This week’s question: What do you think about the idea of ‘vaccine passports’ for individuals to show proof they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19?

The Buzz is a weekly question about an issue affecting the residents of Hampton Roads.

If it will help to get things back to normal quicker, then I am all for it. People certainly have the right to refuse vaccinations but must realize this may have ramifications for them in order to protect others.

Joyce Southern, Newport News

The impoverished, seniors living alone, and people of color are overrepresented in the number of confirmed COVID infection cases and hospital deaths. However, they are woefully underrepresented in the number of fully vaccinated citizens. As long as these inequalities exist, mandating a vaccine passport further perpetuates the inequalities these groups of citizens already experience.

Cynthia D. Phillips, Hampton

There is a place for a vaccination passport. In the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and into the ’80s all travelers to certain parts of the world were required to carry a yellow vaccination record. This insured the traveler had been vaccinated against smallpox, yellow fever and Cholera. The concern over such documentation seems to be way out of proportion.

Talbot N. Vivian, DHA, Yorktown

There is no passport to go from one state to another. Another country may require vaccination evidence to enter their country. As for me I won’t board a cruise ship unless myself and the other passengers are vaccinated for COVID-19 or to another state. Liberty is in conflict with the public health.

Robert Neely, Newport News

I was issued a card listing my shots two of vaccine and the dates given. Why does one need additional documentation and its cost to the government to issue?

Ross Kearney, Hampton

I think deciding what to do about vaccine passports is difficult. Legitimate public health concerns favoring passports and legitimate personal privacy concerns disfavoring them exist. A spirited, bipartisan, public debate about how to strike a good balance would be cool. Sadly, we’ll only get partisan bickering.

Michael Holloway, York County

I like the idea but am concerned about fake ones. Real “vaccports” would have to come with the same security features as a driver’s license to ensure validity. At that point, they might as well include an endorsement on one’s license or state

ID card. Perhaps free ID cards for those who don’t drive but do get vaccinated? Cari Mansfield, Hampton

We need vaccine passports. This is not new. Last century, as we fought smallpox, plague and other killer diseases, one could not travel without an immunization record. Like these past public health threats, COVID-19 will continue to kill until the world is immunized. Ignorance of history has a price.

Dave McGinnis, Williamsburg

I never thought I was being adversely branded by having immunizations kept on a Navy shot card, or blood donations on a Red Cross card, or medical records in a hospital database. So why the flap over a card to prove I’ve had my COVID vaccinations? No big deal.

John Hammond, Virginia Beach

No problem! Just one little add-on. Any person involved in falsifying, manufacturing, selling, giving away, trading for, soliciting purchase of or using an unauthorized vaccine passport shall be fined $10,000, imprisoned for a term of no less than three years served and banished to Mississippi or Arkansas for five years following completion of prison term.

D. A. Willard, James City County

I would say no. That’s an infringement on our freedoms. This government is slowly creeping into our lives to control every aspect of our lives, just like China.

Dianne Simon, Norfolk

Requiring vaccine passports would certainly give me peace of mind when I begin to travel again. Hopefully a safe, easy, fraud-proof system can be created. Linda Smith, Chesapeake

This is a great idea. A vaccine passport simultaneously gives travelers a sense of security, enhances tourism and business, and — hopefully — acts as a stimulus to people who are lagging. This is a national health issue. Don’t have your vaccine? Get in the game and get one.

Paul Emens, Virginia Beach

Wonderful idea, but why stop with just COVID-19 shots? A vaccination card could be clipped on masks that lists a person’s inoculations — flu, measles, mumps, whooping cough, bubonic plague, polio, etc. Each person will be locked in his or her home until their inoculations are complete and current.

Next week’s question: What are some ways Hampton Roads can cut down on the trash and littering in our communities?

Want to participate in The Buzz? Email letters@pilotonline.com to respond to this week’s question, propose a question or to join The Buzz mailing list to receive the weekly question via email. Include your first and last name and city of residence. Responses should be no more than 50 words and must be received by Tuesday, April 20 at 5 p.m. Answers may be edited.