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General Discussion / Re: Coronavirus
« Last post by Treehugger on Today at 10:08:10 AM »More will get the vaccine because employers will likely make it mandatory.
Maybe. I think it’s more likely that many employers will simply say that a vaccine is available, so remote work and staggered schedules and other accommodations aren’t necessary. Most employers won’t want to deal with grievances and medical exemption paperwork that requiring vaccine would prompt. Large employers may arrange vaccine shots onsite, which will help.
That will surely be the most effective way of spreading vaccination when it becomes generally available. Vaccine-skeptical employees will have to answer for themselves which are they more afraid of--getting the disease, or trusting the vaccine? I imagine most will go for the vaccine. The young invincibles who don't fear getting sick in the first place will be another story. I kind of like puget's idea of making them bear the medical costs if they get sick. Then again, a lot of them already don't think they need insurance anyway.
I think we're probably going to have a high rate of take-up for the vaccine among those who consider themselves to be at risk, or are mindful of their own potential to become spreaders. I'll certainly take it when the opportunity comes, so as not to risk spreading it to co-workers, family, patrons, etc.
To be clear, that was pigou not me. I can understand the temptation but don't think this is a good idea-- its a slippery slope to deciding who deserves healthcare (do you not get health coverage for your diabetes because you should have exercised and eaten better?). I do think there can and will other natural consequences -- no vaccine, no school/college is an obvious one that is already the case most places for other vaccinations. Also maybe no air/train travel, no returning to work in person, etc. There is strong precedent for requiring compliance with public health measures in this way.
Yes, this attitude scares me. I am a never smoker who was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. However, I found out (a nurse at a practice to which I was referred clued me in) that I was most definitely not believed. My original oncologist (whom I “fired”) went on and on and on in my visit notes about how I was a smoker and lying to his face about it. (Believe me, it was a lot more than a simple “patient denies smoking, but I have my doubts”.) In any case, even without such policies, I found that misinformation in file distressing and wound up spending a long time dealing with it. I can’t even begin to imagine the nightmare if I was actually going to be denied insurance coverage because of it.