Cornell Makes Flu Shot Mandatory For Whites Only

Cornell University recently offered an exemption on its mandatory flu vaccine policy to minority students. A page on the university’s website suggests that “students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person of Color (BIPOC)” can apply to be exempt from the mandatory vaccine rule if it makes them uncomfortable for reasons that most may find perplexing.

According to a report by Campus Reform, minority students at Cornell University may be permitted to excuse themselves from a mandatory flu vaccine policy.

“BIPOC” students that are uncomfortable with the university’s vaccine policy are encouraged to apply for an exemption to the requirement, which otherwise applies to all students and faculty members

“Ithaca students with other concerns / extenuating circumstances may request an exemption from the Fall 2020 flu vaccination requirement that is part of the university’s COVID-19 Behavioral Compact,” the website reads. “Students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person of Color (BIPOC) may have personal concerns about fulfilling the Compact requirements based on historical injustices and current events.”

The Daily Wire has more on Cornell's new-race based exceptions:

A health FAQ explaining the availability of non-medical and non-religious exemptions instructs students to send a secure message through the student health portal “explaining why you believe you should receive an exemption.” The FAQ also links to a Cornell Health page dedicated “especially for students of color,” which states in part:

We recognize that, due to longstanding systemic racism and health inequities in this country, individuals from some marginalized communities may have concerns about needing to agree to such requirements. For example, historically, the bodies the of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) have been mistreated, and used by people in power, sometimes for profit or medical gain. It is understandable that the current Compact requirements may feel suspect or even exploitative to some BIPOC members of the Cornell community.

Additionally, recent acts of violence against Black people by law enforcement may contribute to feelings of distrust or powerlessness. We know this history and validate the potential concerns it may raise. At the same time, we know that long-standing social inequalities and health disparities have resulted in COVID-19 disproportionately affecting BIPOC individuals. Higher percentages of individuals from these communities become infected with COVID, and the health outcomes related to infection are often more serious. Away from campus community, BIPOC individuals are not as likely to have access to preventive services or quality health care. The systems, services, and policies being implemented at Cornell seek to address these inequalities as well as the differential impacts.

Conceding that “the aforementioned inequities and injustices may lead some individuals to have reservations about testing and immunization,” the page nevertheless stressed that “it is also important to acknowledge the critical role these measures play in protecting community health and well-being. In fact, they are likely to be especially helpful for BIPOC communities.”

Cornell's health FAQ states that the bodies of people of color have historically been mistreated by people in power.

Therefore, it is understandable if they are distrustful.

So, white people are just out of luck on this one.

They must blindly accept the vaccine because they're white.