Green Pass in Italy: all the issues of a necessary act
No sooner had the appropriateness of making the vaccine compulsory been aired than that part of Italy that is opposed to change (even when it is necessary) made its voice heard through populist leaders who, during their eternal election campaign, have loudly refused the eventuality of enforcing vaccination.
The prospect of the green pass becoming compulsory in Italy to enter stadiums, restaurants and other public places has raised much debate. The usual wasps’ nest has been stirred up by the idea that the prospective rule contrasts irreconcilably with individual freedom.
Within our Constitution, health is considered a fundamental right, not just of the individual, but also in the interests of the community: the obligation to undergo medical treatment was sanctioned by the High Court in 2018, when aimed at “not only improving or safeguarding the state of health of the person who is subjected to it, but also at safeguarding the state of health of others”.
As of now, vaccination is the only weapon to beat COVID-19. It should be guaranteed for anyone who practices a profession in which they come into contact with many people and even more so when it comes to frail people. Think about doctors, teachers, the forces of law and order. The same consideration could hold true for attendance at events or contexts in which infection may spread rapidly, such as concerts, stadiums, discos, as well as restaurants and means of transport.
The same for schools and places of worship. Science, for its part, must ensure the safety of the vaccines used and their essential function in overcoming the pandemic. It can do this through a widespread information campaign on the (many) benefits and the (limited) risks. In fact, the law can limit the freedom of those who, although eligible, have decided not to be vaccinated of their own free choice, in contrast with the conviction of the scientific community.
And, as our neighbour France has taught us, we owe it to the life of our community to get ourselves vaccinated, to respect and protect both ourselves and others: everyone is required, in their own small way, to safeguard the community.
