Red States, Blue States, and Vaccinations

Red States and counties –– ones in which Republicans tend to win elections –– have significantly lower percentages of residents who have been vaccinated and significantly higher rates of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from Covid than Blue states (ones where Democrats tend to win elections). This distinct correlation is caused by the tendency among Republicans and their media allies to denigrate the efficacy of vaccines and undermine efforts by the Biden administration to fight the virus. The desire of these people to undercut the Biden administration is stronger than any concern they have for the public good or even for members of their own constituency. Their dominant characteristic is destructiveness to the point of nihilism.