CNN’s Don Lemon ridiculed Americans who choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on his program Monday evening, saying they should not be permitted to participate in society due to their “freedom” logic.
“I’m sure a lot of people are not going to agree with this, but don’t get the vaccine, you can’t go to the supermarket,” Lemon said. “Don’t have the vaccine, can’t go to the ball game. Don’t have a vaccine, can’t go to work. You don’t have a vaccine, can’t come here. No shirt, no shoes, no service.”
He continued:
I think that’s where we should be right now because we continue to waste our breath on people who are just not going to change. You know, circular logic, they keep going back and saying, “Well, it’s my freedom.” “It’s whatever.” “‘I’m free.” Well, your kid’s not free to give other kids meningitis in schools. Got to take a vaccine to do that. You got to take vaccines in order to be employed. So what is the big deal? And all these people are saying, “I don’t want to put this stuff in my body” — they’re out drinking on the weekend and putting other substances in their bodies that’s way worse for them than a vaccine. So, come on. Let’s be real.
Lemon’s remarks come after an increasing number of universities and other non-educational entities have mandated COVID-19 vaccines for people. California, New York City, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs announced that taxpayer-funded employees will need to receive shots. Veteran Affairs is reportedly the first federal government agency to make the move.
In response to Lemon’s controversial remarks, his CNN colleague Chris Cuomo said that “Trumpers” who are “just as toxic as the virus” are the sort of people who are choosing not to get vaccinated.
