According to the governor's executive order (Administrative Bulletin Number: OE-2021-062 - see entry of 5 Aug 2021 https://basecero.ogp.pr.gov/apex/f?p=161:15::::::), "all public agencies

of the Executive Branch shall require contractors and their employees

who work in-person or frequently visit their offices except as

otherwise provided in Section 5 of this Executive Order— to receive a

COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the FDA during this emergency)."

Employees of healthcare facilities are also required to be vaccinated. For those in the restaurant/food services industry, owners are required to request patrons to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination, otherwise the establishment can only operate at 50% capacity. The hospitality industry is similarly impacted with similar restrictions.

note: Section 5 allows for exception to the vaccination mandate with respect to those whose immune

system are compromised, as well as for religious reasons.

In Puerto Rico, some establishments (e.g., bars, pastry shops - we call these, panaderias) require patrons to have the Vacu-ID as proof that one has received the vaccination. At one bar my cousins and I went to last month, the bouncer asked for our Vacu-ID's. As I don't have one, I had to show proof of my negative PCR test taken within 72-hours. Since I had recently been tested, I had the results on my phone. He asked me to specifically show where it read "negative," so I had to zoom the image so he could see "not detected." After providing my valid driver license, he let us in.

For me it's not a matter of defying the rules. I follow the requirement insofar as masking up, and monitoring potential symptoms. I respect there are places where I will be denied entry for lack of the Vacu-ID. But, I absolutely take issue with the government offering cash incentives for folks to get pricked with how ever many needles they (the govt) deems necessary. I also feel strongly that the media outlets should neither encourage nor discourage people on the topic of vaccination. Their job is to report accurate data - not give us a moral lecture.

Thank you for taking time to read my piece, and to engage here, Sumit.