USA TODAY International Edition

Other Views: From health care to business to religious reasons

- Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Matthew Guido and Amaya Diana, USA TODAY:

“The Biden administra­tion cannot and will not introduce a nationwide COVID- 19 vaccine mandate. ... More practicall­y, a federal mandate would be nearly impossible to enforce. If someone refused the vaccine, how would the federal government respond? The politiciza­tion of everything related to COVID- 19, even masks, also negates this possibilit­y. Going into the 2022 midterms, Democrats are right not to risk political backlash and conservati­ve claims of government overreach. ... On Monday morning, 57 organizati­ons representi­ng every part of the health care industry – from physicians and nurses to pharmacist­s and physician assistants, from public health officials to long- term care workers – called for mandatory vaccinatio­ns for health care workers. CEOs, corporate leaders and employers in other parts of the economy need to follow suit.”

Paul Brandus, USA TODAY:

“Mississipp­i's refusal to take vaccinatio­n seriously is causing damage. According to the latest Mayo Clinic data, it ranks dead last in the percentage of its citizens – 38.6% – who have gotten at least one shot of the vaccine. But I don't want to pick too much on Mississipp­i, because it has some company. In 15 other states, under 50% of citizens have gotten at least one shot of a vaccine. ... Here's a question for business developmen­t folks in these states. If you came to me, the big cheese at XYZ Widget Co., and said, ‘ Hey, we understand you're looking to expand, we hope you'll consider coming here,' one of the questions I'd now ask ( is): ‘ Tell me why I should come here and hire a workforce that isn't taking care of itself. A workforce that places itself – and thus my precious investment capital – at greater risk?' ”

Dr. Andrew Wong, USA TODAY:

“As a doctor and a Christian, I am struck by the profound difference that my fellow Christians could make in the trajectory of the pandemic by getting vaccinated. ... The most convincing reason to overcome ( vaccine hesitancy) is what Jesus described as the second great Commandmen­t after loving the Lord your God – love your neighbor as yourself.”

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