Apparently, he’s “a communist” now…
Big Bird is facing backlash from anti-vaxers and conservatives after he and other Sesame Street residents received the Covid-19 vaccine.
Collaborating with CNN as part of Sesame Workshop’s Caring for Each Other initiative, the street hosted a vaccine-oriented town hall special called The ABCs of Covid Vaccines on Saturday, November 6.
Vaccinations for children between the ages of five and eleven are now underway in the US following the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the cohort.
According to the official Sesame description, the special was to feature “familiar faces from Sesame Street and experts from CNN and across the country” in order to “answer children’s questions about the Covid vaccine and staying healthy, and coping with big feelings as they continue to face unprecedented challenges in their young lives.”
In the special, muppet Rosita, who had just received her first dose of the vaccine, told the hosts: “My mommy and my papi said that it will help keep me, my friends, my neighbours, my abuela all healthy.”
One host, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, replied that “the more people who get [vaccinated], the better we’re going to be able to help stop the spread of Covid and keep everyone healthy.”
The doctor, alongside CNN’s Erica Hill, also explained to Big Bird how the vaccine defends the body against “Covid germs”.
Big Bird, who is supposed to be 6, later tweeted: “I got the COVID-19 vaccine today! My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy. Ms. @EricaRHill even said I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a little bird. I had no idea!”
Other residents of the street also weighed in, including Elmo, who is supposed to be 3 and would therefore be too young for the vaccine.
Elmo was so happy to talk to @DrSanjayGupta at the town hall today! Elmo learned that Elmo's friends can get the COVID-19 vaccine now, and soon Elmo can too!
— Elmo (@elmo) November 6, 2021
Super Grover may have many special superpowers, but he also knows when to ask a friend for help! Thank you @KizzyPhD for teaching us aaaaall about COVID-19 vaccines at the town hall today!
— Grover (@Grover) November 6, 2021
Well this stinks. Apparently, the COVID-19 vaccines won’t make you feel grouchy at all! That's what @KizzyPhD said at today's town hall, anyway. You might get a sore arm and feel tired, so at least there’s that.
— Oscar the Grouch (@OscarTheGrouch) November 6, 2021
Oh dear. Who's there?
— Bert (@bertsesame) November 6, 2021
Ernie, you've already told this one.
— Bert (@bertsesame) November 6, 2021
Fine. Orange who?
— Bert (@bertsesame) November 6, 2021
I stand corrected. That one’s actually not too bad.
— Bert (@bertsesame) November 6, 2021
The special and subsequent tweets began a surreal yet predictable push-back on social media from those against the vaccine.
While pro-vaxers praised the special for educating parents and reassuring kids, anti-vaxers – particularly in the US – accused it of being “government propaganda” (in the words of Texas Republican senator Ted Cruz) and more.
Arizona state Republican Senator Wendy Rogers added that “Big Bird is a communist.”
Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe said Big Bird was “twisted” for “brainwashing children.”
Then you had Tennessee Republican congressional candidate Robby Starbuck, who kept it light by writing: “*7 days later* Big blood clot Bird is served!” Nice.
As many pointed out though, it’s not the first time the residents of Sesame Street have been introduced to vaccination. Big Bird himself learned all about the measles jab on screen back in 1972.
Big Bird may have just received his COVID-19 vaccine, but as many of you pointed out, he was learning how to keep himself and his neighbors healthy long before that! Watch as Dr. Marzullo teaches @BigBird about vaccines and administers his measles shot back in 1972. pic.twitter.com/voDs8x5vvt
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) November 8, 2021
Anyway Big Bird, don’t worry too much about the hate: you’ve still got friends in high places…
Good on ya, @BigBird. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep your whole neighborhood safe.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 8, 2021
