Thread by @profsarahj

1/x OK. Gonna be a long thread here on what I think re human rights and vaccine passports/mandates. Ride along if you wish.

First, there is a human right to choose what goes into your body, eg as part of privacy (Art 17 ICCPR). This right is not however absolute.

2/It is clear in NSW, Vic & OS that unvaccinated are MUCH more likely to get very sick from COVID and require hospitalisation. This has the potential to crush hospital capacity, amidst reports of major strain already in Vic and NSW. So greater unvax = less hospital capacity

3/ Vaccination is less effective against catching Covid as opposed to catching severe Covid. N'ess, the unvaccinated are much more likely to both catch Covid and to transmit it (due to higher viral load).

4/ as a vaccinated person in good health, I don't feel much danger from unvaccinated person. But there are people who can't get vaccinated, as well as people who are vulnerable despite vaccination, eg immunocompromised. V high vax rates are thus v important

5/ so vaccination is not just about you and your health. It is about public health generally, including keeping hospitals functional, and in reducing the chances of transmitting COVID, especially to those most vulnerable.

6/ Now, vaccination is not mandatory in the sense of "no vax" being illegal (I heard that was happening in Philippines but Duterte is Duterte)

But vaccine passports & mandates put the unvaccinated at a disadvantage in certain contexts. So is this a breach of human rights?

7/ I count a "passport" as needing vax certificate to access a certain service or good (eg fly in plane or go to pub). The human rights issue there is access to goods and services on non-discriminatory basis.

Vax status is not a recognised prohibited ground of discrimination

8/ This is relevant, currently, in NSW and soon Vic, where it does seem almost everyone has had opp for vaccination. That's important.
Also, there should be exceptions for those who can't get vaxed or those who've had Covid (as they have significant immunity too).

9/ at present, while we are still uncertain as to what will happen with the hospitalisations curve, I cannot see that the vax passport system is a breach of human rights, for reasons explained above.

10/ as time goes forward and vax increases to over 90, the need for a passport wanes as a genuine form of herd immunity may emerge. Also, rapid testing is used for Dutch nightclub access - that could start to happen here in lieu of vaccination.

But for now, ... no breach.

11. now. Mandates. There are two types, ones imposed by govt and ones by businesses themselves. The main mandate issue seems to be the right to work in a certain job, tho it can also apply to crossing borders. These are human rights issues, right to work & freedom of movement

12/ first there are serious issues over whether mandates are a wise way of encouraging vaccination. While they might push us over 80, perhaps they might even stall is get#going to 90. On that see this thread:

https://twitter.com/binarythis/status/1442755829027926017

13/ I do agree with mandates for people working with especially vulnerable people, namely aged care and healthcare workers. I am more on the fence over other mandates, eg re all authorised workers in Vic, esp when it seems we may have reached vv high levels w/o them.

14/ for now, perhaps give Vic benefit of the doubt given it will help flatten the hospital curve as it reopens. But, again, should be exception for prior Covid infection & in near future, some accommodation via rapid testing. And shouldn't be needed forever.

15/ then there are mandates imposed by employers not govt. Human rights issues pertain, but private entities have more room to manouevre re human rights than govts. Ie these mandates less likely to breach than a govt mandate. Again, case by case issue, but most likely no breach

16/ so, there you have it. Not definitive, but, at the moment, generally no breaches, tho situation should continue to be monitored and alternatives like rapid testing considered in certain situations.

17/ And finally, I do agree that the claims of "segregation" and "apartheid" are OTT and crass.

At the same time, the extreme hostility to the unvaxed does concern me, esp as many are merely hesitant and genuinely afraid, so it doesn't help. Hardcore antivax are rare.

FIN