PENNSYLVANIA — Even as the national death toll from COVID-19 this week climbs past the U.S. death toll from the Spanish Influenza pandemic, Republican lawmakers proudly remain the pro-COVID, anti-vaccine party, new polling shows today.
According to the results of a new University of Marquette poll published this morning, most Republicans don’t consider COVID-19 a “serious problem” where they live. That sentiment carried over, when Marquette pollsters asked about vaccination status, with Republicans continuing to lag the general population when it comes to getting vaccinated. Communications and public health experts say these skeptics need reassurance from the Republican elected officials they trust the most. But in Pennsylvania, GOP lawmakers are largely keeping quiet about the vaccine, and the ones speaking up are spreading misinformation or sending mixed messages about its safety and efficacy.
As the Philadelphia Inquirer points out, the inaction of the PA GOP stands in stark contrast to the work Democrats across the state are doing. State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Philadelphia) and his wife, Sheryl Lee Ralph-Hughes, hosted five clinics across West Philadelphia to get more Black residents vaccinated. Thousands of residents signed up and received a vaccine.
It’s the steps these Democrats are taking, including President Biden’s new comprehensive strategy featuring vaccine mandates, that are widely supported by the vast majority of voters. 3 in 5 voters say they support President Biden’s vaccine mandates.
The Morning Consult poll found similar support for other steps that Biden announced last week as part of a new, more aggressive plan to reach those who have not yet received a dose of coronavirus vaccine. Sixty-two percent said they support the White House encouraging states to require COVID-19 vaccinations for school employees.
Poll after poll shows Republicans stand on the wrong side of the American people, who overwhelmingly support President Biden’s plan to crush the virus and get our economy back on track.
“The vast majority of voters across the commonwealth and America support the president’s plan to defeat the pandemic.” said Rosie Lapowsky, PA Dems Spokesperson. “It is time the PA Republicans start to put the children, families and businesses of Pennsylvania ahead of their own political interests. They are not only costing jobs here in the commonwealth, they are costing lives.”
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