Imagine trying to attend the latest concert or restaurant only to find out you need a digital passport proving you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sound crazy and far-fetched?
Well, it’s already happening.
Adding another crazy layer to the “new normal,” states are now toying with the idea of rolling out vaccine passports in order for people to gain access to venues. And while the federal government hasn’t said they’d implement them at a national level just yet – they haven’t ruled it out either.
Here’s the deal.
Some Americans will choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine – and that’s their choice. We’re all about freedom lovin’ Americans having the power to make the decisions that are best for them and their families.
But should those who choose not to get vaccinated (or cannot due to medical reasons) be shunned from participating in normal societal activities?
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo thinks so.
In fact, New York recently rolled out the “Excelsior Pass” – which claims to provide “secure, digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results.”
Essentially, in order to attend large events at places like Madison Square Garden, you’ll need to have your digital Excelsior Pass scanned to prove you’ve either been vaccinated or have had a recent negative COVID test result.
Proud of this latest power-grab, Governor Cuomo plastered his support for the pass all over his website:
“New Yorkers have proven they can follow public health guidance to beat back COVID, and the innovative Excelsior Pass is another tool in our new toolbox to fight the virus while allowing more sectors of the economy to reopen safely and keeping personal information secure,” Governor Cuomo said.
“The question of ‘public health or the economy’ has always been a false choice — the answer must be both. As more New Yorkers get vaccinated each day and as key public health metrics continue to regularly reach their lowest rates in months, the first-in-the-nation Excelsior Pass heralds the next step in our thoughtful, science-based reopening.”
Of course, it’s no surprise one of the least liberty-friendly states in America was the first to roll this out.
In contrast, conservative states like Texas and Florida have actually banned COVID-19 vaccine passports from being used in their state.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order prohibiting the state’s government and businesses from requiring a vaccine passport and publicly stated his disdain for the program.
CNN reported:
“Individual Covid-19 vaccination records are private health information and should not be shared by a mandate,” DeSantis’ executive order reads…
“It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply be able to participate in normal society,” he said Monday during a press conference.”
Likewise, Texas Governor Greg Abbott followed suit with a similar tone.
The Texas Tribune reported:
“Texans are returning to normal life as more people get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. But as I’ve said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced,” Abbott said in a video announcing the executive order.
“Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal health information just to go about their daily lives. That is why I have issued an executive order that prohibits government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas. We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health — and we will do so without treading on Texans’ personal freedoms.”
Earlier this year, Proud American Traveler warned of a looming “digital passport” that could be required to travel.
Now just a few months later and here we are.
Sure…
… Biden’s team claims they won’t “mandate” it for travel.
But then Biden’s chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci continued using vague phrases during a Politico Dispatch podcast like, “I doubt that the federal government will be the main mover of a vaccine passport concept.”
Fauci went on to claim that the government “may” get involved in making sure things are done “fairly” – whatever that even means.
In conclusion, not only does the vaccine passport violate Americans’ freedom – they are a major privacy concern.
How will the data be stored? Who will have access to it? What security measures are in place to prevent personal data from getting hacked?
Of course, no one really knows the answer.
While conservative politicians will continue to fight for Americans’ personal freedom – you can expect liberal bureaucrats like Governor Cuomo to continue forcing more mandates upon free citizens.
And don’t be surprised if down the line a stronger mandate comes from the Biden White House.
So for now, enjoy your freedom – while you still have it.
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