Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) wants to know “what’s the point” of trying to get everyone vaccinated for COVID-19.
During an interview with conservative Wisconsin radio host Vicki McKenna, Johnson said, “The science tells us that vaccines are 95% effective, so if you have a vaccine, quite honestly, what do you care if your neighbor has one or not?”
The senator added, “You’ve got a vaccine. Science is telling you it’s very, very effective. Why is this big push to make sure everybody gets a vaccine, to the point when you better impose it, you’re going to shame people, you’re going to force them to carry a card to prove that they’ve been vaccinated so they can just stay in society.”
“I’m getting highly suspicious of what’s happening here,” he said.
President Joe Biden has urged all Americans over the age of 16 to get the COVID-19 vaccine, saying on Wednesday, “Vaccines can save your own life, but they can also save your grandmother’s life, your co-worker’s life, the grocery store clerk, or the delivery person helping you and your neighbors get through the crisis.”
More than 218 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in the U.S., as of Thursday morning.
Johnson’s remarks drew a response from Joe Walsh — who ran a 2020 Republican primary challenge against former President Donald Trump — tweeted, “Dear Ron Johnson, Please don’t run for re-election. Sincerely, A Friend [and] Former Congressional Colleague.”
Dear Ron Johnson,
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) April 23, 2021
Please don’t run for re-election.
Sincerely,
A Friend & Former Congressional Colleague https://t.co/H7VJc4FqPS
Johnson has not said whether he would run for reelection or not, but he has received support from Trump to do so.
