# Won't "vaccine passports" affect poorer/"blacker" people more (a la Voter ID)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 3, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986 "2021-08-03T19:25:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/161 "2021-08-06T14:47:38Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > Can I ask where this number is from? My sources show we’re still below 60%. Note that I don’t consider one shot of Pfizer to be “vaccinated” for all practical purposes. > [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > Nobody ever expected 100% of people would get vaccinated. The original goal was 100 million doses within 100 days: that was met on March 19. The second goal, 200 million doses was reached by April 21st. The third goal, 70% of the adult population with one dose, was reached a few days ago on August 2nd. [Cite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_vaccination_in_the_United_States). > > These are **mighty impressive numbers**.And you did it in less than a year. Its about a month behind. But impressive. I’m assuming the next goal is to get it to 75%, then to 80%, then to go from there. …its at 70% at one dose according to wiki (I didn’t check the primary source) but I think for the purposes of this thread, people at one dose aren’t the sort of people who aren’t going to get the second, so I don’t think they count as “unvaccinated.” ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/162 "2021-08-06T14:50:04Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …but I think for the purposes of this thread, people at one dose aren’t the sort of people who aren’t going to get the second, so I don’t think they count as “unvaccinated.” I don’t agree with that statement (actually, I don’t agree with calling them “vaccinated”, which is not the same as saying they should be called “unvaccinated”), but at least I understand what number you’re using now. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/163 "2021-08-06T14:58:08Z")
> [@bump](#): > > What I’m saying is that your group 3 isn’t what’s driving low vaccination, and that for those people in your group 3, lack of access and marginalization isn’t what’s driving their specific low vaccination rates. > > Instead, the big driver of low vaccination rates isn’t your group 3 or reasons of access/marginalization, it’s politicization of vaccination and COVID mitigation measures by the Republican party/conservatives. …cite? And I’m specifically talking about black and marginalised communities here. I’m well aware of politicization of vaccination and COVID mitigation measures by the Republican party/conservatives. But the cite I provided from the WP, and many others that I’ve read clearly indicate that this **isn’t** the main driver for these communities for why they aren’t getting a vaccine. > [@bump](#): > > We’ve tried fighting that good fight for four years now against these people. They’re resistant to logic and good sense, and at this point, if they get sick, it’s because they’ve chosen to because they’re crazy and stupid. So I’m back to my question. What does this mean? Is it time to stop? Vaccine passports yes or no? Mandated vaccines yes or no? I get it: you think they are crazy and they are stupid. But thinking they are crazy and stupid is a suitable thing for a rant, but doesn’t solve the current public health crisis. So what next? ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/164 "2021-08-06T15:01:36Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > I don’t agree with that statement (actually, I don’t agree with calling them “vaccinated”, which is not the same as saying they should be called “unvaccinated”), but at least I understand what number you’re using now. > > Thanks! …I’ve cited that figure several times in the thread, and written it out in full every other time I used it, but truncated it this time because I figured people would get what I meant by now. I’m sorry you missed the other times that I posted it. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/165 "2021-08-06T15:34:38Z")
What HAVEN’T we done with respect to marginalized communities? Here in Dallas, we’ve put vaccination centers in all sorts of places- community centers, rec centers, ethnic-centered churches, various public events, and even gone so far as to provide free transportation to and from these places/events. They even have people going door to door now. Why is that necessary? At this point, six months in, literally EVERYONE has had ample time and opportunity to get vaccinated. Anyone who’s not vaccinated by now has made a choice not to get vaccinated, and they need to accept the consequences of that act. If their communities are ravaged by COVID, that’s totally their own fault, and IMO, their problem. Doesn’t matter to me if it’s South or West Dallas and mistrust of the government, or if it’s politically motivated in Bell County (between here and Austin) where they only have a 30% vaccination rate. All these people have effectively chosen to NOT get vaccinated for six months. If they wanted to, they would have been by now- it’s been inexpensive enough (i.e. free) and accessible enough if they were willing. So if they choose not to, then tough luck. If they want to make it about choice, fine. They can spread it around among themselves and get sick and die all they like. Their choice. Just like wearing masks and getting vaccinated is their choice, or not trusting the government is their choice. My not giving a shit if they live or die at this point and not wanting to throw more resources at them is MY choice. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/166 "2021-08-06T15:52:55Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > So what is it you want to do? **Do we call it a day?** Close up shop? > [@bump](#): > > My not giving a shit if they live or die at this point and not wanting to throw more resources at them is MY choice. …so I guess that answers my question. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/167 "2021-08-06T16:36:30Z")
> **Modnote Rescinded** > > **Modnote** : Quoting posted out of context and without indicating that you snipped away a large portion of their post is not allowed. This one is pretty egregious and I’m going to check with other mods and possibly elevate it to a warning. > > Do not do this again! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/168 "2021-08-06T17:57:21Z")
> [@LauderdaleFort](#): > > My point is that if you, now, don’t have or have lost the vaccine card thingy and you need to get another one you’re faced with the same theoretical problems of getting voter ID. Were I to lose my physical card that was given to me (free) by the pharmacy, then all I have to do is log into [https://myirmobile.com](https://myirmobile.com) and print off the COVID-19 vaccination verification certificate. (And I can also download my complete immunisation record which, in my case, is complete from 2013.) ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/169 "2021-08-07T00:27:14Z")
> [@bump](#): > > What HAVEN’T we done with respect to marginalized communities? Here in Dallas, we’ve put vaccination centers in all sorts of places- community centers, rec centers, ethnic-centered churches, various public events, and even gone so far as to provide free transportation to and from these places/events. They even have people going door to door now. In addition to that, San Antonio is giving out $100 gift cards. Our bus system provides free rides to vaccine centers. Lyft offers free rides. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/170 "2021-08-07T03:39:20Z")
We live a half hour drive from the closest grocery store. A lot of marginalized folks live out here because its cheaper than living in town. (We bought here because a home half the size of ours would cost twice as much in town, I totally get it.) There was a very well publicized mobile vaccination clinic set up at the community center once. They had 100 slots available for J&J jabs and were also taking walk-ins. Because they weren’t able to give at least 75 jabs, they didn’t come back and I don’t really blame them. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/171 "2021-08-08T17:03:22Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > We live a half hour drive from the closest grocery store. People won’t travel half an hour for life-saving medicine? To get my first vaccine, I had to travel out of town (the first and only time I did so during the pandemic) and the trip there took more than an hour and a half. Then again, going to the dentist takes me about half an hour. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/172 "2021-08-08T17:10:19Z")
Certainly many medical offices and hospitals I or family members have had to visit have been a half-hour drive away, and sometimes two or three hours. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/173 "2021-08-08T21:21:16Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > People won’t travel half an hour for life-saving medicine? Only if they want it. If they don’t it’s an excuse not to. Considering the response to the mobile clinic, folks here don’t want it. I drove Mom an hour and a half for her first shot and was happy to only have to go half an hour when I was eligible. A 40ish friend broke both wrists and was scheduled to get her second shot the day after her surgery. She was so out of it that her husband had to practically carry her into Walgreens, but she was going to get her shot by god. If you want it you are going to get it even if your arms are broken. If you don’t want it, half an hour drive is too far. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/174 "2021-08-08T21:26:26Z")
Absolutely. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And where there isn’t a will, even an offered-on-silver-platter way won’t do. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/175 "2021-08-08T21:58:34Z")
Just in case anyone thinks you’re exaggerating - in addition to hospital and medical offices, NYC is providing vaccinations at drugstores, pop-up vaccination sites and mobile vans - many of which do not require an appointment. Since June 23 the city has been offering in-home vaccination to anyone who wants one ( it was offered earlier to homebound people). Still, something like 27% of adults have not even had one dose - whatever their reasons are, it’s not that they can’t get to a vaccination site. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/176 "2021-08-08T23:18:57Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > f voter ID was as free and easy to get as a vaccine, I imagine most of the resistance to voter ID laws would disappear. I also imagine that people who are using voter ID laws to stop the “wrong” people from voting wouldn’t bother and would try for some other method to cheat at elections. Just a thought; most chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, etc.) seem to do passport photos, why not allow them to do state photo IDs (or even driver’s license renewals) as well? They wouldn’t even need to print the actual ID cards on the spot; they could be mailed to applicants after they get their photos taken. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/177 "2021-08-09T00:07:33Z")
Cool idea, but the people who are requiring photo ID to vote don’t want to make it easy to get an ID. ---
**Author:** ![Bluenoser54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Bluenoser54](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluenoser54)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/178 "2021-08-09T15:48:45Z")
Vaccine passports can be defended on the same grounds that driver’s licenses can be. You’re not allowed to drive without a license. Why? Because you might harm somebody. Similarly, you might harm someone if you engage in certain activities without being vaccinated; therefore, you need the vaccine equivalent of a driver’s license. Imagine that (as may or may not actually be the case; I don’t know) poor people, African Americans, and Hispanics have a lower rate of driver’s licenses. Would driver’s licenses be racially biased? We don’t tend to think they are, in part because any bias – unlike that in the case of voter ID – is a byproduct of other goals and is not directly intentional. And even if driver’s licenses are racially biased, we shouldn’t remedy the situation by lowering the standards for drivers and thus making the roads more dangerous for all. Instead, we should improve access to driver’s licenses. By the same token, we should _not_ lower our standards regarding Covid vaccinations, which would be dangerous for all. Instead, we should require vaccine passports while also doing all we can to increase access to vaccination by poor people, African Americans, and Hispanics. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986/179 "2021-08-09T16:30:58Z")
> [@Bluenoser54](#): > > Would driver’s licenses be racially biased? We don’t tend to think they are, in part because any bias – unlike that in the case of voter ID – is a byproduct of other goals and is not directly intentional. Who’s “we”? “We” know access to Driver’s Licenses are racially biased in many states. And almost certainly deliberately so because they are always valid IDs for voting in states that have stricter Voter ID laws. Yes, the solution is to make them more widely available, but that would make it easier for everybody to vote, which is not the result some people want. Yes, the lack of availability is intentional. This is the gist of many of the objections raised in this thread - there’s a false equivalence being peddled here between IDs for voting and access to vaccines. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-vaccine-passports-affect-poorer-blacker-people-more-a-la-voter-id/947986.md?page=8)