The Point: What Rand Paul gets wrong on vaccines

View this email in your browser   May 24, 2021  | by Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski What Rand Paul gets wrong on vaccines Rand Paul has no plans to get vaccinated against the virus that causes Covid-19.   He made that quite clear in a radio interview Sunday, explaining: "Until they show me evidence that people who have already had the infection are dying in large numbers or being hospitalized or getting very sick, I just made my own personal decision that I'm not getting vaccinated because I've already had the disease and I have natural immunity."   It is true that Paul has already had Covid-19; he tested positive way back in mid-March 2020. (Paul created a huge national controversy when he continued to interact with people in the Senate after he had been potentially exposed.)   But is he right that having had the virus means he shouldn't get vaccinated?   Science says no.   "Public health guidance on this is crystal clear," Dr. Jay Varkey, associate professor of medicine at Emory University, told CNN's John King. "Even if someone has already had Covid-19 and recovered, like Rand Paul, they should be vaccinated. ... We don't yet know exactly how long immunity lasts after infection."   There's also this from the CDC:   "Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That's because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible — although rare — that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again."   Health and science aside, there's also the symbolism and messaging question. If we know that a) herd immunity is the only way the country really returns to normal and b) the path to herd immunity runs through mass vaccinations, then the responsible thing for elected officials to do is advocate for people to get vaccinated.     When someone like Paul does the exact opposite, he sends the wrong kind of message: that getting vaccinated is about individual liberties and "Big Brother" (words he used in that same radio interview).   The Point: Paul, who has publicly feuded with Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly during the pandemic, seems to believe that he knows better than experts in the field of infectious disease. Here's a news flash: He does not.   -- Chris QUOTE OF THE DAY "We're waiting for a really tough news day for the cat." -- White House press secretary Jen Psaki sarcastically declined to provide any updates on the cat expected to join the Biden family when pressed on Monday.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED One reminder of the January 6 Capitol insurrection has left the building: The National Guard troops called up to defend the Capitol complex.   Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré said the National Guard members would leave the Capitol grounds Sunday -- 137 days after the insurrection -- because they've accomplished their mission of securing the Capitol. Honoré made the remarks in an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation."   "As these troops depart for home and a much-deserved reunion with loved ones, I hope they do so knowing how much the nation appreciates their service and sacrifice -- and that of their families and employers," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a separate statement. "I hope they know how very proud we are of them." CHRIS' GOOD READS The New York Times' David Leonhardt continues to be indispensable on understanding how the public thinks about Covid-19 -- and the vaccine. His latest is on how low vaccination rates are best understood not by political party, but by level of education. This is a very important Politico piece on how the men and women who tried to overturn the last election could well be in charge of the next election.   Look to Arkansas for the future of the Trump (and post-Trump) movements, says Jonathan Martin. This Times re-creation of what the Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed is stunning. Vegas is betting big that Americans are done with the pandemic, reports The Washington Post.   I loved this piece by WaPo's Chuck Culpepper on Lefty winning at 50.   BREAKING: Jean Smart is the best. MUSICAL INTERLUDE Today is Bob Dylan's 80th birthday. To celebrate the day, Stereogum asked 80 artists their favorite Dylan tune -- and why. The result is amazing. (Also, check out the Rolling Stone list of the 80 best Dylan covers ever.) MONDAY'S MUST-SEE TWEETS 1. John Berman goes off on MTG 2. One year ago today 3. He's running (for Texas attorney general) 4. I laughed 5. My 5 favorite Dylan songs (and a lot of other people's faves too!)   -- Chris ONE BIG THING 23 The number of states that will stop paying jobless residents the $300-a-week federal boost to unemployment benefits -- all citing labor shortages as the reason. Florida is the latest Republican-led state to do so.  You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Create your CNN Account Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox.   Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303   Copyright © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.

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