President Joe Biden made a direct appeal to faith leaders on Thursday to urge their congregations to take the COVID-19 vaccine, saying skeptical populations would heed their words before his.
The Democratic president also acknowledged an uptick in coronavirus cases since some states relaxed precautions such as mask mandates and restrictions on occupancy inside businesses like bars and restaurants. Biden himself had promised a more normal July 4 if people got vaccinated when it is their turn and continued health tactics like covering their faces and keeping a distance.
But now that the highly contagious airborne virus is again infecting thousands across the country, his Independence Day vision is in doubt.
“They’re going to listen to your words, more than they are me, as president of the United States,“ he said on a video call with religious leaders.
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He urged them, just days before Easter services for Christians, to speak to their worshipers “about what we have to do, what’s available and not to be fearful, not to be fearful of getting the vaccine.”
“The point I’m trying to make is for the faith community as faith community leaders, you’ve been critical partners to us in our COVID response,” the president said on the call. “We need you to spread the word, let people in our communities and your community know how important is to get everyone vaccinated when it’s their turn. And soon they’ll just be able to just line up and just get their name on a list.”
But he also sounded an alarm to the country as the virus surges anew.
“What I’m worried about now what the scientists are telling me, people are getting too cavalier with traveling a great deal, gathering in larger crowds, and people aren’t wearing their masks. Aren’t on social distancing. Aren’t washing their hands. And you’ve seen this spike,” Biden said. “I think this is the godly thing to do. Protect your brother and sister.”
Asked recently if he wants former President Donald Trump to urge a large slice of his conservative base that has signaled an unwillingness to get vaccinated to take the jab, Biden also pointed to local pastors and priests as likely more effective messengers.
“The thing that has more impact than anything Trump would say to the MAGA folks is what the local doctor, what the local preachers, what the local people in the community say,” he said. “So, I urge, I urge all local docs and ministers and priests to talk about why, why it’s important to get … the vaccine.”
That contradicted what his press secretary Jen Psaki had told reporters hours earlier.
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“Well, if former President Trump woke up tomorrow and wanted to be more vocal about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, certainly we’d support that,” Psaki said.
One recent poll found one-third of Republicans do not plan to get the inoculating poke, compared to 10% of Democrats.
