Starting Friday, New Yorkers will be able to pull up a code on their cell phone or a printout to prove they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently tested negative for the virus that causes it.
It was only a matter of time until we say digital health passports officially make their debut here in the US. For months, I’ve been following the latest developments of this technology but the focus has mainly been on travel (specifically flying) and in other countries such as Israel’s Green Pass.
But now, the first of it’s kind “Excelsior Pass” will begin to be used in New York. This will both serve as a means to ease people back into society safely and as a way to test and improve on this technology.
What’s most important here in my opinion however is that New York will now be seen as an example for other states around the US. We should not be surprised that as the year marches on, other states employ the same technology.
We’re also now seeing a move with colleges across the nation weighing mandatory vaccines for incoming students with Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey being the latest example of a university to require it if they’re enrolled for the fall 2021 semester.
I’ve made it clear numerous times that I believe what we’re seeing being brought to fruition today may be laying the groundwork for the mark of the beast system we read about in Revelation 13:16-17 that ultimately arises during the tribulation period. It’s – in my view – serving as a means to precondition people to what will eventually come during the tribulation.
Although I do not believe this vaccine or this digital health passport technology is the mark of the beast, as it comes out during the tribulation, I’ve made it clear that it may very well be a shadow of that system. For the believer in Christ, these are exciting times as we see our redemption draws near!
New York launches nation’s first ‘vaccine passports.’ Others are working on similar ideas, but many details must be worked out.
USA Today: The first-in-the-nation certification, called the Excelsior Pass, will be useful first at large-scale venues like Madison Square Garden, but next week will be accepted at dozens of event, arts and entertainment venues statewide. It already enables people to increase the size of a wedding party, or other catered event.
The app, championed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to support the recovery of industries most affected by the pandemic, is funded by the state and available for free to businesses and anyone with vaccination records or test results in New York.
Like an airline boarding pass, people will be able to prove their health status with a digital QR code – or “quick response” machine-readable label. They’ll need to download the Excelsior Pass app, enter their name, date of birth, zip code and answer a series of personal questions to confirm their identity.
The data will come from the state’s vaccine registry and also will be linked to testing data from a number of pre-approved testing companies.
The New York system, built on IBM’s digital health pass platform, is provided via blockchain technology, so neither IBM nor any business will have access to private medical information. An entertainment venue will simply scan the QR code and get a green check or a red X.
The new pass is part of a growing but disjointed effort to provide vaccine “passports” or certifications, so people won’t have to hang onto a dog-eared piece of paper, worry about privacy issues or forgeries, or fork over extra cash to prove they’re not contagious. Read More
New York Will Officially Begin Requiring ‘Vaccine Passports’ On April 2
From The Daily Wire: New Yorkers will be required to show “vaccine passports” – proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccine – in order to re-enter society.
The New York Post reported that the “Excelsior Pass” would officially launch on April 2, following an announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) on Friday.
“Similar to a mobile airline boarding pass, individuals will be able to either print out their pass or store it on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app,” said a press release about the program. “Each Pass will have a secure QR code, which participating businesses and venues can scan using a companion app to verify proof of COVID-19 negative test results or proof of vaccination. An individual’s data is kept secure and confidential at all times.”
More from the Post:
The app won’t show any health information when scanned — it’ll only show a green checkmark if the person has been vaccinated or tested negatively or a red “x” if they haven’t.
Major venues, such as Madison Square Garden and the Times Union Center in Albany, will begin using the app next week and on April 2, Excelsior Pass will expand to “smaller arts, entertainment and event venues,” Cuomo’s office said.
The app, which launched Friday, already works to prove vaccination status or negative test results and can be used to gain access to wedding receptions, which now require negative tests from attendees, and other events above the social gathering limit. Read More
Sources
- New York Will Officially Begin Requiring ‘Vaccine Passports’ On April 2 (March 27th, 2021) – The Daily Wire
- New York launches nation’s first ‘vaccine passports.’ Others are working on similar ideas, but many details must be worked out (March 26th, 2021) – USA Today