With Delta variant surging, GOP leaders push supporters to get vaccinated

A map that looks a lot like the Electoral College map has been making its way around social media.

Source: CDC

Except it isn’t the Electoral College 2020 map. It’s a map from the CDC showing the vaccinations for the various states. The darker the blue, the more people fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Take a look at the 2020 Electoral College map.

Source: 270 To Win

By replacing the red states with light blue, the two maps look fairly similar.

With the COVID-19 Delta variant on the rise, there is concern the states with low vaccination rates will be hit hard again.

For this reason, more Republican leaders are urging their constituents to get the vaccine.

Some, like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have been promoting masks and vaccines from the start. The Kentuckian even posted a picture on Twitter when he got his vaccine.

Just received the safe, effective COVID vaccine following continuity-of-government protocols. Vaccines are how we beat this virus.

Now back to continue fighting for a rescue package including a lot more money for distribution so more Americans can receive it as fast as possible. pic.twitter.com/kSBhI3EzzM

— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) December 18, 2020

Others are now following his lead. Over the weekend, House Minority Whip, Congressman Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) got the vaccine, telling his local paper it’s ‘safe and effective’.

It’s not just elected leaders pushing for vaccinations. Big Republican influencers, who once questioned the vaccine are now advocating for it.

Fox News personality Sean Hannity called coronavirus a hoax in March 2020. Now, the Trump confidant is urging people to get the vaccine.

During his Fox News show on Monday, Hannity told his viewers, “It absolutely makes sense for many Americans to get vaccinated. I believe in science. I believe in the science of vaccination.”

Fellow Fox News personality Steve Doocy had a heated argument with a co-host, saying vaccines save lives.

Research backs that up. A new study from Yale estimates that vaccines prevented about 279 thousand deaths nationwide.

The Associated Press found that in Maryland, 130 people died from covid in June. All 130 were unvaccinated.

Getting everybody vaccinated could be an uphill battle. A recent CBS News poll found that 29 percent of Republicans polled say they won’t be getting the vaccine.

States are trying to combat this, offering contests and incentives to try to convince people to get vaccinated.