Shooting for the Moon
Despite my hopes, I can’t get off the topic of vaccinations in these WHF Blogs (previous blogs are found at our new website at washhealthfoundation.org). Reality is that this is the health issue of the moment, and maybe the century. Vaccinations hold the key to our short term and long term health prospects, and our economy, security and more.
Recent developments are most encouraging. More supply is on the way, more ways to get the doses into are arms are being rolled out, and science is back in charge of key decisions. There is now focused national action on this imperative, and far less denial and political grandstanding.
There is not a moment to lose in getting people vaccinated, as the gap between where we are now and herd immunity is a big one. In the United States, and even more so as we look to the global challenge that is the only path to build true and lasting protection. Meanwhile, mutations driven by the high prevalence of the virus threaten to make our problem exponentially greater, while our solutions are more linear.
All to say we need to keep pondering ways to open the vaccination spigot to where it converts to a full out fire hose. Lately, I’ve been assuming that those who really want the vaccine will get it. Maybe not tomorrow, but in the foreseeable future of Spring-Summer.
But we will likely see the problem of vaccine hesitancy raise its head again as a barrier to achieving herd immunity. Many just don’t trust vaccinations, and there is an anti vaccination movement in our Nation which will cultivate this fear. This will supported by a still underlying political division. These may not be dominant, or even strong minority, views, but it won’t take many naysayers to threaten our ability to get to the 70-85% of the population needed for herd immunity.
What might we consider in addition to the current efforts to confront vaccine hesitancy? My answer: connect the ability for us to resume our way of life with proof of vaccination.
This is something that governments could and might do, for example, around the reopening of schools. Not yet, since we are not sure of the wisdom of child vaccination in this case, But the point can be easily understood: kids could go back to school if they have proof of vaccinations. This is already the case with respect to other diseases. There might be other applications like this for government action too.
But let me be clear- I am not suggesting we look to government action as the vehicle to apply this tool- unless it is our only way to get there. Rather, I am suggesting that private entities step into this space and create opportunities for those who do vaccinate to get benefits for their personal decision.
For example, let’s go to live music. I would love to go back to hearing live music in a concert hall or bar- I have missed this greatly. Since I am over 65, I am now scheduled for a vaccination. But even with both shots, I would still not be ready to go to an event without greater assurance that I won’t be spreading the virus to others.
What if the venue required proof of vaccination to get in the door, much like getting carded at the door of a bar for age? Imagine, an audience full of protected people. Wouldn’t that be something? I would be elated to attend. I would even be willing to pay more for the opportunity. Probably a lot.
Imagine the possibilities. Sporting events, worksites, in person shopping and more. If you are and can show that you are vaccinated, you get in. If not, you don’t.
If companies deem it be too heavy handed to require this approach for all of their activities or events, then maybe we could see a supply of alternative “Covid Free” opportunities. So, there are specific “proof of vaccination only events” that people could vote for with their pocketbooks.
My sense is that we would find a much greater number of people interested in such opportunities than there are for the knucklehead events where it has been a source of pride that masks and social distancing recommendations are ignored.
Those who don’t want the vaccine could opt out- of the vaccine but also these events. They would retain their personal autonomy and ability to make their own decisions. But there is nothing that says they have the right to infringe on the rights of the rest of us to also have personal autonomy, free from their intrusion . Allow us return to normal life. It will be their choice to make to be part of this or not.
Don’t tell me this is some form of discrimination. It is not at all like racial or gender or other distinctions that have been used to keep certain people “out” historically. These have their roots in bias and domination, not science. Some still seem to believe that these exclusions are still valid, but not those that relate to protecting the public’s health. Go figure.
Ponder the idea. I would suggest doing this while waiting to schedule or receive your vaccine!And here’s to hoping that by March I can write about something else in this Blog.
Greg