Jeff Bergner does a fantastic job listing the ways experts misled people over the last few years. It’s quite a damning list.
That’s not the whole story, of course. Americans’ distrust of experts has a long and complicated history. But the fact that the experts have been doing such a terrible job recently certainly fuels the fire.
Obamacare death panels.
Was half watching Hannity last night with mom in the nursing home. Got her to at least mute it, but could see Hannity going off on the vaccine (which is funny because I’ll give you 100 to 1 odds he has had it). “Unproven”, “untested”, “unapproved”… blah, blah, blah… Then, all the commercials were for some miracle supplement or vitamin with absolutely no proof. Cognitive dissonance at its finest.
Speaking of Hannity’s rant against the vaccine, I saw that Trump recently sang praises of his administration because he got on the fast track to the vaccine. So what is the rightwing stance? Is the Vaccine a hoax (as not only Hannity, but others on Fox are telling their viewers) or is it one of Trump’s praiseworthy achievements?
I don’t like Hannity, but I think his position is a little more nuanced than you’re giving him credit for. I think he’s not against the vaccine, but he’s against making it mandatory. For example, requiring kids, or the military, to get it.
And the vaccine is still “unapproved” in a certain sense. It’s on some sort of temporary waiver thing, right?
I have been vaccinated, but I would be against forcing children or the military to get it until (1) it’s given a solid green light, and (2) someone can demonstrate it’s actually necessary.
Seems to me the trajectories are going in the right direction with voluntary vaccinations. If somebody wants to make it mandatory, they should have to make that case.
By most accounts, vaccination levels are beginning to plateau. There is a huge contingent out there the don’t want it based on what they hear on Fox, RWNJ radio, Parler, and whatever other sources there are.
If the orange piece of crap narcissist was an actual leader, he would make a public service announcement saying 1) he’s had the vaccine, 2) he thinks the vaccine is safe, 3) there are no nefarious motives for people being vaccinated…only for the public health.
I can’t imagine the Biden administration hasn’t asked him to make such an announcement. If it hasn’t, shame on them. Irrespective of the ask, if orange bozo was a real leader, he would step up any way. But, we know he’s not a real leader. He’s only in it for his own reasons.
If it’s Fox News that’s causing people not to get vaccines, why are blacks not getting vaccinated?
What are you saying? Blacks don’t watch Fox? Blacks can’t be conservatives? Blacks can’t be Repugs?
I thought you were opposed to those stereotypes and identity politics…
If it’s the case, what does the data say? Does the data cover who is administering the vaccine? Where? When? Whether people can get off work to get vaxxed? Convenience for getting the vaccine by one group over another? How does it vary by state or county or city?
In my social groups, the folks not getting the vaccine are white Repugs–and these are college educated people with engineering degrees. “I don’t want to change my DNA.” Ok, but you’ll take ivermectin for horses ? (That’s a true story straight from the horse’s mouth…I mean the engineer’s mouth). My two best friends from college haven’t taken it–both white, both Republican, both engineers (electrical and civil). One is a hardcore Catholic trad Q worshiper. The other hates and distrusts the government…and get this…who does he work for? Guess… not only does he work for the government, but he works for … wait for it… wait for it… he works for the IRS. Cracks me up.
Your comment seemed to imply that the leveling off of the vaccinations was due to conservative media. I’m sure conservative media has something to do with it, but it certainly doesn’t explain all of it.
I’m actually surprised at this set of stats on who watches Fox (by race). It’s not as different as I thought.
Obama not born a citizen.
The right — or elements of it — have certainly been guilty of making stupid claims. The difference is the appeal to authority, and the insistence that everyone must get on board with a particular position because “the experts” have spoken.
QUOTE: The difference is the appeal to authority, and the insistence that everyone must get on board with a particular position because “the experts” have spoken.
Well, it seems that the “religious right” has often deferred to authority in these matters…God. Some believe that if you don’t agree with the conservative talking points, you’re not a Christian. There’s also the threat of being labeled a RINO. That has made some act against their better judgement because they didn’t want to be castigated. Ask Liz Chaney and Adam Kinzinger…they may have some input on this.
Vaccines don’t work.
CDC reporting that 99+% of the new COVID deaths currently are suffered by unvaccinated folks. If the vaccine didn’t work, you’d expect to see the numbers around 50% or whatever the percentage of unvaccinated is. The folks on Fox News should at least admit that the 5G antennas and tracking hardware injected in “the vaccine” at least do something to slow the spread of Covert even though we don’t know the mechanism by which the 5G antennas and tracking hardware offer protection.
1. Hillary Clinton would be arrested.
2. Biden wouldn’t be inaugurated and the 2020 election over turned (due to compelling evidence from the Kraken).
3. Covid-19 would simply “go-away” and be over by the Spring/Summer of 2020.
4. Obama would change both the American flag and the national anthem.
5. Trump’s presidency would likely cause the stock market to crash and plunge the world into recession.
6. The #Walkaway movement would significantly diminish the Democratic party.
7. Trump would dump Pence and run with Nikki Haley in 2020.
8. There would low turn-out for the 2020 election.
9. There wouldn’t be a second-wave of Covid-19.
10. There would be a contested Democratic convention in 2020.
11. Trump’s impeachment would be so unpopular that the Dems would lose the House in 2020.
12. Biden wouldn’t have the mental acuity to debate Trump nor win the election.