Big Bird condemned by Texas’ Ted Cruz for advocating Covid vaccines for children
Big Bird, the beloved Sesame Street character, sharing he had been vaccinated against Covid-19, ruffling the feathers of some conservatives including Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
‘I got the Covid-19 vaccine today!’ Big Bird said on Twitter on Saturday.
‘My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy.
‘Ms @EricaRHill even said I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a little bird. I had no idea!’
Big Bird has been a fixture of children’s television since 1969 but is eternally six-years-old.
He’s also no stranger to receiving his vaccinations, according to a video shared by Muppet Wiki on Twitter, that shows the giant yellow bird enthusiastically asking questions about the measles vaccine and receiving his shot in 1972.
Big Bird’s announcement comes on the tail of the Pfizer vaccine gaining approval for five- to 11-year-olds. It has stirred ire in some conservative politicians, who have in some ways tried to cancel the benevolent eight-foot-tall canary.
‘Government propaganda … for your 5 year old!’ Republican Senator Cruz responded to Big Bird’s tweets, prompting other right-wing voices to join the tirade.
Steve Cortes, a host on the conservative Newsmax network, agreed with Cruz, saying Sesame Street was promoting P – for propaganda.
‘This kind of propaganda is actually evil. Your children are not statistically at risk, and should not be pressured into a brand new treatment. Do Not Comply!’ Cortes tweeted in response to Big Bird.
Over 750,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus.
Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe added fuel to the fire, saying that ‘brainwashing children who are not at risk from Covid’ was ‘twisted’.
Children are at risk for contracting the coronavirus, though seemingly less so than adults.
In October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said 66 children between five and 11 years old have died from the virus in the US. Children can also infect others, especially those who are unvaccinated, and infections within that age range are rising and now account for 10.6% of new Covid-19 cases, according to the CDC.
Covid-19 was also the sixth leading cause of death among kids aged five to 14 in September. The same was true in August, according to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation Health System Tracker.
The popular children’s television show has long offered coronavirus advice, and using its beloved Big Bird to encourage parents to protect their children appears to come in good faith.
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