Dear Dr. Christ,

I’m contacting you because I believe you can help with implementing an important step toward bringing a halt to the current pandemic.

Because there’s been no mention of providing either a photo ID or other proof of vaccination when the coronavirus vaccine is distributed, I’m concerned that this will be noticeably lacking as Americans begin receiving the vaccine.

Should this oversight not be immediately corrected, there will be chaos when it comes to determining which provider of personal services is “safe.” This would include doctors, dentists, barbers, beauticians, massage therapists and more, not to mention our schools and parent and teacher concerns. Would you take someone’s word for it when they tell you that “yes, I’ve been vaccinated”?

I foresee a time coming soon when the same folks who have been agreeable to wearing masks and maintaining social distance will be equally discriminating in whom they choose to provide their personal services. I can see dental offices, for example, announcing that the entire office staff has been vaccinated and perhaps even further that only patients who can show proof of vaccination will be accommodated. This might come as a surprise to those who all this time have refused to consider their fellow Americans in every plea for safety measures as they themselves will now be refused service in many locations.

However, without some form of proof, as noted, I see chaos resulting unless our incoming administration soon acts on this easy-to-overlook measure.

I’ve chosen to contact you because you will have the new administration’s ear, especially those officials who can have an influence in including a proof of vaccination at the time these shots are administered. Though the numbers aren’t out yet, I can only assume that if you have received a vaccine that’s 95 percent effective and if you are interacting with another person who has also received a vaccine that’s 95 percent effective that the level of protection will be elevated to a figure that exceeds 95 percent during the time that you and that person are in the same room or space.

I would be grateful for a reply to this message. Thank you and God bless.

George Newman
5141 E. Woodgate Lane
Tucson, AZ 85712-1379
520-325-1224