CLAY COUNTY – As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, the question of a vaccine passport continues to make the …
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CLAY COUNTY – As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, the question of a vaccine passport continues to make the rounds.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that prevents vaccine passports from becoming a requirement, but the idea of requiring proof of vaccination is still one on many people’s minds. Can private businesses require vaccination proof? Should they? Is it their right to do so or is it infringing on the individual’s own rights? We asked our readers what they thought about vaccine passports for this week’s Facebook Question of the Week and here’s what they had to say.
“I disagree with vaccine passports on a large scale, like traveling in a private transportation mode from one place to another,” Gayle Powell said. “However, I respect the right for privately-owned businesses to have certain requirements in order to do business with them. If I don’t like their requirements, I will take my business elsewhere. That’s part of freedom.”
Kari Woodworth said vaccine passports should “absolutely” not be required, saying the concept is ridiculous. Ben Hubbard, however, said, “if nothing else, they would certainly be helpful for international travel as there are other countries that are already beginning to use them.”
“Who is going to go on a cruise or eat at a restaurant if there are a bunch of unvaccinated people there?” Steve Gard said. “Especially if you are bringing your children with you. People have a choice not to be vaccinated, but actions have consequences.”
Karen Fey said she doesn’t have a problem with the passport.
“Any private business has the right to set their own rules,” Fey said. “I personally have no problem having a ‘passport’ if it makes travel easier and more comfortable for others. Shots for some diseases are required to visit certain countries anyway so it makes no difference.”
Clarise Keegan said if requiring an ID to vote is unconstitutional, then requiring a vaccine passport should be as well. Donnie Snow said all of this is “100% up to the companies.”
“The GOP is always preaching about small government,” Snow said. “They need to practice what they preach and let the companies do what they feel is right for their customers and employees.”
(Editor’s note: No GOP governor has supported vaccination passports. In fact, governors in Texas, Florida and Georgia have signed orders prohibiting mandatory passports, while they support individual choice for passports).
What do you think about this issue? Should vaccine passports become a thing? Do you think they’re constitutional or unconstitutional? Let us know by responding to last week’s Facebook Question of the Week and be sure to follow the official Clay Today Newspaper Facebook page so you don’t miss next week’s Facebook Question of the Week.