SF restaurants now want to see your CDC card; will accept image

Many restaurants in Seattle and Portland are requiring proof of vaccination as well (CDC card). Also, both states require everyone to wear a mask indoors. Something to consider for those traveling from states with no mask or vaccine requirements. COVID is taken very seriously here and you should expect to abide by our state’s requirements if visiting.

It is due to a San Francisco regulation that went into effect on August 20. Restaurants, bars, gyms and other indoor locations.

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/08/22/covid-most-tourists-prepared-for-san-franciscos-proof-of-vaccination-requirement/

What happens if you're not vaccinated due to exemption reasons?

The restaurants are doing what they need to do, except they’ll accept an image, rather than an actual CDC card?!? Are they checking photo I.D. to verify the person trying to enter the restaurant is the person named on the picture of the card? Cards are issued 1 per person, but a snapped image can be replicated, or many people can take a picture of that one card.

Unfortunately, card fraud is underway, and there are reports in the news of people paying $1,500 for a fake CDC card. That’s nuts - the vaccine’s free!!!

What happens if you're not vaccinated due to exemption reasons?

I’d say, then, that you’re exempt from going inside the restaurant.

More info trending on proof of vaccination:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2021/08/02/no-vax-no-service-bars-restaurants-proof-of-vaccination/amp/

I’d say, then, that you’re exempt from going inside the restaurant.

Then that would be discriminatory and most likely illegal. Certainly in the UK that would be in breach of the Equality Act.

Those who are unvaccinated or do not have proof of vaccination are allowed to dine outside or are allowed inside to order or pickup takeout (takeaway). There are also the ubiquitous delivery services such as Doordash and Uber eats.

Here’s a link to the mayor’s press release.

https://sfmayor.org/article/san-francisco-require-proof-vaccination-entry-certain-indoor-businesses-and-all-large-indoor

This is exactly the kind of discussion I was hoping to spur along with this post -
freedom isn't free, as the saying goes.
When the consequences of our choices have 'externalities' as the economists put it,
then the commonwealth's authorities have a duty to address and try to mitigate them.

Another hope I have is that this experience with the pandemic will influence our policies and attitudes towards tobacco smoke going forward. And then we should be tackling exhaust fumes -- which if we'd addressed some decades ago, we wouldn't be putting our grandkids into such a pickle now.

Those who are unvaccinated or do not have proof of vaccination are allowed to dine outside or are allowed inside to order or pickup takeout (takeaway).

Thank you for confirming this Robert. It's still discriminatory though. My wife is unable to have the vaccine due to medical issues, it's not through choice. Preventing her and others who also are unable to have the vaccine (pregnant women etc) from eating inside or attending music venues etc is no different than banning someone who is wheelchair bound or even someone who is suffering from any type of communicable illness. We now know that vaccinated people can carry the same viral load of the Delta variant as non vaccinated people so is there actually any benefit from barring those who are unvaccinated? The only real risk in allowing unvaccinated people into premises is to themselves and that is a choice that surely only they should be able to make.

Businesses need to start following the science rather than misjudged populist decisions. As things stand, San Francisco would be off our travel list if my wife would be discriminated against.

others who also are unable to have the vaccine (pregnant women etc)

pregnant women in the UK are now encouraged to receive the vaccine.

Pregnant women have always been able to get vaccinated in the US.

no different than banning someone who is wheelchair bound or even someone who is suffering from any type of communicable illness.

People in a wheelchair do have the right to service in a public place. People with a communicable illness do NOT have such a right. Think about it, please.

“People with a communicable illness do NOT have such a right.”

Being vaccinated is no guarantee you are not carrying Covid / the Delta variant.

JC makes a good point. I think they should issue Exempt cards to people who legitimately cannot get the vaccine so they are not discriminated against. They would still need to wear a mask though, as even vaccinated people are required to here if indoors.

People in a wheelchair do have the right to service in a public place.

You evidently didn't understand my post. I know people in wheelchairs have a right to service in a public place, the comparison I was making was to deny entry to someone who cannot take the vaccine would be akin to denying access to someone in a wheelchair, something which is discriminatory. If it's illegal to discriminate against disabled people why is it ok to discriminate against those who are unable to have the vaccine?

From an experience 3 days ago in San Francisco, I can tell you that the restaurant at which we ate did require a picture id along with the vaccination card.

The laws in the US are very specific about what categories of people are protected from discrimination. I don't believe "unable to be vaccinated" is considered "disabled" under the law. And I believe this has already been tested in court. Even if it did, it would allow reasonable accommodation, not complete access. We are seeing theaters* and concert venues requiring vaccination proof (except for states that have specifically prohibited it).** Even some colleges are not admitting students without proof of vaccination. Who knows what all these places are doing when someone with a documented case of being unable to be vaccinated shows up.

*it was recently announced that local performance of The Nutcracker will require vaccination proof, and therefore, no children under 12 (unable to be vaccinated) allowed.

** and of course we have seen a few places (bars & restaurants) posting policies of not allowing vaccinated customers to enter.