Readers divided on mandates

Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: With new COVID-19 cases surging over 1,000 a day in New Mexico, and given the strain on our hospitals, should Albuquerque and Bernalillo County leaders enact vaccine mandates for employees as UNM has done? And should proof of vaccination (for those eligible) be required to use city and county community centers?

“I support vaccines. I do not support mandates. I am philosophically opposed to vaccine passports as an invasion of privacy. Random goons asking “Can I see you papers, please” is not the American way.”

— JC Shepard, Albuquerque

“Yes, on vaccine mandate. If no vaccine mandate, then city and county should install, advertise and monitor a safe way for all interactions between the public and employees, e.g., a universal mask requirement, or virtual interactions.”

— Mike McGlaun, Albuquerque

“No to vaccine mandates. Get the facts on vacs. If they are so good, why are doctors and nurses refusing to take them and willing to give up their careers to avoid the jab?”

— Gunhild Vetter, Bosque Farms

“Yes, city/county employee vaccines should be mandated, with medical exceptions. People have the choice to refuse protection but should not have the choice to risk others. Vaccination proof for use of city/county facilities should also be required for the same reason.”

— Doranna Durgin, Tijeras

“No vaccine mandates. Proof of vaccination requirement is a violation of individual rights.”

— Earl Godwin, Albuquerque

“Absolutely yes. It’s crazy not to mandate vaccinations for police, fire and other city workers. If people don’t want to vaccinate, keep them out of our centers and away from vaccinated folks. I personally won’t go to a senior center until that happens.”

— Bernd Deve, Albuquerque

“Vaccine mandates are absolutely wrong. Why would any free person allow the government to require them to give up sovereignty over their body? I will not go anywhere proof of vaccine is required especially since neighboring states don’t require it or masks.”

— Morris Williams, Grants

“Yes, and vaccination should be a requirement of all public employment and benefits at this point. This mess is costing us money and people.”

— Maria Bernstein, Albuquerque

“No, there is too much division in our community already. Don’t further isolate those who chose not to get vaccinated.” — Jeanette A. Walther, Albuquerque

“Everyone should be required to get the COVID vaccine. A community has the right to protect itself from an epidemic or a pandemic. The only exception should be a medical reason. And given the rampant spread of this virus, yes we should have to prove we are vaccinated.”

— Dan Webster, Albuquerque

“Is everyone nuts? This is a clear violation of rights. Please don’t do this.” — Fred Trussell, Albuquerque

“Yes, I think that proof of vaccination should be required to use city and county community centers. These centers draw people of all ages and states of health.” — Omar Durant, Albuquerque

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: The state Supreme Court is being asked to settle an ongoing dispute between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state lawmakers over who should decide how to spend federal relief funds. Should the governor have authority over spending the federal funds or should the money go through the traditional legislative appropriation process?

Want to participate in Top of Mind? Send your thoughts in 50 words or less with your name and city to question@ abqjournal.com. Look for reader responses in this space next week.