Washington (EFE) .- All living former US presidents, with the exception of Republican Donald Trump (2017-2021), have joined in some announcements to convey an important message to Americans – get vaccinated against covid-19 as soon as possible.
Participating in the advertising campaign were former Democratic presidents Barack Obama (2009-2017), Bill Clinton (1993-2001), Jimmy Carter (1977-1981); and Republican George W. Bush (2001-2009), as well as former first ladies Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Rosalynn Carter, and Laura Bush.
The project consists of two advertisements – one shows former presidents and former first ladies receiving the vaccine as they share personal anecdotes, and the other brings together Clinton, Bush and Obama, who, standing side by side, address the American people.
“Soon the vaccine will be available to everyone,” says Bush at the beginning of the first ad, as the screen shows the faces of several American citizens.
It is followed by Obama, who affirms- “This vaccine means hope. It will protect you and those you love from this dangerous and deadly disease.
In addition, Clinton assures that he wants to go to work in person again, Obama confesses that he is looking forward to hugging Michelle’s mother and visiting her on her birthday again and, finally, Bush shows his enthusiasm for going one day to the stadium of the team of Texas Rangers football.
Carter, 96, does not appear in the video, but is heard saying, “I want to get vaccinated because I want this pandemic to end as soon as possible.”
The ad features images of former presidents and former first ladies receiving the vaccine and ends with a photo of Carter, smiling and holding his immunization record.
The second ad shows Bush, Clinton and Obama, standing together in an amphitheater of the Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia), where the remains of the soldiers killed in the US wars and to which the three went during the inauguration of Democrat Joe Biden as president on January 20.
Trump and former first lady Melania did not participate in the announcements, although both received the vaccine in January while they were still in the White House, which was not revealed until weeks after they left Washington.
On Wednesday, before the announcements were released, Trump released a statement to claim credit for the COVID-19 vaccine.
So far, 62.5 million people in the U.S. have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 32.9 who are already fully immunized, according to data released Wednesday by the government Centers. Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Yet some Americans are wary of the vaccine, even though skepticism is declining, according to a survey released this month by the Pew Center, which estimates that 69% of citizens want to get vaccinated versus 60% who said they are willing. to do it in November.
The US is the country in the world hardest hit by the pandemic with more than 529,000 deaths and 29.1 million cases, according to the independent count from Johns Hopkins University.
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