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THE COMING OF VACCINE PASSPORTS

For a very long time I have been lobbying the world to create an electronic universal passport for travel showing that you completed a COVID-19 vaccination series.  Alas, it is more and more appearing that we might well experience the mayhem of a different pass for just about every location on Planet Earth.  Wouldn't be surprised if a million types of systems appear over the next decade to confuse everyone and waste a lot of time and money.

Of course there are concerns about sharing of personal and health data, but that is for something delicate and embarrassing.  Proof of COVID-19 security is something strategically necessary.  Sometimes Big Brother can be a helpful sibling.

This nonsense of protecting individual freedom makes no sense.  Show of proof for travel is not new.  First, you need a passport anyway.  Then for some countries you must have a certificate indicating you have been vaccinated to prevent the spread of yellow fever.  

To begin, I saw Hawaii's Lt. Gov. Josh Green wearing a red badge on his lapel showing that he was inoculated and should be safe.  The impression I got was that just something so elementary could just as well work so those around you will feel more comfortable, making those who don't wear anything like that uncomfortable. so that they, too, go ahead and get vaccinated.  Would not work for air or sea travel, but a good beginning.

What would prevent someone who is anti-vaccination to merely get one of those badges, and just dangerously walk around maskless?  On the surface, that would diminish any social backlash.  However, that person will in time get the message that the only person in jeopardy was that individual, for he/she would be vulnerable, not those who are legally wearing that badge.

Then there is New York City.  From CNN:

Consider it a fast pass of sorts: A safe and efficient way to return to Broadway theaters, concert halls, sporting arenas, and other big group settings by simply presenting a QR code as proof of either full COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test. That’s the idea behind New York’s Excelsior Pass, which launched last Friday, making it the first state to debut a COVID-19 vaccine passport.

This is how the NYC pass would look, on a smartphone.  The system was tested at a Buffalo Bills football game in January when only those who got safely vaccinated were allowed to enter.  When you flashed your phone, if you got a green light, you were allowed to enter.  Spectators were monitored for 14 days, and there was only negligible transmission of COVID-19.  Similar tests were done at wedding receptions, Madison Square Garden and other venues.  The passport is digital, so adjustments can simply be made when necessary.

At least the European Union is organized, for one digital certification will be used for all 30 countries, and will become operational by the end of this month.  Essentially, they show a QR code on their phone to be scanned.  They haven't quite established exactly where the checking will occur, for there are no borders anymore.

Get this, the World Health Organization is against showing proof of vaccination for travel because this would be discriminating against developing countries, who are lagging in providing inoculations.  Plus, not everyone has a smartphone.

The International Air Transport Association is attempting to organize air travel using essentially the same type of phone scanning.  Much of this effort will kick in by the end of the summer.

There is, of course, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who last month signed a law banning businesses from asking customers whether they've been vaccinated against COVID-19.  Cruise lines were perturbed.

Wouldn't it have been nice and convenient if every site adopted the same system?  Now there will be a hodgepodge of electronic scanning devices that would only work for a specific location.  Here is a fairly recent summary of where the world is today on vaccine passports and how they would work.

To close, when you are in Singapore, the following seafood/meat buffet at The Three Peacocks only costs $41 for dinner.

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