With Excelsior Pass, New York became the first state to launch a so-called vaccine passport on Friday, as reported by USA Today. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo also promoted the launch on Twitter on Friday.
Today we launched Excelsior Pass, a free platform for companies and individuals that can be used to easily access secure proof of a recent negative COVID test or vaccination.
It is the first tool of its kind to help NY fight COVID while reopening our economy safely.
Find out more:
– Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 26, 2021
Using the downloaded application with 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 a number of pre-approved testing companies,” according to USA Today. The passport will be useful for entering events and places and “already allows people to increase the size of a wedding party or other prepared event.”
Naturally, privacy and data issues abound, Bloomberg has already written at least two plays raising issues.
Moreover, if someone reads the overview on the state’s website, this excerpt comes to mind: CDC on social distancing, face covering and hand hygiene. “
Will those who have been vaccinated no longer be expected to wear a mask? Will President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci insist on wearing two more? What will really change?
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has already rejected the idea of a vaccine passport last week. “The vaccine passport is a terrible idea. We will certainly not offer anything from the state’s perspective. This is completely off the table,” Fox 4 News of Southwest Florida reported.