With the power to make decisions come the responsibility to make the right ones.
That’s the guiding principle that comes with the freedom to make choices. We can pretty much relate to that. Most recently with the vaccination debate as a way to achieve herd immunity against the Covid-19 scourge.
While we respect those who opt not to be vaccinated in the name of freedom of choice, there is also the natural consequence when choices are made. In the case of vaccination, those who decided to take the vaccination process are qualified to enjoy the benefits of being vaccinated–both legal and natural. When you are vaccinated, it means freedom to go about your lifestyle albeit with precaution. Most jurisdictions around the world provide mechanisms for those vaccinated individuals to get access to public facilities, transport, employment and other opportunities offered only to the vaccinated.
On the other hand, several countries have implemented such restrictions as “no vaccine, no work”, ” no vaccine no entry”, among others.
In Davao City, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has maintained a non-discriminatory stance and make vaccination as a matter of choice. Hence, non-compliance to the government’s vaccination program is considered an expression of freedom to choose.
This puts us in a precarious situation as medical experts have proven that vaccination has helped a lot in containing the spread of the virus. By contrast, those unvaccinated are the most prone to contracting the virus and with more adverse effects than one who is vaccinated.
Right now, the situation has not forced us to make a defining decision but it is likely that we are heading to that given the example in Metro Manila and in most parts of Luzon.
If that happens, we go back to the reliable saying: With the power to make decisions come the responsibility to make the right ones.
