To those, claiming, mandating vaccines, is some sort of violation of their personal rights, and freedoms, I respond, when it comes to deciding between an individual’s perceived right, and the overall, common good, this nation, throughout its history, has chosen the greater good! Excuses, such as it violating their religious freedoms, flies – in – the face, of the fact, no major religion, is claiming so! The Pope, as well as the leaders of other nearly – all, other religions, have suggested/ urged their flock, to get vaccinated! Historically, when it was, in response, to small pox, polio, measles, mumps, etc, many schools, etc, have required inoculations! With, the possible exceptions, of certain religions, which, still, suggest little, to no, medical interventions, at any times, doesn’t it make sense, especially, in – light – of, the tremendous toll, we’ve witnessed, from this horrific pandemic, to urge the population, to get vaccinated? With, that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 5 industries, where vaccine mandates, need to be, more – than – merely – suggested, but mandated, because, without doing so, we risk, never seeing – the – light – at – the – end of this tunnel.
1. Health workers: The core concept, of the Hippocratic Oath, informs physicians, to do no harm! Logically, during a pandemic, this means, ensuring, not only, treating patients, with the utmost professionalism, and quality care, based on scientific knowledge, but, certainly, to never be a vehicle, of transmitting, an illness/ virus/ disease, to another, by putting oneself, ahead of the greater good! Anyone, who would, consciously, risk others, claiming personal freedoms, should not be allowed to do so, and this means, we must insist, health workers, get vaccinated, for the public health, and welfare!
2. Police: Personally, it saddened and disappointed me, to see, so many New York City Police Officers, resist getting vaccinated, claiming it is their right! Indeed, it is, but not, if their job, requires coming into contact with the public, etc! In addition, doesn’t it make sense, when more police, were killed, from the impacts of the pandemic, than any other cause (including, gun – related deaths), they would insist – upon, being vaccinated, in order to protect themselves, and the overall public?
3. Fire/ EMT/ Ambulance, etc: Since fire fighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, Ambulance Drivers, etc, are responsible for helping to save and preserve, life/ lives, if they aren’t vaccinated, doesn’t that, put many others, in danger?
4. Public transportation workers: Especially, because of the threats, from several factors, such as air – related, close – spaces, etc, shouldn’t these workers, be mandated, to be vaccinated? How can we protect the public’s health, unless/ until, these front – line workers, are forced to, do the right thing?
5. School personnel/ employees: Since, many students, are not, yet vaccinated (and, those 5 – 12, are, only now, even, being permitted to be vaccinated, combined with conditions, related to many older buildings, with less – than – health, air conditions, isn’t this, another instance, where public health, must be prioritized?
Some might argue, it is their right, to refuse to be vaccinated, but, we already mandate, many types of vaccinations, to attend public schools, and access, certain foreign nations, etc! Vaccines saved the public from polio, small pox, measles, mumps, etc, and, certainly, this pandemic, has demonstrated, how deadly, it can be! Even, kennels, require dogs, be inoculated, in order to be boarded! How many more, must die, before we demand, common sense, and the greater good, especially, regarding public health – related matters, take priority?