Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is encouraging Americans to ignore “bad advice” about COVID-19 vaccines.
On Tuesday, the Kentucky senator was asked, “Would you speak out against people who are speaking out against the vaccine?”
“I don’t know how I can be any more clear than I have been. I’ve been saying the same thing about vaccinations all along the way,” McConnell responded.
He continued, “Others can say whatever they choose to say. But this is something I think I’m a good example of, something I know the answer to. It is not at all unclear that the way to avoiding getting back in the hospital is to get vaccinated.”
“I want to encourage everybody to do that and to ignore all these other voices that are giving demonstrably bad advice,” he added.
McConnell also warned, “These shots need to get into everybody’s arms as rapidly as possible or else we’re gonna be back in a situation in the fall that we don’t yearn for that we went through last year.”
Watch the video below:
Reporter asks Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: “Would you speak out against people who are speaking out against the vaccine?”
— The Recount (@therecount) July 20, 2021
He says to “get vaccinated” and “ignore all of these other voices that are giving demonstrably bad advice.” pic.twitter.com/40Iy4u7LSF
His comments come as Biden administration officials have raised concerns about the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. President Joe Biden claimed that social media users sharing vaccine misinformation are “killing people.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters during a press briefing that administration officials are regularly “in touch with every network and many many media outlets about coverage of COVID-19 to make sure people have accurate information, to voice concerns when we have them, and I think you all know we’re never shy when we have an issue with a story.”
On Monday, Fox News host Sean Hannity urged his viewers to “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, your doctors, medical professionals you trust based on your unique medical history, your current medical condition, and you and your doctor make a very important decision for your own safety. Take it seriously,” he said.
He added, “It absolutely makes sense for many Americans to get vaccinated. I believe in science. I believe in the science of vaccination.”
While Hannity urged viewers to consider taking the vaccine, host Tucker Carlson argued viewers should “ignore” the advice to get vaccinated.
“There are a lot of those people giving you medical advice on television, and you should ignore them,” Carlson said, adding, “The advice they’re giving you isn’t designed to help. It’s designed to make you comply. And you shouldn’t comply mindlessly. You’re an American adult. You’re allowed to ask simple questions and then demand clear answers.”
Carlson’s comments come after several Fox personalities urged viewers to get vaccinated.
