In the last mile of our battle against COVID, the enemy is us

The nation will soon be facing a full-blown COVID crisis that cannot be blamed on scientific failures or Chinese secrecy about potential lab leaks. This is the ultimate expression of Pogo’s long-ago dictum from the comic strips: “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Up to now, the Biden administration has tried to use the gentle arts of persuasion to spur vaccination. But it is time for the White House to recognize that more aggressive tactics are needed to permanently tame the pandemic.

For starters, the FDA should move more aggressively to grant permanent authorization for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which up to now have been authorized under “emergency” provisions. Yes, proper science takes time. But the emergency label is one of the factors that is commonly cited by those who are resisting the jabs.  

The time has also come for the administration to publicly support vaccine mandates in the workplace, at sporting events and in schools and colleges. Such vaccination requirements are legal as long as those with relevant disabilities and religious objections are exempt. 

A recent poll, jointly sponsored by Politico and Harvard, found that by 53 percent to 46 percent Americans favor businesses requiring their employees to be vaccinated before they can return to work. 

*** This article has been archived for your research. The original version from Roll Call can be found here ***