Should Coronavirus Vaccination be Mandatory to Cruise?

[Hlitner]

More then 2 months ago I got flamed for posting that "we don't know what we don't know" when it comes to COVID.  A few here on CC were taking the optimistic position that "science" had already discovered all they needed to know about COVID.  Well, nothing has changed.  While we keep learning more about this virus every day, there is still a lot to learn and there are some very disturbing morbidity issues that continue to stump the real experts.   While much of the early focus was upon mortality issues, it is the morbidity that will likely be a major fall out for years.  The post about the so-called "long haulers" has taken on even more of a life since Dr. Fauci actually used that term in his recent testimony.  

 

For the younger folks that figure they are relatively low risk and COVID is just another flu-like infection that quickly goes away.. but that ignores the growing evidence of various morbidities such as inflammation of the heart, clotting disorders, etc.   We know of one young (30s) man who lost his sense of smell/taste (because of COVID) and months later it has yet to return.  The long term ramifications of his problem are unknown but just imagine going through life with no sense of taste or smell.

 

Many people have their own agendas for their own reasons.  But with public health, while there may not be any single solution to a problem, taking multiple measures increases the odds of avoiding outbreaks.  Mandating vaccinations is one important measure and promoting social distancing and reasoned mask wearing would also add to the preventatives measures.  Put all this together along with enhanced cleaning measures and you will certainly improve the odds of a cruise that will not be interrupted by COVID.  Those that refuse to go along with the program should be asked to get along and take their business elsewhere.  Make no mistake that it takes real enforcement to make public health measures work.  We already see this on the airlines where some folks choose to ignore mandatory mask requirements (which get them banned from the airline forever) rather then go along with the relatively simple preventative measure.  Personally I find these kind of folks (who refuse to follow basic measures for their own reasons) terribly selfish.  In our society most of us accept the idea of protest and publicly making one's point, but when one's right to resist infringes on other's right to exist the solution is obvious.

 

Hank

[clo]

3 hours ago, K32682 said:

most nations will establish proof of inoculation as a condition of entry.

I really don't think rabid cruisers - most not all - understand that restarting cruising is going to be an enormous task. Once it was halted, a whole lot of issues have come up and will have to be addresses. All over the world.

[Toofarfromthesea]

4 hours ago, K32682 said:

Even if the cruise lines don't impose a mandatory vaccine requirement it should be expected that when a coronavirus vaccine is widely available most nations will establish proof of inoculation as a condition of entry. Mandatory vaccinations aren't new and many nations already require visitors to have various inoculations before being admitted.  So while anti-vax kooks may be allowed to cruise they won't be let off the boat. 

 

 

 

At the expected effectiveness level of a vaccine, they may be smarter to demand proof that the person has been taking Vitamin D supplements, which might be more effective than a vaccine.

[Toofarfromthesea]

38 minutes ago, clo said:

I really don't think rabid cruisers - most not all - understand that restarting cruising is going to be an enormous task. Once it was halted, a whole lot of issues have come up and will have to be addresses. All over the world.

 

There is no vaccine now, yet limited cruising has already resumed.  And I plan to get on a ship in 43 days, if it sails.