With millions of Americans entering the Summer of 2021 fully vaccinated, businesses are beginning to request vaccination proof as a requirement for entry. Is this really a good idea?
Current Events
Throughout the pandemic, restaurants, shops, and other businesses limited capacity and also socially distanced patrons in the interest of safety. Of course, most businesses also posted “MASK REQUIRED” signs and self-policed their establishments to assure compliance. Now, the rules and restrictions are changing — and businesses are taking steps to remain safe.
From coast to coast, businesses have begun to announce that they will require vaccination proof for entry — either to ensure a safe environment or because their state and/or local government mandates it. However, not everyone is excited at the thought of having to whip out a COVID card just to get into a drug store or their local McDonald’s.
Concerts/plays/music festivals are returning, sports stadiums are filling to near capacity — and a number of them have made it known that they will be checking vaccination proof as regularly as bars check 21 and over IDs.
In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that festivalgoers wishing to attend this summer’s Lollapalooza will have to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test taken within 24 hours of attending each day.
.
It’s happening. @Lollapalooza returns.
In alignment with our public health guidance, the world class festival returns to the city later this summer. However, full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test will be required to enjoy the festivities.
Get vaxxed. #OpenChicago pic.twitter.com/yQCSyYJQiz
— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) May 18, 2021
.
In New York, Madison Square Garden opened to near full capacity during the NBA’s Knicks playoff run and required proof of vaccination or a rapid COVID test for entry.
Also in New York, Radio City Music Hall said it will reopen at full capacity next month for the final night of the Tribeca Film Festival — but only for vaccinated people.
However, when cruise ships announced that they too would require vaccination proof from passengers sailing out of Florida this summer, Gov. Ron DeSantis immediately poo-pooed those plans with an executive order banning all vaccination verifications. In fact, Arizona, Florida, and Texas have each issued executive orders to prohibit businesses from asking customers for proof of vaccine or a “vaccine passport.” The argument is that such a practice constitutes a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (known as HIPAA) which protects sensitive health information from being disclosed without a patient’s consent or knowledge.
“I think it’s [vaccine passports] difficult to do,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “I think it’s a waste of time, effort, and money.”
He added that the flimsy paper COVID vaccination cards are easy to forge — and that those checking vaccination status at establishments will have no way of verifying if what’s being presented to them is real.
However, not everyone agrees.
“The whole point of our change is to say to people, ‘There are benefits to being vaccinated,'” Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York said on Monday. Getting vaccinated has its privileges.
Fortunately, New York State has created an official but easy method of checking vaccine status via the voluntary Excelsior Pass, which is a mobile phone app that links to the state and provides digital proof of a Covid-19 vaccination or negative test result.
The point of the app is to provide businesses with a means to keep customers safe, as well as an incentive for citizens to go get vaccinated. Additionally, there are no HIPAA violations since data from the app is voluntarily provided by each individual.
“A lot of us know intuitively that masks in restaurants are fairly comical and mostly theater,” said Mark Alston, who owns The Bayou Bar in Salt Lake City, Utah. “Because as soon as you sit down at the table, you have to take off your mask to eat and drink.”
“I can’t be a part of making anyone sick,” he added while promoting the idea of a vaccine passport for patrons. “We have a responsibility for our customers, even if they won’t take responsibility for themselves.”
Now, The Bayou is finally reopening for indoor service — but only for the vaccinated.
Should businesses be allowed to require proof of vaccination and become “vaccinated only” establishments for the safety of their patrons? Or, could the practice end up creating an “Us” versus “Them” society?
Should businesses be allowed to require proof of vaccination and become “vaccinated only” establishments for the safety of their patrons? Or, could the practice end up creating an “Us” versus “Them” society? […]- DJ
Yes. and Yes.