It has the potential to be a very contentious issue, with some people having a clear yes or no answer to whether COVID-19 vaccine passports should be used for entry to theme parks, whilst others sit on the fence still trying to make up their mind.
As vaccination programmes continue to ramp up across the globe we thought we would ask you in our latest Big Debate, COVID-19 Vaccine Passports for Theme Parks, Yes or No?
Based on the number of people who have voted this week, the issue of vaccine passports is obviously an important one. As of yet we are not entirely sure if, where, when or how vaccine passports may be used in theme parks in the future? It seems unlikely that they will be used in the coming months at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and the other theme parks in Florida as Florida Governor Seeks to Ban Vaccine Passports at Theme Parks.
However, is this decision likely to change? Are we going to see Vaccine Passports becoming mandatory across other states in the US and across the world? Would it make you feel safer when visiting theme parks? Is it morally and ethically right?
RESULTS
When setting this debate I suppose I thought that there would be a large majority of people against having COVID-19 Vaccine Passports at theme parks but actually I was quite surprised at the results:
- Yes – 44%
- No – 56%
Although the majority of readers voted against Vaccine Passports, interestingly 44% said Yes to having them at theme parks. That is a large percentage.
As I said in the original Big Debate article I was one of those people very much on the fence and unsure of how I would vote. I have received my first vaccination and because of that I think I would be happy to show a vaccine passport if it was required for me to enter a chosen theme park but I am not 100% sure if it is morally or ethically right?
Your Thoughts and Comment
As always in our Big Debate articles we share a selection of your comments, aiming to show both sides of the debate. We had over 350 comments on this debate so it has definitely created a lot of interest amongst our readers. Here are a range of your thoughts on COVID-19 Vaccine Passport use in theme parks:
“Nope. If you are vaccinated, that’s great. If you choose not to get vaccinated, that is your choice. I don’t feel that any private business should need to know about my medical history to deem whether or not I am worthy to spend my money with them.”
“The question I have is for those of us who’ve had the virus and don’t want the vaccine because we have some immunity already and the vaccine doesn’t guarantee you won’t get it again, do we get penalized for not having a vaccine card.”
“Nope. It’s against HIPAA regulations as it is not anyone’s business knowing my medical history.”
“It doesn’t matter if we’re really willing or not. It’s just like wearing a mask. Doesn’t matter if we like it or not. If Disney tells us we need to show Vacc proof or wear a mask to be able to enter their property, than I guess we have to show it or wear it or we can’t go.”
“Absolutely. A vaccine passport shows your name and the date of vaccination. Your passport shows address, where you’ve travelled, date of birth, and emergency contact info, and I’ve no problem showing that in order to travel. Not to mention driver’s licence too.”
“If it means not wears mask- yes I’ll show a card.”
“If a private business feels like adding that as a safety measure I believe they have the right too. I would show it if I wanted to go and have the right not to go if I didn’t want to abide by their regulations. That being said, I think they’d be shooting themselves in the foot to require it. Should the government make the decision to require it or not? I don’t think so.”
“I honestly don’t care either way but I find it funny that people will share that they have a disability to theme parks to get an ADA pass to bypass waiting in lines but don’t want to show a vaccine card because that goes against medical privacy rights.”
“You can buy a vaccine card on line now. Until there is a fool proof hacker free way of stopping all fraud; cards are useless.”
“Yes. Had to have them for educational and travel purposes throughout my life so see no difference now. Just one dudes opinion.”
“Face it, most people against showing proof of vaccine are the ones who don’t want to get it.”
“HIPPA laws were set in place to secure your right to privacy for sensitive issues like having a disease. Showing a passport for a vaccine doesn’t contain any private matters. Disney would have a nightmare if they did this. The entrance is already a problem and this would cause a backup they can’t handle.”
“Just because you are vaccinated doesn’t mean you can’t spread it. What’s the point?”
“There are people with health issues that prevents them from getting Vaccine.”
Summary
So, in summary there are lots of valid points that have been put across in the comments. There appears to be a large amount of people who are against it because they feel their medical history is their business and their business only. A couple of readers raised the issue of forged passports and being able to buy them from the internet which would inevitably cause problems wnen confirming authenticity.
Concerns from those that aren’t able to have the vaccine due to medical reasons, what would happen to those people? Also, some readers are questioning the fact that even with a vaccine you can still get the virus and be asymptomatic so what is therefore the point? The vaccine decreases your chances of getting COVID-19 so it would surely make theme parks safer overall even with the chance that a minorty of the guests could still be carrying the virus and don’t know.
Many readers comment that they would gladly show a vaccine passport if this meant they could abolish their mask. If you haven’t had chance to have your say yet, leave us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
