EDITORIAL - The consequences of using fake vax cards

A warning was recently issued by the police regarding the possible proliferation of fake vaccination cards, especially following the proposal that only fully-vaccinated individuals will be allowed into cemeteries on All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.

Considering how easy it is to duplicate a legal document --you only need the right kind of paper, some office equipment and a little know-how-- the possibility of some people taking advantage of these occasions to make such fake documents is real.

It is also very likely some people will take advantage of such fake documents, considering how many are still not vaccinated and how many have not visited their dearly departed since last year.

We don’t have to mention what trouble fake documents can cause. These range from minor inconveniences to complete chaos, especially if some people without certain protections or skills have documents showing that they do.

Someone who has not been vaccinated but who has a card saying he or she has been isn’t unlike someone who can’t drive but somehow has a license to do so. They will be a danger to themselves and to others around them if allowed certain liberties.

It’s not just the police who should be on the lookout for fake documents, we all should be.

Precaution should be doubled during this pandemic, because if some people who have papers saying they are protected against the virus may actually not be protected against it, we can only expect a rise in cases again, considering how All Saints’ and All Souls’ days are occasions where people cannot help but gather in a small space.

We should also extend a word of caution to those unvaccinated who may be thinking of using fake vaccination cards to visit the cemeteries during All Saints’ and All Souls’ days. There is still a pandemic going on. There is always the chance that you will catch the virus and join your dearly departed sooner than you think.