Trump spent months playing down the risk of covid — even after he got sick. Is it such a surprise that so many GOP voters echo his rhetoric and don’t trust the gov’t response?
A short thread on this story. washingtonpost.com/health/2021/03…
A short thread on this story. washingtonpost.com/health/2021/03…
First: At least 25% of GOP voters have consistently said 👎 to vax, per @kff polls. kff.org/coronavirus-co…
“The thing that’s most concerning to me right now is that share of ‘definitely not’ is not budging among the public overall, including Republicans,” said @lizhamel.
“The thing that’s most concerning to me right now is that share of ‘definitely not’ is not budging among the public overall, including Republicans,” said @lizhamel.
WHY THE RESISTANCE? — Having talked to GOP voters, some parrot Trump’s claims that covid is “just a flu.”
Others are hyper-vigilant about covid but claim the vax is unnecessary or was developed too fast. Still more cite their own infections and immunity.
There’s no one answer.
Others are hyper-vigilant about covid but claim the vax is unnecessary or was developed too fast. Still more cite their own infections and immunity.
There’s no one answer.
ONE CLEAR CONNECTION WITH TRUMP — How his rhetoric helped wear down trust in CDC, Fauci et al, which plunged among GOP voters last year even as it improved among Democrats.
Trump may be gone but trust deficits persist.
Trump may be gone but trust deficits persist.
SO HOW TO REACH GOP SKEPTICS? — The Biden admin and public health groups like @deBeaumontFndtn are testing messages; @FrankLuntz has set up a focus group.
But “I don’t need a focus group to tell me that nothing would have a greater impact than a Donald Trump PSA,” Luntz told me.
But “I don’t need a focus group to tell me that nothing would have a greater impact than a Donald Trump PSA,” Luntz told me.
MEANWHILE, IN TRUMP COUNTRY — Officials in eight counties that went big for Trump in 2020 all said demand continues to easily outpace supply.
But what worries health leaders: when supply inevitably catches up — and if so many GOP voters still say no.
But what worries health leaders: when supply inevitably catches up — and if so many GOP voters still say no.
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