Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy is splitting dangerously along partisan lines

[DonViejo]

Analysis by Harry Enten, CNN

Updated 5:01 AM ET, Mon February 15, 2021

(CNN) - The ability to at least contain the coronavirus in America to the point that it is manageable as soon as possible will come down in large part to Americans' willingness to get vaccinated. The good news is that more and more Americans say they are willing to do so.

Unfortunately, a partisan split on receiving a Covid-19 vaccine has reemerged and widened over the last few months. This partisan gap could impact our capacity to keep the virus at bay given our deepening polarization, and needs to be continually addressed.

Take a look at polling from Axios/Ipsos and Gallup on coronavirus issues. They have polled frequently on the topic in recent months.

In an average of Axios/Ipsos polls taken in January and February, 74% of Democrats said they'd either been vaccinated, or were extremely or very likely to get vaccinated as soon it's available to them. Just 51% of Republicans said the same thing. Independents were in the middle of these two groups at 61%.

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https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/15/politics/covid-vaccine-hesitant-partisan-split/index.html

[Arkansas Granny]

1. What will they say when Republicans are dying at higher rates than Democrats?

Who will they blame?

[tanyev]

4. Democrat plot to kill Republicans!!1!

You know that's coming.

[gulliver]

6. Maybe that's how to get them to accept the vaccine

Tell them we Dems started the anti-vax attitude in the Republican Party as a secret plan to get all the vaccine for ourselves.

[tanyev]

9. Maybe that could work for masks, too.

Spread the word that only Democrats will be allowed to wear masks. Their oppositional defiance disorder will have them wearing masks in no time.

[former9thward]

12. Where is the evidence of that?

[Arkansas Granny]

13. No evidence, just speculation that those who won't get vaccinated will be more likely to get sick

and possibly die from the disease.

[former9thward]

14. Sure

Although I did not see any significant differences percentage wise in the OP. At the margins mostly. The main problem is not political it is along ethnic and racial divisions.

Black Americans Are Getting Vaccinated at Lower Rates Than White Americans

https://khn.org/news/article/black-americans-are-getting-vaccinated-at-lower-rates-than-white-americans/

There are many reasons for this. Some are systematic where it is difficult for minorities to get to vaccination sites. But there is also resistance to the vaccine among minorities largely because of rumors about it.

[llmart]

2. I'm not surprised.

The divide is between the smart people and the stupid ones. Guess which party is which? I wonder if the scientists can find a vaccine for "stupid"?

[DBoon]

3. I wouldn't call it smart vs. stupid

I'd call it reality-based vs. fantasy-based

[llmart]

5. Well, if you believe in fantasies then you're stupid.

That's my take on it.

[SoonerPride]

7. There is a vaccine for stupid

It’s called a book

[llmart]

11. LOL

Or better yet, books. I've often said that you can learn anything if you can read. I'm a lifelong fan of books. Spent ten years of my career in libraries.

[roamer65]

8. I have no problem with it.

Let those that want to live get the vaccine.

Let the stupid be subject to natural selection. If it happens to be predominately Trumpists, all the better.

[cwydro]

10. I live in a red county.

There’s been no hesitation here except amongst various specific groups. Republicans are not one of those.

I’m too young and too healthy for the vax at this point, but a friend of mine meets every qualification and can’t get an appointment.