Or, they could en-masse so 'No" and ignore the federal government and the enforcing agencies. Sure, it make life hard for them. In the face of such widespread civil disobedience, efforts to enforce this tyranny would collapse. I know it's a pipe dream. That sort of courage is almost nonexistent in America today. Instead people will bitch about it, then go along so that they don't have to face any hardship. Some brave souls will stand up; too few though.
Stand up and fight or go along with the mandate are two options—but life is way more complicated than that.
Other options already discussed here:
—Personal service contracts replacing employment if both parties are ok with it
—Retirement for those who can make the numbers work
—Leave of absence if agreeable for both parties to see if the fever about the fever blows over
—Fake documentation (not for everyone and not recommended, but some will go there)
—Attorneys and/or unions carving out loopholes, exceptions, exclusions for any of a thousand reasons
Smart folks around here will come up with other options as well.
The Pfascists will not be able to herd the cats....but a lot of the real action will never make the headlines.
Yes, the too few concerns me as well, I am one, somehow wondering how to physically find others locally so too few can become many