Perspectives: Biden's Call for Vaccine Mandates

The idea of mandating the COVID-19 vaccine has been one of the pandemic's more divisive issues, and that debate gained new momentum Thursday as President Joe Biden called for mandatory vaccines for roughly 100 million Americans. Biden said the vaccine should be mandated for federal employees, with no alternative option for weekly testing. He also called for private companies with 100+ workers to either mandate vaccines or test employees for COVID-19 weekly. Roughly 54% of Americans are fully vaccinated. A recent Gallup (Center bias) poll says majorities of Americans support vaccine mandates at offices, restaurants, hotels and events with large crowds.

Biden's call for mandates prompted reactions from voices across the spectrum. Many left-rated voices expressed support for the move, framing Biden's efforts as a "war on the unvaccinated" and suggesting that the unvaccinated deserve significant blame for the continued COVID-19 pandemic and economic instability. Right-rated voices often opposed the mandates, with many arguing that though the vaccines have proven safe and effective, mandating them is an unconstitutional encroachment on personal liberty. Some also highlighted how Biden and other public officials expressed opposition to federal vaccine mandates until the past month or so.