With the Excelsior Pass, New York became the first state on Friday to launch the so-called vaccine passport, as reported by USA Today. Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo also promoted the launch on Friday on Twitter.
Today we launched the Excelsior Pass, a free platform for businesses and individuals that can be used to easily access the secure evidence of a recent COVID test or negative vaccination.
It is the first tool of its kind to help NY fight COVID as we safely reopen our economy.
To know more:
– Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 26, 2021
Using the downloaded application with some personal information to confirm their identity, New Yorkers can prove with a digital QR code that they have been vaccinated. “The data will come from the state’s vaccine registry and will also be linked to test data from several pre-approved testing companies,” according to USA Today. The passport will be useful for entering events and venues, and “already allows people to increase the size of a wedding party or other organized event”.
Naturally, concerns about privacy and data abound, with Bloomberg having already written at least two articles raising questions.
In addition, if someone reads the overview of the state website, this specific excerpt comes to mind: “Once you and your group enter an establishment, you will still be asked to follow the state and CDC guidelines regarding the social distance, facial coverage and hand hygiene. “
Won’t those who have been vaccinated need a mask anymore? Will President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci still insist on using two? What will change?
Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) already rejected the idea of a vaccine passport last week. “The vaccine passport is a terrible idea. We are definitely not going to offer anything from the state’s perspective. That is totally out of the question, ”reported Fox 4 News from southwest Florida.