johnu, on 2021-July-24, 13:44, said:
As I have previously suggested, we can make refusing to get vaccinated a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies and Medicare/Medicaid can refuse to cover medical costs for those anti-vaxxers who refuse to get vaccinated and put a burden on the health care system. The pre-existing condition exclusion would be waived for those who have a legitimate medical condition that prevents them from getting vaccinated, but I think those would be very, very rare. There would be no waiver for religious objectors. There is no reason for other citizens to subsidize their anti-social cult practices.
We basically had the same argument in the US over seat belts, motorcycle helmets, smoking, ??? Life insurance companies have long had higher premium rates for smokers.
When push comes to shove, I am not sure I am willing to do this. I am opposed to going over Niagara Falls in a barrel but if someone does it and needs medical help, I suppose he should get it. Still, if hospital beds get crowded, as well they might, then irresponsibility, however manifested, should put a person on low priority.
Let me compare the situation with two motor vehicle regulations. We are to wear seat belts. Not doing so risks personal injury. Cross-country truck drivers are limited in how long they can be on the road without taking a break. Ignoring this rule endangers the drivers, but it also endangers others. It's this second one that seems closer to vaccine refusal. Sure they should get the shots for their own good but I favor focusing on others. So if they refuse the shot, then ban them from just about all public activities. They can get their groceries by calling ahead and having what they order brought out and put in the trunk of their car. And so on. Don't get the vaccine? Stay away from the rest of us. I think such an approach would have broad support.
Of course I still hope many will come around. To call their refusal adolescent understates the matter by quite a bit. Even as an adolescent I got my shots.