-loving Americans, I believe we have to insist on a balance of restrictions on personal freedom with the need to protect public safety. I keep my vaccination card with me at all times. Fortunately, I have not needed to use it so far. Let’s hope it stays that way!

Unfortunately, there are powerful forces on the left which see this as an opportunity to limit personal freedoms. We have to make sure they don’t push it too far. Yet this may not be so easy. I expect we’re about to see.