Yesterday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), former Biden administration senior advisor, former Obama acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt, and medical experts joined Protect Our Care’s Defend The Science to counter the COVID-19 disinformation that is endangering the lives of millions of Americans as cases spike across the country. Republican leaders at all levels have undermined vaccination efforts and spread dangerous conspiracy theories. During the call, Senator Van Hollen made clear that it is absolutely critical for Republicans to reverse course and end the attacks against science and scientists in order to get more people vaccinated before it’s too late.
COVERAGE:
WMAR (ABC Baltimore): Fighting COVID-19 Disinformation In Maryland. “‘It has been absolutely disgraceful to see members of Congress in the House and the Senate, to see right-wing talk show hosts and others-attack the credibility of the scientists at a time when it is more important than ever that [the] American public hears the truth.’” [7/21/21]
WMDT (ABC Salisbury, MD): Sen. Van Hollen, Health Officials Urge Americans To Get The Facts About Covid-19 Vaccines. “‘It’s very important that elected officials and leaders in those states join with the health care experts, rather than be fighting against the health care experts in order to make sure that we vaccinate the American people,’ said Sen. Van Hollen. Sen. Van Hollen says public health officials and other members of congress need to keep the pressure on those spreading disinformation. He also says even with about half of Americans vaccinated, and billions of dollars provided in emergency funding, those numbers aren’t good enough. ‘We have seen vaccine hesitancy continue to exist and spread. It is costing lives,’ said Sen. Van Hollen.” [7/21/21]
WDVM (Hagerstown, MD): Officials Tackle a Surge of COVID-19 Disinformation. “The pandemic has been accompanied by lots of misleading information. Knowledge is power and false information can mislead people about vaccines. ‘One thing that we’ve learned from the last year with the experts is that the experts, those who are not playing politics with our health, but those who are every day put their best expertise to work for all of us,’ said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. As the delta variant grows stronger, the main focus of officials now is to combat misinformation about vaccines.” [7/21/21]
Maryland Matters: Van Hollen, Health Professionals See Vaccine Misinformation As Culprit For Rising COVID Cases. “‘Every day that goes by that some misinformation is allowed to spread — whether it’s intentional lies or just people who haven’t bothered to get the facts — every day that goes on more people die,’ U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said at a news conference Wednesday. He said it’s time to begin calling out disinformation mills, including some of his congressional colleagues.” [7/21/21]
Maryland Reporter: Van Hollen Blasts ‘Absolutely Disgraceful’ Covid-19 Disinformation Campaign. “U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Wednesday slammed lawmakers and pundits who have disseminated disinformation about the novel coronavirus and the vaccines that are aimed at preventing people from becoming seriously ill or possibly even dying from that contagion. ‘More than shameful, it is downright dangerous. Because we are continuing to see the spread and the spike of the Delta virus.’” [7/21/21]
WJZ (CBS Baltimore): Health Officials Fighting Against COVID-19 Disinformation As Cases Rise & Efforts Slow. “Concerns surrounding COVID-19 disinformation have been growing. In response, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen joined Protect Our Care’s virtual press conference Tuesday along with top local and national health officials to address the rise of false information they say is endangering millions of Americans.” [7/21/21]
Wisconsin Examiner: COVID-19 Cases on the Rise Again Amid Concerns About Vaccine Misinformation. “In a nationwide call Wednesday sponsored by the organization Protect Our Care, speakers warned that misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness and safety was stalling progress in getting more people vaccinated and contributing to a new increase in infections.” [7/21/21]