"What won't matter, at all, is a policy that keeps an unvaccinated 35-year-old Serbian athlete from entering the United States."
The policy is not directed at 35-year-old Serbian athletes -- it's aimed at everyone entering the US. It may seem especially ridiculous when applied to Djokovic, but we can't tailor every rule to every edge case. Everyone has to deal with rules that seem ridiculous sometimes, but the idea that we ought to change the rules for or exempt rich/famous/powerful people is not a good argument. Maybe you think the travel requirement has outlived its value, but then Djokovic's ability to play in the US Open is not exactly your best argument, as it's not a particularly representative example. And, in fact, travel requirements for athletes DO have some value -- Aaron Judge and other baseball players seem to have gotten vaccinated primarily so they could play in Canada. Even if the public health impact is small, it's positive, and it's certainly greater than the public health impact of Djokovic catching Nadal.
"Djokovic seems at peace with his decision. He confirmed on July 10th he won’t get vaccinated to play in New York City."
Doesn't seem like there is an issue here. Being a pro sportsball player doesn't make you any better than anyone else, and it doesn't mean you don't have to follow the rules, just like the rest of us.
I am sick and tired of the rules only applying to the great unwashed.
"The virus will keep mutating on its own, eventually becoming endemic."
Drill down a bit and you'll find that "pandemic" and "endemic" don't have very useful definitions. It is well past time for us to let all of these rules and restrictions go.
1. So many topics to cover. Here’s an idea - let’s talk about why vaccines are useless! Great choice.
2. As you note, vaccines do reduce severity of disease and death. You acknowledge that they serve a purpose. (I also don’t think it’s completely clear that vaccines are irrelevant to transmission. That’s an overstatement.)
3. I accept that by this point most of those who choose to be unvaccinated are not likely to be persuaded by mandates. But there are still many people who choose vaccination and boosters on a daily basis, and we should be encouraging that.
4. And most importantly, because of 3 - we should still be encouraging vaccines in every way possible. OK for someone to choose for themselves and accept the consequences, but to validate/justify that affirmatively seems shockingly wrongheaded.
I have not heard any legitimate public health authority take this position. A weird and defining point of view.
I believe that a virus won't go away until it can no longer find hosts. The more people that get covid, the better for all of us. That is what I am summarizing..
"What won't matter, at all, is a policy that keeps an unvaccinated 35-year-old Serbian athlete from entering the United States."
The policy is not directed at 35-year-old Serbian athletes -- it's aimed at everyone entering the US. It may seem especially ridiculous when applied to Djokovic, but we can't tailor every rule to every edge case. Everyone has to deal with rules that seem ridiculous sometimes, but the idea that we ought to change the rules for or exempt rich/famous/powerful people is not a good argument. Maybe you think the travel requirement has outlived its value, but then Djokovic's ability to play in the US Open is not exactly your best argument, as it's not a particularly representative example. And, in fact, travel requirements for athletes DO have some value -- Aaron Judge and other baseball players seem to have gotten vaccinated primarily so they could play in Canada. Even if the public health impact is small, it's positive, and it's certainly greater than the public health impact of Djokovic catching Nadal.
Great piece Ross, and kudos for banging this drum.
Fully agree with you, the mandates need to stop ASAP.
Thank you. I really like this piece. We need to come to grips that not all things people deem to be “good” needs to be mandated.
"Djokovic seems at peace with his decision. He confirmed on July 10th he won’t get vaccinated to play in New York City."
Doesn't seem like there is an issue here. Being a pro sportsball player doesn't make you any better than anyone else, and it doesn't mean you don't have to follow the rules, just like the rest of us.
I am sick and tired of the rules only applying to the great unwashed.
"The virus will keep mutating on its own, eventually becoming endemic."
Drill down a bit and you'll find that "pandemic" and "endemic" don't have very useful definitions. It is well past time for us to let all of these rules and restrictions go.
This strikes me as a solidly wrong take.
1. So many topics to cover. Here’s an idea - let’s talk about why vaccines are useless! Great choice.
2. As you note, vaccines do reduce severity of disease and death. You acknowledge that they serve a purpose. (I also don’t think it’s completely clear that vaccines are irrelevant to transmission. That’s an overstatement.)
3. I accept that by this point most of those who choose to be unvaccinated are not likely to be persuaded by mandates. But there are still many people who choose vaccination and boosters on a daily basis, and we should be encouraging that.
4. And most importantly, because of 3 - we should still be encouraging vaccines in every way possible. OK for someone to choose for themselves and accept the consequences, but to validate/justify that affirmatively seems shockingly wrongheaded.
I have not heard any legitimate public health authority take this position. A weird and defining point of view.
I believe that a virus won't go away until it can no longer find hosts. The more people that get covid, the better for all of us. That is what I am summarizing..