When the pandemic hit, it caught nearly everyone off guard. Most of us pivoted from going into work to working remotely and online learning. We started missing going outside and terms like “When the world opens back up” became a common saying that we all longed for.
Now, with over 30 million people vaccinated, about 40% of Americans have experienced some sort of immunity thanks to the vaccine. More Americans are more eager than ever to get back to some sense of normalcy and for many, the vaccine can help do that.
That’s why all past living U.S. Presidents, except Trump, have issued a PSA urging fellow Americans to get vaccinated.
Today, Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared via Instagram a picture of her getting vaccinated and her reason for getting the shot. In the post, she also shared the latest PSA video of past presidents getting vaccinated.
“When you can get the COVID-19 vaccine, I hope you do—Barack and I are certainly glad we did,” explains Mrs. Obama. “It’s our best shot at beating this virus, looking out for one another, and getting back to some of the things we miss. Getting vaccinated will save lives—and that life could be yours.”
Former President Obama shared that, “I want to visit with Michelle’s mom. To hug her and see her on her birthday.”
“That’s the first step to ending the pandemic and moving our country forward,” said Obama.
At the end of the minute-long video, former President Jimmy Carter is seen getting his vaccination and the 96-year-old President states his reason, “because we want this pandemic to end as soon as possible.”
With vaccines becoming more widely available in cities and states across the country, those in charge of getting vaccines in the arms of Americans are eager to use the influence of people such as the former presidents to push people to get their shots. Vaccine hesitancy remains an issue, even as the number of people hesitant to get the vaccine has been dropping rapidly.
So what’s your reason for getting vaccinated?
Me, personally, it’s my family. I have a young daughter and a newborn son and I honestly want to be around them for a long time. I received my shot and will be getting my second shot in a few days. And no, I haven’t had any adverse reactions, I didn’t turn into a zombie, I don’t have the mark of the beast on my head, my arm did NOT fall off, I don’t have any decrease in energy. As a matter of fact, my energy, if anything, has increased.
I’ve been following the data (not my feelings or how other people FEEL about the vaccine) and the data is clear.
According to CNN data, about 93.7 million vaccine doses have been administered in the United States, with the Food and Drug Administration issuing emergency use authorizations for three vaccines: The two-shot Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson one.
The coronavirus has infected over 29 million people in the United States, killing over 529,000 Americans. The death toll worldwide has reached roughly 2.6 million.
The video ends by saying “This is our shot. Now do your part.”