The first amendment allows Santa Barbara demonstrators like these to voice their opinions, as dangerous as they may be. But that doesn’t mean we as a community have to let them eat next to us at an indoor restaurant or breathe on us at the gym. | Credit: Ryan P. Cruz
We can’t make people get the COVID-19 vaccine. Forced inoculation only has room in dystopian fiction. But what we can do is limit the privileges of those who choose their deluded definition of personal freedom over medical science and the common good.
San Francisco has the right idea. Starting August 20, the City by the Bay will require patrons to show proof of complete vaccination to enter indoor gyms, restaurants, bars, and other venues. While some cities are limiting indoor activities to people who have at least one dose or negative test results, San Francisco is the first municipality in the country to require the full monty.
Santa Barbara should follow suit. Not to punish the anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers ― though maybe a little consequence for their irresponsibility wouldn’t be such a bad thing ― but to keep those of us who’ve done the right thing safe.
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