This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Monday, 15 February 2021
Covid-19 'Passports'?
There have been mixed messages from the UK government about the possible issue of 'vaccine passports' (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/14/what-pros-and-cons-covid-vaccine-passports-immunity-certificates-travel). There are a number of arguments in favour and against 'vaccine passports'. Advocates feel that, issuing them, would incentivise the vaccine hesitant to get their injections. They also suggest, that having a 'vaccine passport', could open job opportunities to their holders. Having this documentation, could also make International travel easier. 'Vaccine passport' holders would be unlikely (certainly on a short visit, such as a holiday), to become seriously ill with a Covid-19 infection or to require hospitalisation in the stretched facilities of the visited country. Arguments against 'vaccine passports' include the observation, that there is, as yet, no clear evidence vaccines prevent people from transmitting this infection. It is also clear some Covid-19 variants are resistant to particular vaccines (so, regarding 'vaccine passport' holders as being 'safe', may be premature). In addition, the issue of these 'passports' will be be discriminatory (the elderly and those with underlying health issues were injected first). Tensions might arise from the vaccinated being able to do things that the unvaccinated cannot. People who lack the passport (by choice or by not being members of priority groups) might well be stigmatised. Other arguments contra the issuing of 'vaccine passports', include the possibility of fraud (a blackmarket opportunity!) and loss of health information privacy (information would be shared to companies, perhaps to the detriment of individuals). My own feeling is that it is currently premature to create these 'Get Out of Jail' cards.
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