Credit: B.C. Government
ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Getting the vaccination card is easy; the hard part comes later

Sep 8, 2021 | 4:24 AM

KAMLOOPS — THERE WILL BE NO SHORTAGE of people signing up for their B.C. COVID-19 vaccination cards, working their way through the application process.

After a soft launch of online applications Tuesday morning, there was still a lineup by evening. When I signed in I was told I’d be waiting for about 40 minutes, which turned out to be a lot longer because, somehow, I lost my place in the queue. Other than the wait, it was easy. Personal health number, date of birth, date of vaccination one or two. That’s it.

You’ve got to be on your toes, though — when your copy of a card pops up with a QR code there’s no instruction that you’re now supposed to take a screenshot of it. The alternative is to call and arrange to get a paper copy.

Frankly, an app would have been handier because now I’ve got to go fishing for it in my cellphone photos whenever I need it.

The first step in phasing in the vaccine card comes next week, and the early onslaught of people wanting to get their cards is a reminder that those who have been protesting the cards are a tiny though noisy minority. Everybody else sees the cards for the common sense measure they are.

A news conference yesterday cleared up some fuzzy points about the card. For example, it won’t be strictly up to police to enforce it. Bylaws officers, liquor and cannabis inspectors, gaming investigators and conservation officers will also have enforcement authority.

There will be fines of $230 to $575 to individuals and $2,300 for event organizers or business owners who refuse to abide by the card.

Without doubt, there will be confusion, frustration and some resistance as the card kicks in but the bottom line is, it’s on the way so let’s use it. As Dr. Bonnie Henry said, “Let’s get angry at this virus, not at each other.”

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

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