The divisiveness surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine mandates is creating a tense, unstable political and social climate in America. Everyone has their own opinion on Covid-19 and the changes that have come with it. A lot of these changes come in the form of rules or mandates that must be followed when in public settings. These public settings include places like schools, and workplaces. I believe these mandates should be respected as they are meant to keep people safe but many would disagree. So many have disagreed that they’ve attempted to bring these mandates to be challenged in court. Our society is strongly affected by these mandates so discussing them and the tensity they cause is very important to come together as a whole.

Schools are a place we send children to learn and make friends, schools are trusted to take care of these children and keep them safe. In “Justice Dept. Will Address ‘Disturbing Spike’ in Threats Against School Personnel.” by Erica Green, angry parents have made these schools a place of public disturbance because of their kids wearing mask in school. Wearing mask in public schools is a mandate that helped push for the schools to be reopened and make it a safer place for not only the students, but also the staff, and the families of both. The staff in these schools are getting threatened over these mandates. I feel as though parents should accept that these mandates are made to protect everyone, especially their children. It looks like to these angry parents, personal beliefs have become more important than the safety of their own children and families.

Its become a mandate that in most workplaces in our country, vaccination against Covid-19 is a requirement. In “Of Vaccine Mandates and Facing Reality.” by Paul Krugman, we learn that many are extremely unhappy with this requirement and feel that their personal rights are being obstructed. Many who are against vaccination have gone as far as quitting their jobs to avoid getting the vaccine. The alternative of weekly testing was implemented in many of these workplaces but ultimately has not been successful and many have resigned from their jobs. Personally, I was shocked to learn some are leaving jobs they have been in for a very long time over this. Of course this does not apply to every single workplace but all around America in different workplaces, People have decided to resign. This has shown me that some do not care so much about their own careers and ways of living, but respect their own values more. I respect people that have a strong sense of their own morality but when it not only puts you and the other people around you at risk, It should be considered that you should get vaccinated for the sake of your health and financial wellbeing.

The Covid-19 mandates have caused a lot of unrest both politically and socially, so much so that they are being tried in courts. Many question if it is constitutional to make these Covid-19 mandates, actual mandates. Jacob Gershman informed us on what is happening in his article “Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates Are Surviving Nearly All Court Challenges”. The mandates are surviving these lawsuits and court trials because the Biden administration has made these mandates as part of a state of emergency that deems them necessary. These mandates are rightfully so surviving as I agree that these mandates are only made to protect the publics health. The vaccines and mask are proven to have  helped decrease cases of Covid-19, everyone is entitled to have their freedom to have an opposing opinion but when there is fact to prove it helps, it should be taken seriously. The mandates are put in place to keep Covid-19 cases as low as possible and to keep everyone safe and healthy. The threat of Covid-19 is still very much out there and to not wear a mask or get vaccinated is a big risk to yourself and anyone you are around. The courts and the Biden administration have peoples health in mind as a main priority.

I strongly believe in all Covid-19 mandates. They would not be set in place if they were not necessary and proven to make everyday life safer for everybody. Mask should be required in schools, as should vaccines and mask be required and encouraged in workplaces. Every individual is entitled to their opinion but this is peoples health being put at risk. I hope the mandates continue to survive any challenges it faces in courts. When the health of every single person, of any age, is being put at risk of a very dangerous and often fatal disease, We should all put our differences aside and agree to do whatever necessary to keep ourselves and each other safe.

Works Cited

Green, Erica “Justice Dept. Will Address ‘Disturbing Spike’ in Threats Against School Personnel.” The New York Times.  Oct. 5, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/us/politics/school-threats-justice-department.html?smid=url-share

Krugman, Paul. “Of Vaccine Mandates and Facing Reality.” The New York Times. September. 30, 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/30/opinion/vaccine-mandates-republicans.html?searchResultPosition=1 Of Vaccine Mandates and Facing Reality-

Gershman, Jacob. “Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates Are Surviving Nearly All Court Challenges” The Wall Street Journal. October. 22, 2021 https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-mandates-are-surviving-nearly-all-court-challenges-11634904317