There is no solution to the GOP's vaccine refusal

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
Amanda Marcotte
@AmandaMarcotte
It's increasingly clear that the declining vaccination rates are driven by stubborn Trumpers who would rather die than admit liberals were right about COVID-19. Time to let them, since begging them to be better just makes it worse.

There is no solution to the GOP's vaccine refusal
COVID denialism lost its political usefulness months ago, but the GOP zombies keep on refusing to get the vaccine
salon.com
10:24 AM · Jun 7, 2021

https://www.salon.com/2021/06/07/there-is-no-solution-to-the-gops-vaccine-refusal/

*snip*

On Sunday morning, Mississippi's Gov. Tate Reeves, in full gaslighting mode to Jake Tapper of CNN, insisted that he believes "all Americans should go get vaccinated because I think it's safe," that that "individuals can make their own decision, Jake, as to how to protect themselves and families."

This is, of course, full-blown nonsense. People aren't carefully researching how best to protect themselves and their families. If that was the case, they'd be lining up for shots because — outside of a few rare cases where people are immunocompromised — the single best and safest way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated.

No, what's actually happening in these red states is that people are putting themselves and their families at risk, deliberately. And they're doing it because Trump spent months downplaying the threat of COVID-19 and making it a loyalty test for his people to do the same. It's also clear that a lot of the fears of vaccine safety being offered to researchers as reasons for vaccine hesitancy are, in fact, just a cover story for the mindless tribalism of the right.

Part of the problem is Trump's ability to convince people to give up their own safety and security in order to prove their loyalty to him. Recall how cronies like Michael Cohen and Rudy Giuliani ended up in deep but predictable legal trouble after sticking their neck out for Trump? Hundreds of Capitol rioters are now facing fines or jail time because they stormed the Capitol for an ungrateful Trump. As hard as it is for those of us who see this comically dressed, half-literate sociopathic narcissist for who he is, there can be no doubt of the hold he has over some people.

*snip*

[Wounded Bear]

1. Sad, but true...nt

[FBaggins]

2. I'm not sure that there needs to be a "solution"

A few thoughts:

Whatever the vaccination percentage is now, it's enough that the infection/hospitalization/death numbers are coming way down.

They're mostly a risk just to themselves

It isn't just Trumpers, but the perception there is clear enough that it further hurts their image. Any further spread will almost certainly make them look foolish.

There are parts of the world that desperately need more vaccine. I seriously doubt that Biden will let the stuff rot in storage here if demand doesn't increase again.

At some point, we'll take official notice of the fact that if you've had COVID already, you don't need to get the vaccine. I suspect that a higher percentage of those who refuse to be vaccinated will be people who have had it already.

[localroger]

5. The problem for us is that the more viruses are active and multiplying

...the greater the risk that a vaccine-resistant mutation will emerge. And there is some evidence that having had COVID, like the one-shot J&J vaccine, isn't as effective as the two-jab mRNA vaccines.

[Mad_Machine76]

7. I think the science is still out(?) on how long natural immunity to COVID actually lasts

Plus, we all likely will need boosters at some point.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Charles Darwin has a suggestion

Link to tweet

[forthemiddle]

6. African Americans are very reluctant to get vaccinated

According to this study, only 25% of Blacks have received the vaccine, so hopefully community outreach helps out with that. It’s not just the Trumpsters that are holding us back.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/07/vaccine-equity-black-americans-biden-491973

[samnsara]

4. i have an acquaintance.. we take a class with her and my hubby and I for years i have had a

..farmers market booth next to hers. Shes a ranchers wife..a bit older than I am.. a trumper but never flaunted it much and i do respect her. JUST NOW she texted me and asked if my hubby (a pharmacist) was giving shots today..she was thinking of getting one from him. Its a long drive in and she didnt want to change her mind. Her reason for hesitancy was why get a shot if you can still get it and pass covid. After ALL the news and info out there, thats the (mostly) out-dated info shes basing her life saving decision on. I wasnt going to go there with her so I suggested she discuss it with Terry (hubby/Pharmacist) when she arrives. Hes already had 2 people faint on him when hes jabbed them so hes had to soothe all kinds of fears... Im sure he will make her feel shes in good hands.


YAY one more jabbed for America!

[RegularJam]

8. Covid is over outside of a few major decisions.

The writing is on the wall. All states are or will be assimilating to a flu-like response.

The biggest decision left is with respect to public education.

I also think it’s going to be interesting to see what it looks like if/when these vaccines get approval. It will completely change the game. I think we will see better access in poverty stricken countries and a whole lot better sales job at home. The timing for the sales pitch should work well. We might only be a couple of weeks away from Phizer having control over their vaccine, from start to finish. I’m not sure if many have really thought about how massive of a change it will be.

More people are going to get vaccinated but it’s clearly going to slow up. Who knows how many of us will keep getting it if it becomes annual. We will see what it looks like at the time.

We are going wide open and fast. It’s a major winner for us if everyone would get onboard.

Get vaccinated!