I believe Vivian Ward summed up Minneapolis and St Paul's vaccine mandate perfectly.
Minneapolis and St. Paul will require customers to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues, among the most aggressive steps the Twin Cities have taken to date to curb the spread of COVID-19, mayors from both cities announced Wednesday.
The action comes as officials are trying to temper a spike in infections and hospitalizations fueled by the fast-spreading omicron variant, which is already causing staffing shortages across industries.
"This is a critical next step to avoid closures," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a virtual news conference. "We want to stay open, and we need to stay safer."
The new restrictions — which will apply to businesses where food or beverages are sold for on-site consumption — will go into effect for most businesses on Jan. 19. Patrons can provide either proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken under medical supervision within the last 72 hours. Booster shots are not required.
The requirement would apply to stadiums, movie theaters, bowling alleys, convention centers and other venues that serve food or drink. St. Paul's mandate will apply only to businesses that are licensed by the city.
"Our expectation is the vast majority of businesses will comply, will participate and will see this as an opportunity to keep their business open, to keep their employees working and to keep our whole community moving forward together," St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said at the news conference.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have rarely set foot in Minneapolis given the alarming spike in violent crime of late. But St. Paul is a little tricky given my mother resides in the Highland Park neighborhood. However, if we're going to break bread within the city limits, we'll make it a point to patronize a suburban establishment for takeout and then bring the grub to mom's place.
As is usually the case, my friend and NARN colleague Mitch Berg brilliantly points out the unintended consequences of such draconian policies.
But this is not only moronic - it disproportionally impacts minorities. Black males are the least-vaccinated population in the state; you're basically adding a "color bar" to Twin Cities public spaces. And the businesses affected - by barring their customers, and employees, as well as by people taking their business elsewhere - are disproportionally POC and immigrants as well.
This moronic rule is going to turn yet more small, especially minority-owned, businesses into empty storefronts.
How very "progressive" of our state's two largest cities.
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