A Positive COVID-19 Article (Finally!)

By: Katie Harbaugh

I know the last thing you probably want to read right now is another coronavirus article. I totally understand that--this virus has been the focus of most media for almost a year. However, with novel vaccines just having been developed by two companies (Moderna and Pfizer), the tides seem to be changing. Now, there is an air of hope surrounding once desperate conversations, and a focus on a future spent with friends and family, eating inside restaurants, and not having to wear a mask all day. Although that is still a ways away, it is always nice to have something to look forward to. 

On top of that, three former presidents: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush all volunteered to receive the COVID-19 vaccination--once primary testing is completed and FDA approval has been granted. Not only that, but they insisted upon doing so publicly, so as to decrease the fear and skepticism surrounding such a new treatment. Even though there have been over 200,000 deaths, mask mandates, and countless public shutdowns, some individuals still don’t accept the existence (or threat) of this virus. Consequently, an even greater number of people are skeptical of a vaccine, especially having just endured the term of a president who suggested injecting hydroxychloroquine into the body as a cure for covid. Undoubtedly, one of the main hopes of well-known figures Obama, Clinton, and Bush receiving the vaccine is that it will have an influence on the general public’s view and willingness to accept the drug. 

Finally, it is important to talk about the significance of these individuals coming together and agreeing to receive the vaccine. Here, we see two Democrats (Obama and Clinton), and a Republican (Bush) uniting to pursue a common goal: defeating COVID-19. Surely the three disagree on a number of issues, but regardless, they are teaming up to sponsor the recognition of science. This hopefully proves to the public that if we had to agree on one thing, and one thing only, it would be the importance of science. These past four years have been more divisive than ever, and it is about time for people to come together, especially in the face of something as dire as the coronavirus. Maybe these three presidents uniting will be the spark we didn’t know we needed. 



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The Catalystcovid, covid-19, pandemic, positivity, vaccine, presidents, unityComment