As we’ve all been trying to tame the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine mandates have been a hot topic of discussion. Recently, President Joe Biden introduced a mandate for all federal employees and businesses over 100 employees, requiring that all people get vaccinated to try and minimize the spread of Covid-19. This decision left some people wondering if the mandate is constitutional, especially with all the available misinformation. Here’s what you should know about the vaccine mandate.
What is the Vaccine Mandate?
You probably haven’t heard of the federal Covid-19 vaccine mandate if you don’t know what a mandate is. But, to sum it up, the federal mandate requires that anyone working for the federal government or working for a business with over 100 employees get vaccinated against Covid-19. State mandates may also require vaccination to attend concerts, sporting events, or for other reasons. You should remember that vaccine mandates aren’t compulsions—no one is holding you down to forcibly vaccine you. It’s just a safety requirement to get people back to the way things used to be, like the requirement to wear masks such as the astm f2100.
What is the Previous Case Law?
There is case law that could impact the federal vaccine mandate. The case law has to do with a 1905 case where a man refused to pay the fine for a smallpox vaccine mandate. Overall, the Supreme Court’s decision implied that personal liberty does not overrule public safety.
Are There Any Exemptions?
There are a few exceptions for medical or religious reasons when it comes to the federal vaccine mandate. However, businesses are within their rights to require regular Covid-19 testing for anyone who’s taken the exemption. Along with that, those who have taken the exemption for religious reasons must show proof that they have held religious beliefs against the vaccination.
As of now, the exemption case hasn’t made it to the Supreme Court, so there is no case law about whether religious exemptions are a legitimate exercise of the First Amendment.
Have There Been Legal Challenges?
While there are tons of legal challenges starting up around the country about vaccine mandates and laws that prohibit vaccine mandates, none of those challenges have made it to the Supreme Court. This means that there are no Supreme Court rulings regarding mandates. However, there will likely be many more legal rulings as things progress, and the Supreme Court is likely to hear one.
How Can You Stay Up to Date?
If you want to know more about vaccine mandates, it’s best to stay updated with current information. PeopleFinders blog has a News section that has updates about Covid-19 in the United States. Staying up to date with current events and getting vaccinated are both good ways to stay safe and informed.
Final Thoughts
The Covid-19 vaccine mandate is in place because no Supreme Court rulings are stating that it’s unconstitutional. It’s safe to assume that it will eventually be upheld until the Supreme Court chooses to hear a case about it. Keep yourself updated and informed on where the vaccine mandate laws will end up pointing.
