"The program is modeled after the vaccine passport programs rolled out in France and other European countries, officials said."

Because that's working out well (also in Australia). I suppose de Blasio doesn't mind swarms of people protesting in front of Gracie Mansion, none of which will be wearing masks, mind you. And then you'll hear the same spiel about how the unvaxxed are to blame again for the Zeta variant as the local pride parade marches by in the background.

"Additionally, the mayor said the city is examining expanding the vaccine proof requirement to other indoor activities, such as shopping."

Of course they are. This is the thin end of the wedge. It always is.

"“If we do not take a strong stand and say ‘you have the right to your body, of course; but you do not have to kill other people.”"

Will they give it a rest? You have no right to force someone to take an experimental vaccine large segments of the population don't even need. And those living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Even IF I grant you that you can become a transmitter of the disease to someone vulnerable (a possibility that is always with us for any disease), it is not intentional whereas what he has in mind (abortion) is.

"“We’ve got to shake people at this point and say, ‘Come on now.’ We tried voluntary. We could not have been more kind and compassionate. Free testing, everywhere you turn, incentives, friendly, warm embrace. The voluntary phase is over,” de Blasio said on MSNBC last week."

What an absurd statement. That's like saying "I've tried consent, but since you didn't agree to my request, I'm going to eschew consent and coerce you." Then it wasn't consensual to begin with!

"“Given everything we’re learning, all options are on the table,” he said Friday. “I keep saying we’re climbing the ladder in terms of more and more mandates.”

"And on Monday, the mayor hinted at the Big Apple moving toward a “reality” in which those who do not get vaccinated are barred from certain settings.

"“More and more, there’s going to be a reality where, if you’re vaccinated, a world of opportunity opens up to you. If you’re not vaccinated, there’s going to be more and more things you can’t do,” de Blasio said during his virtual press briefing, when he announced that the city will only hire vaccinated workers and advised all New Yorkers to wear masks in indoor, public settings.

"“I say that to say, go get vaccinated, so you can fully participate in the life of this city, because that’s where things are going.”

How gracious of him. Again, thin end of the wedge. Why are some people being so credulous?

It's all quite simple:

1. The vaccine is not FDA approved.

2. It is an experimental vaccine.

3. COVID is not dangerous for the vast majority of the population, especially those under the age of 30.

4. There is mixed evidence about the safety and efficacy of he vaccine as well as its relation to new variants.

5. The suppression of expert debate is, at the least, suspicious as all hell.

Taking all factors into consideration, there is NO REASON to force anyone to take it. None. Especially not those in the cohorts that aren't affected. If you're at risk (e.g., the obese), then it is up to you to make the calculation for yourself.

(Also, since this mandate will disproportionately affect black and Latino New Yorkers, wouldn't this make it systemically racist according to the standards of today? Wouldn't you be punishing them for refusing to be vaccinated? Yes, reason has long exited the scene.)