Laurie Garrett Profile picture
Former Sr Fellow @CFR_org. Recipient of Pulitzer Prize, Polk (3Xs) and Peabody Awards. Author: IHeard theSirensScream, TheComingPlague, Ebola & BetrayalofTrust.

May 20, 2021, 12 tweets

Why is the @JoeBiden administration doing such a lousy job with convincing the hesitant to get #COVID19 #vaccines?
Here's some messages I'd like to see.
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washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/…

Message 1: Worried you might give your kids or grandkids #COVID19 ?
Great news: The virus spreads via breathing, shared air. You can wear masks to cut that. AND, turns out the vaccines fill your nose & throat w/virus-killing antibodies, so you don't spread or harbor virus.
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Message 2: All of those scary mutant forms -- variants -- of #COVID19 ? Looks like all of the vaccines used in the USA knock them out. Sometimes the immune response against a particular variant is weaker, but it still works.
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Message 3: The handfuls of blood-clotting episodes connected to @AstraZeneca & J&J #vaccines are disturbing. True. But the #COVID19 disease causes clots, too -- at a far greater rate. cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspecti…
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Message 4: mRNA doesn't go inside your genes. Nope, never inserts into DNA. So it is actually impossible for mRNA vaccines to change human genetics or cause mutations. Relax.
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Message 5: You really don't want to be a COVID "long-hauler"
In a study of Swedish health workers, "26% of those who had mild #COVID19 (had) at least 1 moderate to severe symptom that lasted >2 months...11% had at least 1 symp that lasted 8+ mos."
directorsblog.nih.gov/tag/long-haule… MORE

Message 6: Love your kids. They aren't as likely to get #COVID19 as you are, but you could pass it onto them. And even mild cases in kids can have long term effects, some quite serious. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33205450/
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Message 7: Aren't you sick of working at home yet? Think your boss will be thrilled about having you back at the office/store/eatery/school/theater if you might be an unvaccinated disease carrier? In most States, the bosses get to say yes/no. Why risk your job?
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Message 8: What a relief! Just listen to all these people who feel like a great weight is off their shoulders, now that they are fully vaccinated. Fear really sucks. Until you lose that fear, you can't imagine how heavily it is weighing upon you.
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Message 9: You recall Michelle Bachman? She ran for President in 2011. During a GOP debate she said she knew a woman whose "daughter suffered mental retardation as a result of that vaccine. There are very dangerous consequences," of the HPV #vaccine. In Nigeria...
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Mess 9 cont: religious leaders told women their children would be sterilized by the #polio #vaccine . Today in Afghanistan the Taliban claims the same & attacks polio vaccinators. Don't listen to the lies: #COVID19 #vaccines have zero impact on sperm, eggs or reproduction.
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Message 10: Imagine never again having a guilt-trip laid on you for not wearing your mask in a store or at a bar. Get fully #COVID19 vaccinated and you can smile at the waiter or cashier, knowing that you pose no danger.
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