(We yield this space to the position paper of the Alliance Against Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination due to its timeliness. – Ed.)
BEYOND the numbers of cases – the vaccinated, the unvaccinated, the sick, and those who died – are real people and countless lives that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis confronting us is not merely a medical issue but is a deeply social issue with implications for the political, economic and cultural realms. All sectors should be engaged in addressing the myriad issues including how to end the pandemic.
We believe that COVID-19 is risky for specific vulnerable populations, therefore focused and targeted strategies addressed to this particular population should be emphasized.
Given the current state of vaccines with unverified safety, limited efficacy and still supplied under the emergency use agreement, the decision to get vaccinated should be an individual choice based on informed consent. Given the novelty of the vaccines and the still ongoing research into the virus and the effects of the treatment on different populations, people must take responsibility for their own health and wellness.
Our Constitution guarantees our right to life, liberty and health and enshrines our autonomy to decide on matters that affect our bodies, free from coercion by those who claim to act on our best interest.
We believe that never again should there be discrimination: whether slaves or free, male or female, colored or white, vaccinated or unvaccinated. This can deteriorate to become those with basic rights and those who have no rights at all. This is a deadly trajectory that will lead to greater inequality and discrimination and must be resisted. Too many times in history people have waited until it was too late to resist. We believe that questioning, criticism, and dissent must be valued and protected to ensure scientific inquiry.
We mourn the thousands who have died of COVID directly and indirectly and the mourning should fuel our resolve to protect lives and the free, democratic way of life. We thus resist the unethical mandates and the undemocratic political direction that have been imposed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even the World Health Organization has warned against resorting to vaccine mandates and has instead urged countries to focus on voluntariness, through education and engagement.
We call on those who have been injured by the policies, mandates and even the vaccination itself to speak up and awaken from this silent acquiescence. We are not facing COVID alone. There are other ways to mitigate this problem and it has become clear that the vaccines will not end it. Promote healthy lifestyle, educate people on early home treatment and ensure free, accessible and quality medical care.
We call on all conscientious Filipinos to join together to rise up to this challenge and to affirm our sovereignty, our dignity and our responsibility.
Let us not despair in isolated silence and fail to act.
