It's important to understand the kind of outsized influence one can have when they're a well-known celebrity.
Nicki Minaj shared an anecdote about her 'cousin's friend' and a supposed issue with their genitalia after receiving the vaccine and now many anti-vaxxers are rallying behind the rapper.
Minaj's story has been widely criticized, as well as her vaccine hesitancy, by others across the internet. But the narrative shifted when Piers Morgan stepped into the ring.
Morgan commented on Professor Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer, getting into an argument with Minaj.
Minaj didn't take the comment lying down and fired back.
Morgan tried to turn it around.
This is a real split situation.
On one hand, Morgan is trying to defend the efficacy of vaccines. This is important, and people who can should get vaccinated.
On the other hand, the British commentator doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to dealing with Black women. It's possible his reputation will interfere with the efficacy of any messages he sends about anything.
And interfere it does.
This whole thing started because of Minaj's outspoken comments about not getting the vaccine. The rapper claims she may get it after doing her own "research."
Vaccines are one of the safest and most studied forms of medicine we have. With the current vaccine, hundreds of millions of doses have been administered with minimal side effects.
Even the highly reported issue with the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine causing blood clots only occurred in 7 per 1 million cases, or less than one-thousandth of a percent of the time.
Morgan may not have the best reputation, but his stance was laudable if less effective than one might hope.
Despite all the research and evidence on the safety and efficacy of vaccines, including the ones for the current pandemic, there are still people willing to push misinformation and will use Minaj's celebrity to do it.
This led to far-right disinformation peddler, Tucker Carlson praising Minaj for her stance, and the rapper sharing a clip on Twitter.
While Piers Morgan may have a bad reputation when it comes to interacting with Black woman, it's important to remember what this argument is really about.
And Tucker Carlson isn't going to be on the right side of it.
Regardless of the validity of the anecdote of a celebrity's cousin's friend in Trinidad's side effects, the current vaccines to relieve the pandemic have proven very safe and effective. They decrease the chance of developing symptoms, decrease the chance of hospitalization if you do, and can help you protect others.
If you can, please get vaccinated and encourage others to do the same.
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