NO COVID VACCINE? NO WEDDING.
I spent a good part of my week tuning into Clubhouse to get views on this new concept that:
IN ORDER TO ATTEND AN EVENT AS A GUEST OR A SERVICE PROVIDER, YOU MUST EITHER BE VACCINATED FOR COVID OR TEST NEGATIVE ON SITE BEFORE ENTERING
We’ve had viruses, bacterias, and diseases for as long as the earth has been spinning … there are also still viruses and diseases out there in the world that there aren’t vaccines for … this idea that now people need to test onsite or prove they’ve been vaccinated is a very new idea … and I’m not afraid to say:
THIS IS A TERRIFYING AND SLIPPERY SLOPE.
Not everyone can get vaccines … there are people out there who have terrible reactions to vaccines (me being one of them!) … there are also a lot of people who just don't feel comfortable taking this experimental Covid vaccination that won’t be completely finished with testing until 2023 … I know these things because of the hours I’ve spent this week listening in on this exact topic of conversation and hearing real people talk about their worries, fears, and experiences with vaccinations. I also know, after listening to the public Clubhouse meetings that there are large groups of people who are pushing very hard for what was listed above … that to get into or work a wedding or event you must:
BE VACCINATED AND PROVE IT … OR TEST NEGATIVE ONSITE BEFORE ENTERING.
So, here are my questions:
If your photographer shows up on the day of and tests positive, are these brides and grooms just going to not have photos from their wedding?
If your very best friend tests positive right before your wedding, is she truly going to be turned away?
Your aunt? Your mom? Your dad?
I’m not kidding here … I don’t think people have thought this far ahead … and the reason I don’t think people have thought this far ahead is because I’ve designed a few wedding websites for clients and when posed with that question of: what happens when your wedding planner tests positive but feels fantastic with zero symptoms, does she have to leave?? I get this answer: uhhhhmmmm, well, huh … as in: I didn’t think about that …
We, as people are walking around with all sorts of germs every single day … I’m not here to say Covid isn’t terrible, because it is 100% awful for some people to endure and get, but lots of things are terrible! The flu is truly terrible and not everyone gets vaccinated for it just because a vaccine exists. The flu is especially awful for babies and elderly, and we aren’t testing people onsite or forcing them to prove a flu vaccine to come to our wedding … and you are contagious with a flu bug before showing symptoms for ONE FULL DAY … also, if you are vaccinated, doesn’t that mean you are good to go?
I am not making Covid out to be unimportant … it is serious and important … but what I think might be more terrifying then a virus we now have a vaccine for, is this thinking that a person’s medical history or current ‘health’ situation needs to be ‘proven’ to work or attend a social event. What’s next, wearing some sort of patch on our shirt that says if we have been vaccinated or not? I’m not kidding … and I’ll say it again: THIS IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE.
I also feel it’s very important to consider the following:
Did you know the CDC recently stated that those without covid-like symptoms should not get tested?
These PCR rapid testing options have been shown to not be accurate all the time. (false positives / false negatives)
Many people who had Covid previously can still come up positive on a test, even though they are no longer contagious or sick.
Did you know many people can not get these vaccines due to medical reasons?
Do I think this is a risky blog post to share? Yes! But the people who feel as I do need a voice … it’s completely wrong and actually illegal to force people to tell you if they’ve been vaccinated or to take a medical test at an event in order to earn a living and work. That is highly PRIVATE information. And since it’s illegal to force someone to divulge that information, what this will end up being about is:
HIRING BASED ON IF SOMEONE VERBALLY AND/OR IN A WRITTEN CONTRACT COMMITS TO VACCINATING OR TESTING ONSITE.
Basically, people will start needing to write this into their contracts with clients who DEMAND a vaccinated wedding photographer or the agreement that testing onsite will happen … and then what if the results are positive on the day of the wedding? Are these contracts also going to state that a full refund be paid if the vendor tests positive? If you are one of the ones who is vaccinating or happy to test onsite and roll the dice, then this probably isn’t super upsetting to you … but if you want your medical privacy and feel it’s your right to keep things private when it pertains to being tested for viruses and vaccinating, then the thought of all this coming to light is probably truly terrifying. And this includes people who have taken the vaccine that don’t think it’s ok to be forced to share their medical information! It’s a PRIVATE MATTER. Period.
ALSO, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE FOR VACCINATIONS BUT DON’T FEEL COMFY TAKING AN EXPERIMENTAL VACCINE AND WANT TO WAIT UNTIL ALL THE TESTING IS COMPLETE …
Both sides need a voice …. and both sides need to be willing to hear the other points of view when it comes to something as serious as being vaccinated or only being allowed to work your small business if you test negative for Covid. When I was listening on Clubhouse, it seemed very obvious that some people feel the only way to be right about this is to ‘vaccinate’ and the side who was pushing vaccinated wedding professionals weren’t all that willing to hear out the side who wanted to keep that information private … let’s not become bullies when this is a VERY PERSONAL choice … and let’s not also say: then find another profession, because we are for ‘SAFE WEDDINGS AND EVENTS’ < because that isn’t kind or caring towards people who want to be a little more thoughtful about their body and their choices.
XO~ Heather
