Your choice is also your responsibility

Why vaccinate? To prevent the danger of severe disease to our children, elders, front line workers, and ourselves. Consider these numbers: California counties which have 60-80 % of their population vaccinated, typically have 15-30 cases per day per 100K residents. Presently in Chico there are fewer than 50% of us vaccinated, and, as a result, 72 cases a day per 100K. These new cases are almost entirely unvaccinated people. I know there are many reasons that people do not get vaccinated, and I disagree with almost all of them. But in a free society people should not be required to be vaccinated. I can see this.

But at the same time, if people choose nonvaccination, they should not enter into public life where they endanger others. This is what “mandate” means. We have many such mandates that condition our participation in the public sphere. You cannot drive on a public road without getting a drivers’ license. You cannot drive your car if you are drunk. This does not mean you are forced to get a drivers’ license, or you cannot get drunk. It just means you cannot move into the public sphere and endanger others with your behavior if you are unlicensed or drunk. Please, if you choose not to vaccinate, stay away from strangers. Please avoid going near children. If, having refused vaccination, you contract the disease and are taken to the hospital, chances of death are much higher, and you will endanger those who care for you. Your choice but also your responsibility.

— Jim Anderson, Chico