Politicization of Covid-19

SAMYUKTHA SRIDHAR | OCT. 24, 2021 | FEATURES

It has been over a year since the coronavirus outbreak, and while many expected to enter back into their normal pre-COVID-19 lives by now, the pandemic seems to be getting worse as the number of cases increases. The effects of COVID-19 range from the rise in mental health disorders to financial crises, and even though it has been over a year, these effects still prevail. 

Over four million people have lost their lives and loved ones to the virus, and while public health actions and safety guidelines such as social distancing and quarantining have been implemented to reduce the spread of the virus, these precautions drastically changed people’s livelihoods for the worse. Many have found themselves trapped in an isolated box filled with anxiety and stress, with no escape. Finding a solution to eradicate the virus has become extremely difficult, not because scientists struggle to find a vaccine, but because people remain hesitant in setting aside their political beliefs to find a solution that benefits all. 

According to The New York Times, over 600,000 Americans have died as of Sep.16 from COVID-19, and the death toll continues to mount. However, the lack of national unity has brought the country  further away from a solution. Rather than viewing the pandemic as a wake-up call for unity and an emphasis on public health, a wide division has been drawn by differing political views. 

From the beginning, the virus was used by leaders to emphasize their power and impose their influence upon the masses. Various leaders ridiculed the virus and failed to take notice of the possible damage the virus could cause. Former President Donald Trump referred to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus” and refused to wear a mask while holding large in-person campaigns for the 2020 presidential election. This prompted unjust behaviors toward Asians in the United States, while belittling and ignoring the effects of the COVID-19. The differences in behavior and perception regarding the virus eventually widened the gap between the two main political parties. 

A 2021 Pew Research Center study between Democrats and Republicans highlighted the deep divisions between Democrats and Republicans, with 59% of Democrats calling the virus a major threat to public health while 33% of Republicans calling the virus a major threat. Likewise, a separate tracking poll revealed supporting results, with 79% of Democrats and 39% of Republicans expressing fear about the virus affecting their neighborhood. Many of the Republicans who voted against the seriousness of the virus were Trump supporters, proving how those with power can skew the beliefs of their audience. 

COVID-19 has both catalyzed and worsened political divisions across the globe. 

“I believe politics has played a major role in people’s response to COVID-19,” said Dharshni Kanthikumar, a freshman at Stanton College Preparatory School. “When people view the pandemic as a political issue rather than a public health issue, it becomes even more difficult to find a middle ground where both parties can walk in agreement, especially since each party has such different views regarding the seriousness of the pandemic, and it’s mainly due to what the leaders of each party endorses.”

The virus has found itself in every corner of the world and has also managed to retrieve a spot on many political party platforms. The pandemic struck during the 2020 United States presidential election and changed many people’s political narratives. The crisis helped bring many issues to the forefront, such as racial inequality, unemployment, and public health, and prompted many citizens to evaluate the characteristics they need in their next president.  

Many media outlets such as FOX News and CNN  continue to emphasize their partisan stance on COVID-19 while ignoring health information enforced by neutral and professional sources whose findings are based on scientific facts rather than political beliefs. Behavioral responses to COVID-19 have been greatly impacted by the media and the information they choose to cover, strengthening the link between one's actions and what information they are exposed to. 

“When people listen to media coverage that focuses on one perspective, whether it be too far left or too far right, it can really determine the way their audience responds to the situation, ” said  Shalini Mehra, a junior at Stanton. “I do my best to receive information solely based on facts and not bias, but in this day and age, it’s hard to find media coverage that doesn't implement their own political views.”

Many live in uncertainty as to whether a solution can be found to this ongoing issue. 

“I personally do not believe it is possible to get out of this pandemic without putting aside differing political beliefs,” said Stanton freshman class president Kaylee Ngyuen. “One of the main reasons why COVID-19 has gotten worse even with the discovery of a vaccine is because people are using the virus as a way to justify their political views and assert superiority over opposing parties. Without setting aside biases and following scientifically proven guidelines, it is very unlikely we will come out of this pandemic anytime soon.”

Even with the death toll rising from COVID-19, people remain unwilling to view the issue from a public health lens rather than a political one. The widening gap between the political parties along with the active spread of biased information, has led to debate regarding the seriousness of the pandemic and how it should be handled. The lack of unity has placed the country in a stagnant place in finding a solution to eradicate the virus, giving the virus the mobility to continue plaguing the country.