Cases of the virus that's killed over 600 thousand Americans are rising again, as are deaths and hospitalizations. Despite this, right-wing lawmakers and media personalities are encouraging skepticism of the available vaccines and comparing the Biden administration's effort to ramp up vaccinations to the Nazi party, Jim Crow, apartheid, and the Taliban.
The conservative Fox News network has been a purveyor of conspiracy theories and outcry regarding the vaccine, just as it frequently downplayed the severity of the virus in the year and a half since the pathogen upended daily life in the United States.
But earlier this week, folks noticed a new tone among some of the network's host. They were suddenly imploring people to get the vaccine and warning them of the stronger, deadlier Delta variant of the virus, which recently became the dominant strain in the United States. It was a change that BIden himself noted in a recent town hall.
Far-right Fox News host Sean Hannity, in particular, went viral for telling his millions of viewers to take the Delta variant seriously, and that he believes "in the science of vaccination."
Watch below.
SEAN HANNITY: "Please take Covid seriously. I can't say it enough. Enough people have died. We don't need any more death. Research like crazy. Talk to your doctor... I believe in science. I believe in the science of vaccination."pic.twitter.com/tOi5ebpqSf— Sahil Kapur (@Sahil Kapur) 1626745954
Hannity had repeatedly amplified deadly Republican talking points decrying pandemic safety measures, as well as efforts to get the public vaccinated, so his sudden about-face came as a surprise to many.
But in the conservative media atmosphere, these are controversial sentiments—however potentially lifesaving—and now Hannity's walking them back.
Hannity wants everyone to know "I never told anyone to get a vaccine."\n\nSo, basically, he wants you all to stop giving him any credit for urging his viewers to get vaxxed.pic.twitter.com/1nr1SYcPqs— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1627003765
In his latest broadcast, Hannity bristled at reports that he encouraged viewers to get vaccinated, saying:
"I never told anyone to get a vaccine. I have been very clear. I am simply not qualified. I am not a medical doctor. I know nothing about your medical history or your current medical condition. I think it's inappropriate for me to do so. Instead, for over a year now I have been warning my viewers, you make my career possible."
It's interesting that Hannity cites his lack of medical credentials in withholding calls on his viewers to get vaccinated, especially because his lack of a medical degree didn't prevent him from calling the virus a "hoax" or from frequently speculating about Biden's mental health as recently as that same broadcast.
Sadly, people weren't surprised.
Not even surprised anymore...pic.twitter.com/PRQBUX89M9— Aaron Parnas (@Aaron Parnas) 1627003594
Told yahttps://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1418380956734431233\u00a0\u2026— A.J. Delgado (@A.J. Delgado) 1627003495
a clip which should surprise absolutely no one!https://twitter.com/acyn/status/1418380956734431233\u00a0\u2026— very (@very) 1627028836
But they weren't any less disgusted and exasperated.
Fox News just sucks. I\u2019m not a progressive, I\u2019m not a Democrat, I\u2019m a proud conservative who used to be on Fox News all the time. But I just gotta say, @FoxNews is doing such damage to its audience. Fox News just sucks.https://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1418382712491200516\u00a0\u2026— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1627005495
imagine the choices you have to make In life to find yourself pleading, begging a national television audience at the end of a pandemic to not believe reports that you recommended the life-saving vaccine that you definitely took. pathetic.pic.twitter.com/YvbPWfGf1I— John Whitehouse+ (@John Whitehouse+) 1627004977
Am I missing something obvious? Who, exactly, profits off people *not* being vaccinated? What financial motive is driving this?https://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1418382712491200516\u00a0\u2026— Timothy Burke (@Timothy Burke) 1627005958
Hard to see this as anything but an attempt to retcon a statement without consequence.\n\nHannity and Fox KNOW 2 things about their audience: They want to hear what they want to hear, and they're willing to forgive for saying something they disagree with if they denounce it later.https://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1418382712491200516\u00a0\u2026— Blaise Mikkelsen (@Blaise Mikkelsen) 1627006212
Telling peo to "do your own research" on COVID is telling them to seek info from sources they trust. For Fox News viewers, that'll be Fox News, OAN, Facebook and GQP talk radio.\n\nVaccines are medicines. MDs prescribe medicines. Patients don't decide which meds they don't need.https://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1418382712491200516\u00a0\u2026— Francis L. Holland (@Francis L. Holland) 1627022178
Vaccination rates in the U.S. continue to lag.
@kileywrestling/Bluesky