In a recent New York Times article, it was reported that many schools, businesses, companies, etc had begun talking about enforcing the use of “vaccine passports”. These “passports”, which would be used digitally, would exist as a way to identify and prove if an individual has or has not been vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. As with many subjects and topics that trace back to Covid, the Covid vaccine, or the use of mask mandates, the topic around these newly reported vaccine passports has been divided. While some feel the use of required vaccine identification is necessary in keeping people safe and slowing the spread of the virus, others believe it is an infringement on their privacy. No matter which side of the coin you feel is correct, something I feel that we all can acknowledge is just how damaging Covid has been to this country within the past year. This virus is not only still fairly new, it is something that many communities still need protection from. While many in the United States are beginning to receive their first and second doses of the Covid vaccine, many communities are still waiting to be vaccinated. As quoted from The New Republic, Jacob Silverman states, “With an unequal health care system, limited vaccine access, and class-driven technological disparities… vaccine passports may end up being another tool for the rich to return to normal life while the people who are already being failed by our current systems of vaccine roll out find themselves left further out in the cold.” With vaccine distinction still in a state of limbo, where does the giant rush for vaccine passports and required Covid vaccination identification come from? While of course encouraging communities and those who have access to the vaccine is important in regards to getting us out of this crisis, how can this be done if those who need the vaccine don’t have the ability to receive. Covid isn’t like Chicken Pox or the Flu, both of which have vaccines that are common and readily available to a wider range of people. Covid can only end if people who want and need the vaccine receive it, and this can not be done if measures are not taken to make sure vaccines are distributed to all people. I feel that the energy and effort that is being put into the creation of things like digital vaccine passports and required vaccine identification should be refocused into creating and distributing more vaccines. Vaccines are a crucial part in stopping the spread of Covid, but this can not be done if the effort to stop it is non-existent.
Cassidy Craven
Online Editor-in-Chief
the spark 