This week will likely go down in history as a turning point in our Covid journey.
A vaccine mandate on Friday will require people to be double vaccinated before entering entertainment venues, including pubs, clubs, cinemas and others.
The mandate is a pro-choice measure. It enables the majority to feel safe in environments that they’d consider a step back to normality.
Yet, it allows people the choice to remain unvaccinated if they still harbour concerns, for whatever reason.
One thing that everyone should be able to agree on and accept is that there will be teething problems. Some businesses have expressed concerns that new regulations are unclear – “Am I allowed to have unvaccinated people in my store?” being one of critical importance.
Change is difficult. There may well be initial concerns about the mandate and its purpose. In time, this will subside as communities slowly accept a “new normal”.
The prime reason for the mandate is to encourage all people to accept medical advice.
There will of course, be those who are angered – particularly if they are inconvenienced. Some businesses feel they will be hurt by the mandate. Some people feel there’s an element of discrimination.
While the detail sorts itself out – and already we have learned from other places with successful mandates – some people will feel a need to express that anger.
It is clearly unacceptable however, to express that anger towards people who are quite simply following the law and doing their job. Respect is essential. Nobody deserves the wrath of an impulsive outburst, be it verbal or physical.
Already, the government is refining a way forward.
Announcements at the weekend add clarity around the requirements for Covid contact. All casual contacts from January 1 will be required to get tested and quarantine until they receive a negative result.
There are stricter quarantine measures for unvaccinated people than for those who are vaccinated. And fair enough. All medical evidence suggests those who are unvaccinated are at greater risk of spreading the virus.
There will be those who disagree, and that’s fine providing we accept each other’s right to an opinion.
