“The 360” shows you diverse perspectives on the day’s top stories and debates.
What’s happening
As the first round of coronavirus vaccines began to break out across the United States, some of the country’s most prominent politicians rolled up their sleeves to receive their first dose. Other legislators have made sharp statements about not accepting it.
The sides of the debate face typical partisan divisions. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris got it. So do Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Republicans like the majority leaders Mitch McConnell, Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the face of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, spoke to her followers through the process as they received the shot live on Instagram.
Those who refused the shot also come from across the political spectrum. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a fellow member of ‘the Squad’, said it was ‘disgraceful’ for young, healthy legislators to be vaccinated in front of frontline workers. GOP senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul have said they will wait too.
According to White House officials, President Trump plans to take the vaccine, but his doctors recommend waiting because he received certain treatments after being infected with the coronavirus in October.
Why debate?
Images of prominent lawmakers receiving the vaccine have provoked backlash from those who argue that the limited supply of life-saving treatment should be reserved for people at greatest risk due to the virus, such as health workers and the elderly. Particularly intense disapproval was directed at Republicans such as Rubio, Graham and Iowa Governor Joni Ernst, whose critics have exacerbated the health crisis by consistently reducing the risks of the virus.
Those who support giving politicians the vaccine cite two main reasons. The first is the threat of a widespread outbreak in the Congress of the executive, which could paralyze the government’s ability to function at such an important time. “There is no reason why you should postpone receiving this vaccine,” the attending physician wrote to Congress in a letter to lawmakers. Dozens of congressmen were infected during the pandemic. An incoming member of the House, Luke Letlow of Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday at COVID-19.
Others, including Ocasio-Cortez, say it is important for lawmakers to show their ingredients that the vaccine is safe to combat widespread skepticism against vaccines that could hamper efforts to end the pandemic.
What’s next
Investigations into who has access to the vaccine are likely to continue as long as stocks last, a situation that could take many months.
Perspectives
Supporters
If you see prominent figures being vaccinated, it may reduce the hesitation of the vaccine
“I’m hopeful people are saying ‘this senator has been vaccinated, this congressman has been vaccinated and I may not trust the public health system, but I trust them.’ ‘- Health expert Utibe R. Essien to Associated Press
A major eruption on Capitol Hill could bring the government to a halt at an important time
“If they are considered a priority to keep the country going, they should take the vaccine so that they can be healthy and keep the country good.” – Infectious disease expert Simone Wildes to ABC News
The doses legislators receive are not taken away from frontline workers
‘Important to note that vaccines for members of Congress have already been set aside as part of the continuity of [government] procedures under presidential policy 40, so to pass it on does not make essential workers in the supply chain shots. ”- Business Insider Reporter Jake Lahut
Many of the country’s key leaders are at high risk
“Congress members have a greater risk of exposure to viruses and transmitting them to others due to their weekly travel from across the country to get together in the Capitol and regular interactions with ingredients. Many legislators are also over the age of 65, who run the risk of developing serious consequences of COVID-19. ‘- Cristina Marcos, The Hill
Too many setbacks by politicians could jeopardize the broader vaccination effort
‘It’s going well with me if specific legislators want to wait for vaccinations until demographically similar members of the public can get it. But I’m wary of messages that suggest to the public * they should reject an offered vaccine because other people need it more. Feelings of guilt can only delay the deployment. ”- KCRW Host Josh Barro
Critics
Vaccine doses must be reserved for the most vulnerable
‘If you’re young like Omar or AOC, you do not need to take the vaccine. Give it to the older people in America. The Congress and [Dr. Anthony] Fauci and others said ‘follow science’. Science would prescribe that the older people should get it first. ”- Sean Duffy, Fox News
Politicians are poor messengers for fighting vaccine skepticism
‘There are people of every race, age and political fidelity who have said they will not take the coronavirus vaccine. … If American leaders want to persuade these groups, they should recruit their members to help with the effort rather than relying entirely on distant celebrities to change their minds. “- John Woodrow Cox, Washington Post
Republicans who downplay the virus do not deserve to have access to the vaccine first
“The people who despised the virus, participated in the White House without a mask and called the coronavirus a hoax to hurt President Trump are now getting the vaccine before the leading and essential workers, and even the vulnerable long-term residents- care facilities. ”- Petula Dvorak, Washington Post
Hypocrisy will undermine public confidence in the government’s virus response
‘The action of this [GOP] senators stress why so many Americans do not like politicians. They are more than happy to ignore their public political views if they take such personal advantage. But it’s one thing if they change an account; it is quite another thing when their previous rhetoric probably contributed to sickness and death. ”- Dean Obeidallah, MSNBC
The idea that lawmakers need the vaccine to keep the government going is absurd
‘Ensuring the health of swamp residents in Washington, DC, has somehow been a higher priority than protecting the safety of the elderly and health workers because it is important to the functioning of the federal government. . (Insert a punchline here.) ” – Andrea Peyser, New York Post
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Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images