Vaccine Passports In FL? An Overwhelming Yes From Patch Readers

FLORIDA — Proof of coronavirus vaccination is a must as the cruise ship industry in Florida works to re-start, and other segments of the economy have also debated adopting such a requirement, dubbed a "vaccine passport."

The idea is controversial, with advocates contending passports could help open up travel and gatherings such as theater and sports. But critics, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, call them discriminatory or privacy violations.

The governor signed an executive order April 2 banning "COVID-19 vaccine passports for taking part in everyday life — such as attending a sporting event, patronizing a restaurant, or going to a movie theater — would create two classes of citizens based on vaccination."

Floridians seem to be in favor of a mandated vaccine passport, according to a recent survey by Patch.

"The only way to get back to normal is vaccination," one respondent wrote. "If a person chooses not to be vaccinated then the cost is (in)ability to go to restaurants, sporting events, movies or ride any public transportation."

As residents get ready to plan their summer vacations, Norwegian Cruise Line and other lines have said they will relaunch in July and will require passengers to have a vaccine passport. Several European countries have signaled they will require Americans to show they have been vaccinated in order to visit their countries, according to the New York Times.

"You don’t have to get the vaccine but if you don’t you shouldn’t be allowed into public spaces where you might infect someone who has gotten vaccinated because you caught a variant," another reader commented.

The term vaccine passport generally refers to documents — in paper or digital format — that certify a person is unlikely to either catch or spread a disease.

Supporters believe a vaccine passport would significantly increase the number of people eating at restaurants, attending concerts, or traveling on airplanes if the public knows others have been vaccinated.

Readers were asked if Florida should mandate a statewide vaccine passport in the Patch survey. Patch received 1,387 responses to the survey. The survey is meant not to be a scientific poll, but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

According to the survey, 53 percent voted "Yes" for Florida to mandate a statewide vaccine passport. Forty-six percent voted against a statewide mandate.

"My concerns surround government mandates to do any of the above," wrote another participant. "Private companies setting restrictions is within their purview as the individuals also have the right to not participate if they do not agree with the restrictions. School restrictions should be locally administered, i.e., no federal involvement."

President Joe Biden has said he doesn't support a federal mandate for vaccine passports.

"Although not mandated by a central state or national government, the precedent has already been set by public schools to require proof of childhood vaccinations as a condition for attendance," another reader said. "This is not a new concept."

What did Floridians say on the survey when asked what settings would a vaccine passport be appropriate for?

"Venues like sports arenas, concert venues, travel (cruise ships, planes, trains, buses)," one respondent said. "I think private businesses should be able to require proof of vaccination if they choose and be able to decline entrance and service to anyone who doesn't show proof or who chooses not to show proof."

Another person said facilities of all kinds should require it. Some said never.

"I would not. Never. My body, my choice," another respondent shared.

Is This A Violation Of The HIPPA Law?

DeSantis wrote in the executive order, "it is necessary to protect the fundamental rights and privacies of Floridians and the free flow of commerce within the state."

Sixty percent of Floridians said they didn't have any data privacy concerns around the vaccine passport.

"No. Why would I. You’re tracking me on my phone already," a respondent wrote.

However, many readers cited HIPAA and claimed it would be a violation of the law to require a vaccine passport. However, a fact check of this claim makes it clear that is not the case.

The law's privacy rule applies to covered entities like doctors and prevents them from sharing medical information with third parties, as The Washington Post explained."HIPAA doesn't apply if nobody involved is part of the medical system; it's not technically a medical record," Carmel Shachar, a Harvard Law lecturer, told Slate in December.

"Would rather see a federal program," a respondent wrote. "Don’t trust state to get it right."

The Biden administration has made clear that it will neither issue nor require the passports, the New York Times reported. It is up to private sectors.

Fifty-seven percent of Floridians are in favor of private businesses and employers being able to put in place their own policies about requiring proof of vaccination. Under DeSantis's most recent executive order, "Businesses in Florida are prohibited from requiring patrons or customers to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery to gain access to entry upon, or service from the business."

Fifty-four percent of respondents are in favor of teachers and students showing proof they have received COVID-19 vaccinations to attend in-person classes. One respondent said it should be up to the parents.

"We have to be vaccinated for other diseases," a respondent replied.

What about colleges?

Some colleges around the United States, such as University of Notre Dame, are requiring their students to get vaccinations in order to attend class. Nova Southeastern University that has Florida campuses is requiring its students to get vaccinations. However, News4Jax reported that the college’s president said he’s still confident in the plan, but he also promised to “respect the laws of our state and all federal directives.”

Safety In Knowing

The majority of respondents, 56 percent, said they would feel safer attending an event or eating at a restaurant knowing that others around them have been vaccinated for COVID-19.

Some people were undecided and checked, "Maybe." One person responded, "I reply on my natural immunity to keep me safe."

When DeSantis reopened Florida in 2020, businesses could face fines for violating mask ordinances. However, in the beginning of 2021, he signed an executive order that banned local governments from fining businesses not adhering to local mask mandates.

Temperature Checks At Large Venues

Sixty-one percent of Floridians who took the survey are in favor of health screenings at venues that attract a lot of people. Some restaurants like Cassis in St. Petersburg conduct a temperature check on patrons before they are allowed to be seated inside or outside.

Miami's basketball team, the Heat, said it will start seating vaccinated fans in their own section at games, and that fans can prove their status by showing their paper vaccine card, according to The Associated Press.

Finding A Fair Balance For Travel

Fifty-nine percent of Floridians are in favor of COVID-19 vaccinations for domestic and international air travel.

"There must be a fair balance between public health, individual choice and other aspects of society and health privacy," Efthimios Parasidis, a professor of health services management and policy at the Ohio State University College of Public Health, told NPR.

He also told the outlet that it may be acceptable to have people show either proof of vaccination, proof of a negative test or proof of a recent episode with COVID so that people have different options but still ensure a safe environment.

We'll let Patch readers have the final say.

"The government has no right making demands like this on Americans," one comment said.

"Our economy and people’s lives will suffer without so-called vaccine passports," responded another.