SECONDNEXUS
percolately
georgetakei
comicsands
George's Reads
Republican Congressman
Jim Jordan
of Ohio has embraced the Republican dismissal of any and all safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the pandemic that's killed over 650 thousand Americans.
Jordan has said that "real America" is " done " with COVID-19 despite the deadlier, more contagious Delta Variant wreaking havoc across the nation, especially in red states. He's said vaccine mandates are " un-American " despite a centuries-long history of mandatory inoculations, beginning with George Washington himself.
Now, Jordan is yet again invoking superficial patriotism in order to further politicize the pandemic.
On Monday, Jordan claimed there were "two Americas": one dominated by pandemic "hysteria" and another that goes to church, school, and restaurants, while "loving freedom".
There are two Americas: One is dominated by #COVID19 hysteria. The other? -Goes to church -Goes to work -Goes… https://t.co/aKeKcLXXJn— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Rep. Jim Jordan) 1632164862.0
In reality, many of the very states whose COVID policies Republicans have slammed, such as New York, have largely reopened with some guidelines—like vaccine passports—and been able to keep their positivity rates under five percent.
What's more, an unignorable number of the people living in "hysteria" that Jordan described are immunocompromised or have limited access to affordable healthcare. Even so, Republicans have repeatedly emphasized " personal responsibility " amid the pandemic. Jordan's characterization of those still staying home seems at odds with the belief that Americans can make individual choices regarding their own safety.
Social media users and even Jordan's own colleagues called him out on the tweet.
My GOP colleague wants to divide us. I believe in one America. Also, it turns out that if you are vaccinated, you… https://t.co/Ju6U9AtYMM— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1632165571.0
Your party’s followers are dying at roughly 5x the rate of other parties’ voters. Can’t imagine why that could be… https://t.co/VWR29Yc27A— Ryan Chapline (@Ryan Chapline) 1632171645.0
Published an hour ago https://t.co/8kijdn9KDP https://t.co/3ureoE2IGh— Robyn Patterson (@Robyn Patterson) 1632165459.0
There are two states of humanity... Above ground and below ground. Those above ground, and wish to stay that way, r… https://t.co/wM6pl4moSq— Bonrat (@Bonrat) 1632168380.0
S-s-s-s-h! Jordan thinks it’s hysteria to want to prevent needless deaths from Covid…pass it on.… https://t.co/iXgVkDYzdY— Susan.. (@Susan..) 1632166207.0
Some said Jordan was causing irreparable harm with his rhetoric.
If you are vaccinated, you have a higher chance of living. Which means you get to: -Go to church -Go to work -Go… https://t.co/YEPkVtRGdX— Biden_Squadron (@Biden_Squadron) 1632166993.0
QAnon senator utilizing the word "hysteria" in midst of a pandemic that has killed 674K Americans. Meanwhile the S… https://t.co/2h43WwSjnu— InkBetweenFreckles (@InkBetweenFreckles) 1632166431.0
There are two Americas: One are the Patriots who take #COVID19 seriously. The other are the Traitors like… https://t.co/QuWfzpIz7V— David Petr, MDiv #ExGOP 🇺🇸 (@David Petr, MDiv #ExGOP 🇺🇸) 1632165923.0
Sadly, that doesn't seem to bother him.