Covid-19 appears to be a slight changing of the times in that it has marked an increase in autocratic government power in democratic nations. Following are just a few examples: Austria, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan are requiring all citizens to be vaccinated. Greece has imposed a 50 euro fine on unvaccinated people age 60 and older. Israel requires vaccination or recovered Covid status for all adult tourists. Nepal requires vaccination for all persons age 18 or older arriving or departing its international airport. Quebec, Canada, has announced a health tax for the unvaccinated. In the UK, all National Health Service workers must be vaccinated. In Manila, the Philippines, a level three lockdown is back in place due to Covid Omicron, and unvaccinated people are not allowed outside their homes, with very few exceptions. In America, the Biden administration mandated Covid vaccination for all federal employees, including the military, health care workers (who participate in Medicare and Medicaid, which is the majority), and all businesses with more than 100 employees. All of the U.S. mandates are being aggressively challenged in the courts. The mandate for businesses (including school districts) was overturned by the Supreme Court on Jan. 13, and the mandate for federal workers was blocked by a federal judge on Jan. 21. Public schools in 14 states are trying to mandate covid vaccination, but some state governments are barring the mandates.
(Friday Church News Notes, January 28, 2022, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)