The Futility of Vaccine Passports

While much of the world remains in the throes of the pandemic, Ayelet Baram-Tsabari’s life has mostly returned to normal. In the weeks since Israel implemented its “green pass” system, reopening much of the country’s economy to its vaccinated population, she has returned to work, been to the movies, and even planned a staycation with her family.

“It’s wonderful,” she told me from her home in Tel Aviv. “It’s like you can breathe again.”

Only a year ago, Israel was entering the first of what would be three national lockdowns. Since mid-December, it has rolled out a mass-vaccination campaign that has made it the envy of the world. And for more than a month, many Israelis have been able to passes and the potential ), many countries nonetheless view it as a fast track back to normal.