Editorial: The lingering effects and decisions because of COVID-19

Governor Ralph Northam’s updated executive order now allows for those who are fully vaccinated to remove their masks and no longer require social distancing.

But is it the right time for that?

Before you even ask, this editorial isn’t telling a person what they should or should not do. It’s an editorial to make you think and wonder. Sometimes, tackling a sensitive subject head-on will spark interesting conversation.

Those who are fully vaccinated are essentially free to resume life “as normal as possible.” However, what will prevent a person who has not been vaccinated from doing the same?

The expectation is that adults will make the mature decision and abide by an “honor system” to ensure the safety of those around us. The last time I heard about an “honor system” was my freshman year in college. And if you’ve ever taken classes at a higher institution, there will be those people who violate the honor system. The same thing can go for the no-mask/mask requirement.

Let’s get this out the way. We’re humans. We’re individuals. We don’t like being told what to do. It happened when the mask mandate was first implemented. It happened when vaccines were developed. Now, it happens because of the repeal of the mask mandate.

Private businesses can implement their own rules because they are entities. If they still require a mask, you have to wear one. At the same time, where is the line drawn?

If an individual wants to keep a mask on, do you allow them to? Do storeowners fear that keeping a mask on conceals a person’s identity, especially if it’s a criminal that may want to rob a store?

Some colleges and institutions are requiring students to be fully vaccinated before returning to on-campus activities. That’s fine, but what if they have that one student who doesn’t want to do that? If a student is paying $25,000 a year to attend college and you won’t let them in, is it against the law to discriminate against them?

Legally, nobody can ask for your medical information. HIPPA prevents that. But there will be a line when that law is challenged. When and where it happens, who knows.

As adults, this subject of rights and mandates, especially when it regards to COVID-19 issues, has been a back-and-forth argument. It will remain that way for a while.

Nobody is right and nobody is wrong in their beliefs. Just be respectful of the rules if someone chooses to implement them. You have to be accountable for yourself. You also have to consider others.

There is no true resolution on what we’re dealing with. Just know that we must learn from our past to better our future.