Vaccine Wars- and those of us on the sidelines, by Roderick Thomas

Covid Politics

The politics surrounding Covid-19 are bewildering to say the least. 2020 revealed so many things about our society, and some of the insights are increasingly worrisome –– dystopian as hell. From masks to vaccines, just how far are we willing to take our politics?

Covid-19 is a virus that doesn’t care what your political beliefs are, it is indiscriminate. Yet from the start, many people had opposing viewpoints on masks and public safety, often along political party lines. If you were a Republican or in a red state you were encouraged to get back to work, take up for ‘civil liberties’ and decide if wearing masks was for you. Viral videos of anti-maskers defiantly resisting mask mandates and store policies can easily be found online.

Meanwhile, some Democrats and left-leaning folks, who are believed to be more inclined to comply with CDC guidelines, seem to have developed an attitude of arrogance and condescension around Covid do’s and don’ts.

In-Group, Out-Group

The psychology behind some of this behavior can be framed with the concept of in-groups and out-groups. An in-group is a group of people who cluster with each other based on a variety of factors including gender, race, religion, etc. Out-group members are seen by in-group members as people holding oppositional belief systems. Both groups often understand and value their beliefs as indicators of morality.

Unfortunately, our society is already framed this way, and yes, even a virus (or virus politics) can have you sorted into an in-group/out-group dynamic. Additionally, the pandemic emerged during one of the most visibly, racially charged times in modern American history and a bitterly contentious election year. The politicization of Covid-19 was bound to happen, but it shouldn’t continue.

Information about mask protocol has evolved over time as more knowledge has been gained. And while this is understandable, given the circumstances surrounding the pandemic it’s also understandable why the public is fatigued with evolving Covid safety guidelines. Yes, I think vaccine hesitancy is normal, however, the deaths from Covid have been terrifying, and as new variants of the virus are discovered, we collectively experience more loss. Those stories of grandmothers, close friends, sisters, fathers, etc. losing their lives to Covid are getting closer to home.

Sadly, an unfortunate once-in-a-lifetime event is simply political fodder for some politicians seeking to deepen roots in their political group. Senator Ted Cruz for example is vaccinated, yet openly and regularly calls for bans on mask and vaccine mandates. Cruz, recently came under fire for his apparent hypocrisy when he used the hashtag #yourbodyyourchoice. Cruz, who now lends his support to some Black NBA players who are choosing to remain unvaccinated, did not support the bodies of these same Black men for their choice of peaceful protest against police brutality. All in the name of politics, branding, and reelection.

Media Coverage

And then there’s the media; from CNN and MSNBC anchors to late-night talk show hosts, mainstream media coverage around vaccines has only further highlighted how polarized we are in America.

“A vaccinated person having a heart attack? Yes, come right in, we’ll take care of you. An unvaccinated guy who gobbled horse goo? Rest in peace, wheezy.”

Said Late Night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, regarding unvaccinated people and their access to hospital care.

Vaccine Beef

When rap superstar Nicki Minaj expressed her views on the Covid vaccines, she caused an unanticipated frenzy. In a series of tweets, Minaj stated that she would not attend the 2021 MET Gala, due to her being unvaccinated, but would likely get vaccinated for her upcoming tours.

Minaj also went on to mention a friend of her cousin’s who allegedly suffered impotence after being vaccinated in Trinidad (Minaj’s birth country) –– a strange, unnecessary anecdote.

While her tweet referencing her cousin’s friend could be described as weird and perhaps irresponsible at the worst, it was however inaccurately framed by many media personalities. Impotence was not her viewpoint or recommendation on vaccines

Minaj’s impotence tweet to her 22 million Twitter followers, set off days-long debates that then involved the White House, many media personalities, Tridinadian health officials and leaders, Dr. Anthony Faucci, the UK Prime minister, and many others. Her infamous tweet became facetiously known as ‘ball-gate.

For reporters, Joy-Ann Reid led the pack in the criticism of Minaj saying,

“For you to use your platform to encourage our community to not protect themselves and save their lives, my God, you could do better than that. It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing that you got that. That people listen to you and they listen to you more than they listen to me,”

However, Joy-Ann Reid quickly dialed back some of her criticism after Minaj dug up an old tweet of her’s where she also expresses vaccine hesitancy,

“I mean, will anyone … anyone at all … ever fully trust the @CDCgov again? And who on God’s earth would trust a vaccine approved by the @US_FDA ?? How do we get a vaccine distributed after this broken, Trumpist nonsense has infected everything? Even if Biden wins?”

–– Joy-Ann Reid

Covid vaccines are now political, many folks don’t feel comfortable sharing their vaccination status because of the hostility they may face, be they ‘vaxxed or un-vaxxed.’ Vaccines have become a new identifier similar in some ways to how we talk about ethnicity or nationality. I’ve watched friends vaccinated and unvaccinated, enjoy each other’s company one moment, then spiral into shouting matches over vaccines, despite breathing one another’s air… all day – make it make sense.

Taking the vaccine is in most cases the best choice for people. Yet, for those of us on the sidelines (and others), uninterested in the political theatrics and in-grouping/out-grouping of one another, simply visit the CDC website. Everyone needs to employ some empathy, we all desperately need it now.

Thomas