Emma Brockes makes an excellent case against ridiculing vaccine-refused people (Should they shame anti-vaxxers?) This can only backfire, 31 juillet. She leaves out the most important point in her last sentence: Why is he thinking that? It's impossible to convince the hesitant to think otherwise.Target groups being left as an unvaccinated body can cause resentment among people with valid concerns. They are also lumped in with baseless conspiracists. As inveterate libertarians, they gain spurious legitimacy through their association with people who claim genuine (if inaccurately) medical fears. These groups rarely have to cite reliable facts to defend their positions, even though they are often sought out by the media via vox pop reporting.Instead of relying on reactive explanations or gimmicky inducements, the governments in the US and UK may be more successful in convincing the hesitant if these types misinformation are addressed clearly, separately, and repeatedly. Reliable information is still the best way to protect yourself from the spread of simplistic, syllogistic reasoning.Paul McGilchristColchester, EssexJohn Harris has some great points to make about the government's intention to rule through decree and suppress the right to protest. (Brexit, Covid have created an ideal moment for the politics and crackdown on 1 August). He is wrong to try to confound this with the case of green passes. The term vaccine passports is too simplistic since freedom from infection and non-infectiousness can be verified through other means than vaccination.A green pass system would stop the spread of coronavirus. It would also prevent its concomitant hospitalisations and deaths. This would reduce the risk of bars, clubs, matches, and concerts becoming super-preader venues. Public health measures are not intended to protect individual freedom.Des SeniorAylesbeare, DevonI support the idea that vaccine passports can be issued in certain settings, such as universities and workplaces where employees are required to get vaccinated. They could be considered discriminatory in the event that they are challenged in court.The British Human Rights Act states that no restrictions will be placed on the exercise [of these freedom of association] rights, except as provided by law. This is in order to ensure national security and public safety, the prevention of disorder and crime, the protection and promotion of health and morals, and the protection and enjoyment of the rights and liberties of others.Although I'm not a lawyer, these words show me that employers could require such proof to ensure that their employees are protected from Covid-19 transmission. This approach might be welcomed by their employees. If there is no such prescription, notices could be posted in shops, where it is known that all employees have been vaccinated. Customers could then go to another shop if they don't receive such notice.Patrick CosgroveChapel Lawn, Shropshire
