Positive COVID-19 cases are on a slight uptick in L.A.
Protests against vaccine mandates also appear to be growing, as seen in large demonstrations held in Malibu and Downtown recently.
Adhering to the iron-clad rule of thirds, a troubling new hitch may also be landing into this pot: Fake proof of vaccination cards.
A Whittier woman was arrested this past Friday for selling counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination cards that she'd ordered from China. According to CBS L.A., the order was intercepted by Department of Homeland Security Investigations officials en route to 31-year-old Charlene Bohorquez. An ensuing search of her residence by a Sheriff's Department task force turned up "dozens" of additional fraudulent cards, among other evidence, with Bohorquez admitting she'd already been dealing the bogus documents to people reluctant to get the shot. Released from custody, she faces a later court date to face criminal charges for possessing the deceptive documents.
Journalists' investigations have pinpointed the budding black market for bullshit vax cards in which Bohorquez became entangled. Voice of America recently detailed the reported "thousands of social media sites" offering these cards for about $200, some of which promise to enter users into official electronic databases of the vaccinated.
Much like the virus itself, the pitched public battle against vaccine requirements does not look to be going away as we enter a potentially infectious new winter.
Despite the origins of this vaccine-and-vaccine mandate resistance in longstanding anti-vax advocates and autocratic right-wing political conspiracies, we see the various arguments roping in Angelenos we've even admired in the past, including rappers both nationally treasured and locally loved, as well as some of our beloved taquerias. And even one dude we actually almost considered bestowing the sacred job of Jeopardy host unto (shudder).
In other words, that goddamn pill to treat COVID really can't come fast enough.
