Introduction
COVID-19 vaccines are essential to prevent a pandemic, combined with adequate testing and precautions that already exist. The immunization prepares people’s bodies to tussle against a specific infection, virus, or disease. Unlike most drugs that treat the disease, vaccines destroy it. In modern society, there are different views on the importance of injection. At the same time, in such a strategic area for the state as education, the question of returning to the full-time format of education arises. To achieve this goal, quarantine requirements must be met. It is essential that the quarantine specifications can be achieved only with the introduction of injection and wearing masks. For society to return to a traditional style of life, it is fundamental to introduce compulsory vaccination.
Education during Coronavirus
The pandemic has led to fundamental reforms in education. It has produced educational problems in the United States. At the beginning of the quarantine in the spring of 2020, all instructional institutions switched to distance learning. Thus, it was a justified decision because the world has only faced the challenges of a coronavirus. Accordingly, the government resolved to introduce quarantine in schools and organize distance education. Even though the first introduction of a whole quarantine regime was acquitted entirely, it is time to summarize the new form of teaching. It can be said that senior pupils who were capable of using technology on their own and did not need the aid of adults could adapt to the online format (“The education lost to the pandemic”). Although their learning performance dropped sharply due to their age and experience, they were prepared to study in this format. Comparatively, kids under the age of 12 depended on their parents, so their ancestors had to assist them with technology and homework.
The problem was that young kids desperately necessitated contact with a teacher to learn how to set up the education process. As a result of the quarantine, school attendance decreased, as did student knowledge quality. Parents who observed the situation in public institutions tried to transfer their children to private organizations that were more flexible with restrictions. The worst thing is that in poor regions, learners have lost the sense of attending school remotely because they have not received new experiences (“The education lost to the pandemic”). Therefore, presently there is a question of starting training in the usual format with quarantine measures.
It is essential to note that a new strain of the Delta virus is instantly spreading, which is more dangerous than previous coronavirus mutations. Therefore, to ensure that pupils and students attend classes in educational institutions, specific strategies should be applied. To begin with, the possibility of vaccination for adults who have no contraindications to injection should be considered. However, children under 12 do not have access to the vaccine. Although according to epidemiologists, one of the best ways to stop the spread of the virus is to provide a complete course of immunization to students over 12 and educators (“The education lost to the pandemic”). Thus, educational institutions will be capable of returning to full-fledged training if senior learners and teachers are vaccinated.
It should be noted that tutors understand the problem of distance learning, and the percentage of vaccinated among them is high. Although, there are disputes about the legality and necessity of such actions. Particularly, some data show how dangerous a tutor can be without immunizations. For example, at an elementary school in Marin County, California, an unvaccinated teacher infected about half of her students in masks (“Back to school amid the Delta variant”). That is, in practice, it becomes clear the value of compulsory vaccination in education.
It is worth remarking that the next way to prevent coronavirus is to wear masks. This is a powerful way if all students and teachers observe the rules of distance and hygiene. To reduce the percentage of infection, masks should also be worn by already vaccinated persons. At the legislative level, there is no obligation to use masks in institutions, and in schools, parents have the freedom to select whether their kids will wear masks. Returning to the question of what to do to return to the standard version of the training, it should be noted that masks are one of the main conditions (“Back to school amid the Delta variant”). Therefore, together with the rules of the distance between pupils and the use of antiseptics, it will provide a safe space. At the same time, vaccination is the only way to prevent the spread of the disease and eventually revert to traditional learning and life.
Vaccination as a Necessity in Modern Society
Mass vaccination against COVID-19 is considered necessary for returning the world to a normal state of affairs, but many countries face resistance from citizens. The United States, where the government is intensely looking for ways to increase the number of immunized people, is no exception (“The education lost to the pandemic”). Despite the severe loss of life during the pandemic, not everyone in the country where the drug is available believes that they need to be vaccinated. Resistance to injection is the fact that medicine has faced ever since it began to be used. It was invented in the late eighteenth century and was often required. For example, George Washington ordered all Continental Army troops vaccinated in 1777 because smallpox was killing them (“The vaccine mandate conundrum”). Moreover, most people once could not go to school without mandatory injections. Although widespread, refusals are massive and such rejection by the public is considered one of the top 10 threats to health on the planet. Virtually all convinced covid-skeptics share conspiracy theories from chipping to the conspiracy of the world rulers who set up the pandemic.
Many countries have begun to address the problem of immunization by expanding access to it: this is essential to reach everyone who desires it, but it will not increase the number of interested. The first thing to do is focus on information, raising awareness about the vaccine through social media, advertising, and celebrity appeals (“The vaccine mandate conundrum”). Then, persuasion should touch emotions to improve people’s perception, supported by inner circle authorities (doctors, local community leaders).
Nowadays, COVID-19 injection is voluntary in most countries around the world. Still, to influence the category of the unvaccinated, it is essential to introduce several rules that make life without prevention measures uncomfortable. For example, forbidding such categories from appearing in public places and working after these restrictions are lifted for vaccinated. As practice shows, people do not accept restrictions; however, at the same time, they are the primary motivator for injection. Several countries have introduced or plan to introduce vaccination requirements for specific segments of the population. For example, many federal governments mandate immunizations for healthcare workers, pharmacists and nursing home workers, and volunteers who help them (“The education lost to the pandemic”). These categories are especially at risk because the federal government cares a great deal about them. The mandatory injection may be justified ethically if the threat to public health is substantial, confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine is high, and the expected utility exceeds the alternative solutions.
People’s willingness to be vaccinated is closely linked to the level of trust in the authorities. The most painful effect of harsh measures is the reduction of this support: forced injections signal that the authorities do not trust society, provoking a similar reaction. First, the imposition of a requirement for mandatory vaccination induces so-called ‘psychic reactivity,’ that is, resistance associated with the individual’s desire to preserve personal freedom of choice (“Back to school amid the Delta variant”). Second, such a decision leads to a moral disconnect between the individual and those who force him to take specific actions. If voluntary vaccination stimulates members of society to unite – many are inclined to show themselves to be responsible citizens in such a situation – then coercion leads to the opposite effect. The third reason is a decrease in intrinsic motivation: pressure undermines trust in both the authorities and other community members (if the authorities force vaccination, then other members of society refuse to inject), which increases resistance in general. This effect also works for law-abiding citizens who had planned to be treated voluntarily.
Therefore, it is challenging to introduce a mandate for vaccination at the federal level for fear of losing political support. Currently, federal, state, and private governments have taken different approaches, ranging from mandating to prohibiting them. The only person who could impose a broad mandate is the one who does not want to do it (“The vaccine mandate conundrum”). Against the backdrop of another pandemic wave and Delta State, the importance of mass injections, which have proven effective in the past, is more pressing than ever. Now it has ceased to be simply a personal choice and has become a public good, helping to overcome the medical and the economic crisis. At the same time, the state’s role, which should encourage people to make public interest choices, is becoming more critical. Therefore, the mandate for vaccination at the federal level will become a real necessity.
Conclusion
During the pandemic, society suffered significant losses, not only economic but also educational ones. Therefore, the return to everyday life is a necessity. However, it is crucial to adhere to all quarantine requirements, including the compulsory wearing of masks. Moreover, the vaccination should not be neglected. The history of mandatory vaccination goes back more than two centuries. However, in parallel with the legal framework, the discontent of ordinary citizens is growing. Many still categorically refuse to be injected, arguing that it violates their constitutional rights. However, the authorities’ demand for compulsory vaccination has long been recognized as legitimate and fair since a person’s refusal puts himself and those around him at risk. Thus, mass vaccination is beneficial to society; the only thing is that politicians are still reluctant to introduce the mandate for fear of losing support among the population.
Works Cited
“Back to School amid the Delta Variant.” Apple Podcast, uploaded by The Daily, 2021.
“The Education Lost to the Pandemic.” Apple Podcast, uploaded by The Daily, 2021.
“The Vaccine Mandate Conundrum.” Apple Podcast, uploaded by The Daily, 2021.