The Texas Tribune has recently published an article on the government mandates on COVID-19 vaccine bans by the Governor of Texas Greg Abbott regarding COVID 19 vaccines. In particular, the article notes that the Governor has announced an executive order that prohibits any government entities to “compelling any individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine” (Svitek, 2021, para. 5). An exception to this order is nursing homes, as well as state-supported living centers. Additionally, Abbott urged lawmakers to develop appropriate legislation to govern the functioning of state and federal vaccine mandates. This order was issued shortly after the approval of the Phizer vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Governor also specifically emphasized that private businesses and public entities receiving private funding cannot require an individual to confirm vaccination to receive services, although it was already banned by the state law. However, this order does not affect the requirements that private entities may establish regarding the vaccination of their employees. In this regard, some independent institutions are already criticizing the mandates banning of the Governor, as they are convinced that “the safest path forward… is for all staff to become vaccinated” (Svitek, 2021, para. 14). Governor Abbott has previously resisted forced vaccinations and the wearing of personal protective equipment, which sparked widespread resentment. In this context, there is a rapid increase in infections in Texas, and the percentage of the population vaccinated is less than half (Svitek, 2021). Many believe that the approval of the vaccine could help accelerate the rate of vaccination among Texans, and the Abbott order is having a negative impact on the epidemiological situation.
Governor Greg Abbott is a member of the Republican Party, which in part explains his views on the situation. In particular, in the context of the global pandemic, the Governor focuses on the personal choice of people, saving them from mandatory vaccination. This step can encourage people to be more responsible in assessing facts and making decisions. On the other hand, this strategy threatens the well-being of the whole society and attracts widespread criticism, which also negatively affects the attitude of the population towards the Governor.
The banning of mandates exclusively affects government entities, which supports the right of people to receive a variety of public services. A ban on visiting any institution without proof of vaccination may become an act of segregation. In this situation, Abbott, in my opinion, is taking the right direction since he emphasizes the equality of all citizens, regardless of their position on vaccination. Private entities can still independently regulate their policies regarding the need for proof of vaccination, which also preserves their rights to self-government.
The situation described in the article is still extremely controversial since it contains a discrepancy between individual and social values. However, Abbott, as any other official, is a person who may have convictions of his own, which he sees as good for society. Although the statistics given in the conclusion of the article suggest that he should reconsider the course of his actions, it is also possible that he is looking for his solution. I think there is a need for diversity in the world, which is also expressed by unpopular points of view as Governor Abbott’s. At the same time, it is difficult at the moment to assess how dramatic the consequences of such a polarity can be.
Reference
Svitek, P. (2021). Gov. Greg Abbott bans government mandates on COVID-19 vaccines regardless of whether they have full FDA approval. The Texas Tribune.