Biden is losing voters due to him ignoring Covid.

[curbsideprophet]

I have heard others also express they will not vote for him this cycle. Some/many in the disability community are rightfully upset.


COVID Isn’t Going Anywhere. Masking Up Could Save My Life.

Disability Visibility is a column on being disabled in a nondisabled world.
BY ALICE WONG
JANUARY 17, 2024

“For many, the pandemic is not over. People need to continue to wear masks and get vaccinated if they can, in addition to pushing for better air quality and other mitigation efforts, instead of worshiping the individualistic “you do you” philosophy. Even now, with health care facilities in Los Angeles County and other cities reinstating mask mandates, it seems like business as usual with leaders continuing to downplay the pandemic or ignore it altogether. During a press briefing in early January, a reporter asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre whether hospitals should resume mask requirements and she replied, “...hospitals, communities, cities, states, they have to make their own decisions…that’s not something we get involved in,” essentially abdicating any responsibility by the federal government to keep the public safe.

The messaging is obvious from the top all the way to the local level: The pandemic is not deadly and getting COVID is just a mild flu for “normal” people because that’s just how hypercapitalism, racism, eugenics, and ableism work. The normalization of repeated infections, preventable deaths, and anti-science propaganda is tearing the fabric of society, with the most marginalized hanging by a thread.”



www.teenvogue.com/story/covid-isnt-going-anywhere-masking-up-could-save-my-life

[StrawberryBlondie]

I'm not going to say these concerns aren't valid (obviously they are) but I'd be willing to bet that Biden and/or his people have decided that the political ramifications of bringing back COVID as a major concern are more significant.

[wanderingback]

Jan 18, 2024 8:39:52 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I'm not going to say these concerns aren't valid (obviously they are) but I'd be willing to bet that Biden and/or his people have decided that the political ramifications of bringing back COVID as a major concern are more significant.

While I don’t necessarily think it needs to be brought as a "major concern" necessarily that includes federal mask mandates they can surely come up with better answers than what the press secretary said and inform people of best practices per public health guidelines, come on!

Instead of saying "that’s not something we’re going to get involved in, could have said something like "although we have no plans for federal masking mandates, it’s important to update the public that hospitalizations from covid, flu and rsv are on the rise throughout the country so it’s important for communities to come together to make sure they’re updated on all vaccine recommendations and wearing masks in crowded or public areas is a good strategy to keep us all safer and healthier."

I really don’t think that would cause Biden to lose votes.

[ECB]

wanderingback agreed. I don't think a federal mandate is realistic. Trump made sure of that. It's way too divisive now (you know, people's health, thinking of others.... (Please feel the irony!)). But there is better messaging.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Jan 18, 2024 9:00:19 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Jan 18, 2024 8:39:52 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I'm not going to say these concerns aren't valid (obviously they are) but I'd be willing to bet that Biden and/or his people have decided that the political ramifications of bringing back COVID as a major concern are more significant.

While I don’t necessarily think it needs to be brought as a "major concern" necessarily that includes federal mask mandates they can surely come up with better answers than what the press secretary said and inform people of best practices per public health guidelines, come on!

Instead of saying "that’s not something we’re going to get involved in, could have said something like "although we have no plans for federal masking mandates, it’s important to update the public that hospitalizations from covid, flu and rsv are on the rise throughout the country so it’s important for communities to come together to make sure they’re updated on all vaccine recommendations and wearing masks in crowded or public areas is a good strategy to keep us all safer and healthier."

I really don’t think that would cause Biden to lose votes.

I disagree. I think mentioning masking as even a possibility or something one should choose to do on their own accord is a politically bad idea.

I do think there's better messaging to be had, though.

[wildrice]

I guess this is another one where I'm like - what's the alternative? Trump, who is actively anti-mask or any other precautions? They can be upset with Biden about this (I'm upset with him about plenty) but I don't see how sitting out or voting for the other guy will be any more helpful.

I wish we had a better alternative, but we don't.

[jeaniebueller]

Nothing in the article says anything about Biden losing voters or any significant portion of voters over COVID policy, or did I miss that? I see that the author says that she wont' vote for Biden, but there aren't stats on the number of others who may sit out over this issue. I do agree with wanderingback , that they should message the availability of vaccines and masking in certain situations or while sick better. It seems really difficult nowadays to find information about the boosters, when to get them, etc. and that could be improved on. The reality seems to be that very few voters, even dem voters, want to talk about covid anymore. Honestly, aside from getting education about vaccines, i'm not interested in discussing covid any more.

[fortnightlily]

This is tangential, but if people enter this thread for Covid-related news, Katelin Jetelina aka Your Local Epidemiologist posted updated news about Long Covid today and I thought these tidbits were notable:

* The evidence that Paxlovid can help prevent Long Covid in younger people is weak. The evidence that vaccination helps prevent Long Covid is stronger.
* In July, HHS (so, yes, the Biden administration) announced the formation of an Office of Long COVID Research and Practice

yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/long-covid-research-roundup

[mrshandy]

Jan 18, 2024 9:58:04 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Nothing in the article says anything about Biden losing voters or any significant portion of voters over COVID policy, or did I miss that? I see that the author says that she wont' vote for Biden, but there aren't stats on the number of others who may sit out over this issue. I do agree with wanderingback , that they should message the availability of vaccines and masking in certain situations or while sick better. It seems really difficult nowadays to find information about the boosters, when to get them, etc. and that could be improved on. The reality seems to be that very few voters, even dem voters, want to talk about covid anymore. Honestly, aside from getting education about vaccines, i'm not interested in discussing covid any more.

There is always more that can be done. But I will say I really like the Travis Kelce two things at once commercials that I've seen during many an NFL game. They need to really expand that campaign with other celebrities. I think it could go far.