Reactions to the White House’s comments on unvaccinated Americans
Below, we break down the reactions to this statement on both the left and the right.
What else is each side focusing on?
- Mr. Zients is only stating the truth.
- The White House is dodging its responsibilities by blaming unvaccinated people.
The Narrative
This harsh rhetoric is warranted because unvaccinated people have long refused to listen to reason. It’s good that the White House is being truthful and transparent about the risks associated with being unvaccinated.
The White House is trying to wriggle out of its responsibilities to the American people by blaming the unvaccinated for its failed policies. By using such hateful and divisive rhetoric, the White House is exacerbating existing divisions.
How could a reasonable person come to think this?
To people on the left, protecting vulnerable people in society is a primary concern, and refusal to get vaccinated puts vulnerable people at risk.
To people on the right, politicians are using the pandemic to implement far-reaching policies that severely limit individual liberties — especially the right for people to decide for themselves how to lead their lives.
What else is the left focusing on?
- Mr. Zients is only stating the truth.
The narrative: This harsh rhetoric is warranted because unvaccinated people have long refused to listen to reason. It’s good that the White House is being truthful and transparent about the risks associated with being unvaccinated.
How could a reasonable person come to think that?
To people on the left, protecting vulnerable people in society is a primary concern, and refusal to get vaccinated puts vulnerable people at risk.
What is the right focusing on?
- The White House is dodging its responsibilities by blaming unvaccinated people.
The narrative: The White House is trying to wriggle out of its responsibilities to the American people by blaming the unvaccinated for its failed policies. By using such hateful and divisive rhetoric, the White House is exacerbating existing divisions.
How could a reasonable person come to think that?
To people on the right, politicians are using the pandemic to implement far-reaching policies that severely limit individual liberties — especially the right for people to decide for themselves how to lead their lives.
Because the left is prioritizing the protection of vulnerable people while the right is prioritizing individual liberties, conflict arises between the two sides about how we, as a community, should proceed.
But before we write off our contra partisans as brainwashed, stupid, or evil, it’s helpful to remind ourselves that, although our desired outcome is the same (minimizing death/disease), our vision for how to get there differs. Both people on the left and right are advocating for actions which align with their values, trying to do what’s best based on their worldview.
Notable Amplifiers
If you are still unvaxxed at this stage of the pandemic you deserve the harsh, unvarnished truth. We’ve tried everything else. https://t.co/38ttBT5bbu
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 20, 2021
The White House is using more alarming language because unvaccinated Americans continue to not listen. It's not fear-mongering…it's facts.
— Rex Zane (@rexzane1) December 20, 2021
I think it’s intended to give *vaccinated* people confidence that they can and should continue living their lives, sending kids to school, and doing things. https://t.co/uPajBCiPLq
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) December 20, 2021
The Biden White House is desperately seeking to blame Americans because all of their covid policies have failed. This is embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/0b5yDmrnjf
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 20, 2021
happens everywhere of course, but the US reigns supreme in the art of turning every issue into a sports match between two teams. the white house is pushing vaccinated vs unvaccinated rn, not to convince the unvaxxed, but to shift the government's own responsibilities onto them
— Shaun (@shaun_vids) December 20, 2021
Why did the White House release THIS kind of statement today? It’s simple. They want to further the Us vs. Them divide so that they have someone to blame for their failures despite the fact it’s fully vaccinated schools like Harvard & Cornell shutting down along with blue cities. pic.twitter.com/T26JwY3dkr
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) December 20, 2021