Penn Hackett
If you want to get vaccinated you must wear a mask in the vaccination centre. If you cannot wear a mask how do you get vaccinated?
The mask mandate has had a big impact on my life.
As a small business owner, I have advised my clients I will not be able to provide contracted services until the mask mandate is lifted.
I have withdrawn from my tertiary study primarily because they wanted mask-wearing on-site and in exams.
I am unable to drive my car because I cannot fill it with petrol.
I have not purchased anything from a supermarket (including click and collect) or a dairy. I have not set foot in any retail premises.
I am discouraged from visiting my relatives in a retirement village.
A mask exemption may allow me to do some of these activities but I object to a “papers please” approach and refuse to frequent or spend money where I am made to feel unwelcome. Some people with mask exemptions have been arrested so policing is inconsistent.
Vaccination does not allow me to do any of these activities with a mask mandate in place. The threat of a vaccine passport is irrelevant. Additionally, if I am not able to participate in society, then my chance of catching the virus is almost non-existent.
In my situation, if I thought vaccination were the best option for me, the risk of an adverse reaction to the vaccine would mean there is no incentive to vaccinate until the mask mandate is lifted.