DAVE ROSS

Ross: Finally everybody agrees on what our COVID response should be

Dec 22, 2021, 6:47 AM | Updated: 10:13 am

Biden COVID response, Giroir...

President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 response and vaccinations, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

I watched President Biden’s speech this week on Fox News, because I knew they wouldn’t sugarcoat it. I knew they would be the most likely to highlight his gaffes – like when he said PPP instead of PPE, and that 40 Americans were unvaccinated instead of 40% of Americans.

But when anchor Anita Vogel came on – no mention of the gaffes! Instead she , who said he thought the speech was a C-minus, but then went on to echo Biden’s talking points.

“He certainly had some important messages,” Giroir admitted. “I do want to emphasize that whether you’ve been infected before or had two vaccines, with omicron, it is very important to be vaccinated.”

His main criticism was about the 500 million free tests Biden announced, which he says won’t be nearly enough. But that was the main criticism from Trump’s COVID guy – that Biden didn’t go far enough! It almost sounded like he wanted another shutdown.

“There’s nothing really new here except a lack of urgency, a lack of aggressiveness, and I think still villainizing people who are unvaccinated,” he said.

I would probably use “vilifying”… and he’s right about that. Biden did say vaccination is a “patriotic duty.” But the bigger story is the fundamental change in the approach to COVID.

Unlike Europe, there will be no federal shutdown. We are going to live with it.

“Schools can stay open,” Biden said. “Children are as safe in school as they are any place.”

He went on to describe how the vaccine is so effective at keeping people alive, another lockdown would only be protecting people who have chosen not to protect themselves.

Therefore, the country is moving on. And even if you don’t think vaccination is your patriotic duty – at least make sure you know the way to the nearest hospital.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on Xվ Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on Xվ Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • to Xվ Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

Image: From left, Chris Sullivan, Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien stand together in the Xվ Newsradi...

MyNorthwest Staff

Dave and Colleen’s final ‘SMN:’ Xվ colleagues, politicians say their goodbyes

"Seattle's Morning News" on Xվ Newsradio will soon have a new sound. On Thursday, Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien will host their last show together after a decade of co-hosting.

5 months ago

Classical literature on bookshelves. (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)...

Dave Ross

Dave Ross as you’ve never heard him before: ‘I like fat books and I can’t deny’

"This song, inspired by one of my first interviews when I started my talk show, which was Sir Mix-A-Lot," Dave Ross said.

5 months ago

national debt...

Dave Ross

‘Don’t cut a cent:’ Dave Ross on why the national debt never gets under control

The national debt now exceeds $36 trillion, and every president says it has to be under control. And yet, it never is.

5 months ago

voters hormone...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters weren’t just voting for change, they were voting for a hormone

The more I read the post-election analysis, the more I’m convinced voters weren’t just voting for a change – they were voting for a hormone.

6 months ago

ross o'brien - Seattle's Morning News...

Frank Sumrall

Dave Ross, Colleen O’Brien departing after co-hosting ‘Seattle’s Morning News’ for a decade

Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien, the co-hosts of "Seattle's Morning News" on Xվ Newsradio are both leaving the show.

6 months ago

election day...

Dave Ross

Dave Ross: Election Day and Decision Day are two separate things

Tomorrow is Election Day – that’s what the calendar says. But there are two problems with the term "Election Day."

6 months ago

Ross: Finally everybody agrees on what our COVID response should be