10 chapters across the catalog
Foo Fighters Postpone Concert Due to COVID-19
The Foo Fighters postponed a concert at the Forum in Los Angeles after a confirmed COVID-19 case within the organization. This follows the band's previous requirement for fans to show proof of vaccination via the Excelsior Pass for a show in New York. The hosts note the irony of a "vaccinated-only" event being cancelled due to a positive case.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed a desire to "get ahead of the science" and return the city to normalcy, specifically regarding mask mandates. Pressure to lift restrictions is mounting as the Brooklyn Nets face the prospect of star player Kyrie Irving being unable to play home games during the playoffs.
A "boots on the ground" report from Manhattan suggests that restaurant vaccine mandates are being inconsistently enforced. Many establishments accept simple photos of vaccine cards, which are easily faked. Additionally, Denmark and the Netherlands have imposed travel bans on unvaccinated Americans and Israelis.
New York City Vaccine Apps, Excelsior Pass Security
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a vaccine requirement for indoor dining and gyms. Security experts, including Albert Fox Cahn, demonstrated flaws in the city's "NYC COVID Safe" app by successfully uploading a photo of Mickey Mouse as a valid vaccine record. Additionally, the state's "Excelsior Pass" was reportedly hacked in 11 minutes, raising concerns about the security and efficacy of digital vaccine passports.
Mayor Bill de Blasio Key to NYC Vaccine Passport
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the "Key to NYC" program, a vaccine mandate for indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues. De Blasio framed the requirement as a "miraculous" opportunity for the vaccinated while explicitly stating that the voluntary phase of vaccination is over. Media coverage of the announcement often uses the word "mandate" to normalize the policy, even when legal specifics are vague.
Digital Vaccine Passports, New York Concerts and Pandemic Post-Mortems
California and New York have implemented digital vaccine passport systems, such as the Excelsior Pass, though enforcement remains inconsistent at public events. Some observers view the entire pandemic response as a "dry run" for future social control systems and a successful ploy to influence the 2020 election. Concerns are raised about the potential for future mandatory microchipping.
NPR discusses the confusion surrounding international travel and the need for vaccination proof. While the Biden administration states it will not issue federal vaccine passports, states like New York have implemented the Excelsior Pass. A Gallup poll suggests 57% of Americans favor requiring proof of vaccination for air travel, despite the lack of a central database.
Vaccine Passports, Forged CDC Cards and Federal Felonies
The FBI is warning against the use of fake vaccine cards, noting that using a government seal without authorization is a federal felony. The hosts point out that templates for these cards are easily found online for free, making the $250 black market price a "scandal."
IBM Excelsior Pass and Vaccine Passport Standards
The Biden administration and New York State are collaborating with private partners like IBM to develop digital vaccine certificates, such as the Excelsior Pass. While Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated there would be no federal mandate, the government is helping set standards for private sector implementation. Media reports have been criticized for falsely claiming such systems are already fully operational across Europe to normalize their adoption in the U.S.
New York State has launched the "Excelsior Pass," a digital platform developed with IBM to verify vaccination status or negative test results for entry into venues. Critics point to IBM's historical involvement in human tracking technologies as a cause for concern regarding the privacy and civil liberties implications of the app.
