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Back in 2003, New York City implemented a ban on smoking in public venues like bars, restaurants, and workplaces. At that time, people were outraged. For many, smoking in a dimly lit bar while enjoying a drink was a quintessential New York experience. Critics claimed that their freedoms had been taken away.
This outrage was unfounded. What actually occurred was that public spaces became safer for everyone. Secondhand smoke is deadly, and while some individuals may accept the personal risks of smoking, doing so in shared environments endangers others. Sound familiar?
Over the last 18 months, we’ve been inundated with discussions about personal liberty. The freedom to ignore lockdowns, to avoid masks, and to refuse vaccines. These arguments are rooted in the belief that individuals should have complete autonomy over their bodies because this is America, where personal rights take precedence.
But the notion of personal freedom fails when it poses risks to others. In the context of a pandemic, where a virus spreads through respiratory droplets, what you choose to do with your body can have severe—and sometimes fatal—consequences for those around you.
With the COVID-19 vaccine now fully approved by the FDA and various mandates emerging—from workplaces to schools and entertainment venues—we’re witnessing an escalation of the “my rights are being infringed” narrative.
Let’s clarify this: If you opt not to get vaccinated, you’re indicating that you’re comfortable with the risks the virus presents to yourself. However, no one is forcing you to get vaccinated—that’s a personal decision. But your choices have implications for public health, and if you decide against vaccination, you should be prepared to accept the limitations that come with that decision.
This isn’t a novel concept. Vaccine mandates have a long-standing legal precedent at both state and local levels, and this current situation is simply an extension of that.
To be clear, while there isn’t a federal vaccine mandate, states and businesses have the authority to impose their own requirements, supported by Supreme Court rulings dating back to the early 1900s. Schools have mandated vaccines for decades, and many healthcare facilities require flu shots. The military has long had vaccine mandates as well. Some countries even require certain vaccinations for entry.
Opponents might argue that requiring vaccination to access workplaces or public venues infringes on human rights. However, human rights pertain to protection from torture and ensuring basic needs like food, shelter, and clean water are met. Comparing the request to take a vaccine—something that protects lives—to a human rights violation is not only unfounded but also trivializes the real human rights violations happening globally.
Let’s also consider the human rights implications of forgoing vaccination. By choosing not to get vaccinated, you risk the health of vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those who cannot access vaccines due to various barriers.
In essence, the bottom line is this: COVID-19 vaccines have been validated as safe and effective in combating the pandemic. They significantly lower the chances of severe illness, relieving pressure on our already strained healthcare system. Additionally, vaccinated individuals are less likely to contract and transmit the virus.
We must do everything in our power to halt this deadly virus. Vaccine mandates are logical, legal, compassionate, and protective measures. They will be implemented in schools, hospitals, restaurants, gyms, and workplaces, regardless of personal preferences.
For further insights, feel free to check out this helpful post about the importance of vaccination and public health.
Summary: Vaccine mandates are a legal and necessary approach to public health, designed to protect communities during the pandemic. While individuals may have personal choices, those choices impact the health and safety of others, particularly vulnerable populations. The argument that vaccine mandates violate rights is misguided and distracts from the real issues surrounding human rights violations globally.