From the very onset of the coronavirus pandemic, there were Americans clamoring loudly about the possibility of this crisis being exploited for the purposes of control. That we could find ourselves in some sort of 1984-ish situation within a matter of decades, if we weren’t careful.
But no. Those who begged for caution said it was all about “following the science”, and they rebuked any and all attempts to suggest that there was some political element to the way Americans have been experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new poll, however, shows that the left side of the aisle has a very peculiar shared belief, and it certainly draws a line down the center of the nation in a way that is equal parts alarming and unsurprising.
The survey listed a series of potential coronavirus-related actions, gauging support for a series of penalties, including fines, stay at home orders, and designated facilities for the unvaccinated and critics of the vaccines.
“Would you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose a proposal to limit the spread of the coronavirus by having federal or state governments require that citizens remain confined to their homes at all times, except for emergencies, if they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine?” the survey asked.
While 61 percent, overall, reject that scenario, the survey found 59 percent of Democrats favor the government requiring unvaccinated individuals to stay at home “at all times” with exceptions only for emergencies. Of those, 35 percent of Democrats “strongly” favor that proposal. Another 55 percent of Democrats said they favor the government fining unvaccinated Americans, while 45 percent said they would favor a proposal to limit the spread of the coronavirus “by having federal or state governments require that citizens temporarily live in designated facilities or locations if they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine.”
And there was more!
Respondents were also asked if they support or oppose a proposal for federal or state governments “to fine or imprison individuals who publicly question the efficacy of the existing COVID-19 vaccines on social media, television, radio, or in online or digital publications.” While the vast majority of Americans, 67 percent, said they opposed such a proposal, Democrats remain split, with 48 percent supporting fining vaccine critics and 46 opposing.
Democrats are also split on the idea of the government requiring unvaccinated individuals to use a smart phone app or “wearable device” that tracks unvaccinated people to “ensure that they are quarantined or socially distancing from others,” 47 percent favoring and 46 percent opposing.
Those who warned us about the “control” aspect of the pandemic are having the last laugh.
