With the news out Monday that the Omicron sub-variant B.A.2 is causing a new surge in COVID cases throughout the country and with the announcement that Philadelphia will be reinstating their indoor mask mandate, CBS Evening News used this as an opportunity to hype a second COVID booster shot and whine that Americans care more about rising prices and the struggling economy than they do about the new variant.
Anchor Norah O’Donnell declared at the top of the segment that “the fight against the pandemic is far from over.” After that declaration, she turned to correspondent Meg Oliver to give her report.
“Trying to beat back a possible new COVID surge, Philadelphia announced it will bring back indoor mask requirements in public spaces effective a week from today,” Oliver reported, adding that the new B.A.2 variant now accounts for “more than 72 percent of new COVID cases” which is “up nearly 10 percent from a week ago.”
CBS's Meg Oliver pushes a second COVID booster on viewers and laments the fact that Americans are more concerned with skyrocketing inflation than COVID. pic.twitter.com/GLGIxu3IVm
— Kevin Tober (@KevinTober94) April 11, 2022
She then turned to the second COVID booster shot which is now being pushed by various health officials. “Just 70 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated. The top health officials encourage boosters,” Oliver bemoaned, surely wishing it was one-hundred percent of Americans. She then aired a clip of an interview with Dr. Ashish Jha from CBS Mornings:
The question now has come up in the last couple of weeks, what about that second booster? Very good evidence from Israel that people over sixty should get a booster. I think that part’s pretty clear.
Agreeing with Jha, Oliver announced: “especially since some studies say B.A.2 is more contagious than Omicron.” Adding that “some health experts say now is the time to act.”
Ending her report, she lamented how “a new CBS poll shows COVID doesn't even rank among the top five most pressing issues for Americans. They're more concerned about the economy and inflation” Oliver said with disappointment.
Meg Oliver is a well-paid correspondent for CBS News, she has the luxury to sneer at middle-class Americans for being more concerned with the sagging economy and sky-high inflation because she can afford the price increases at the grocery store and the gas pump.
Most Americans can’t afford to pay more and believe that’s a bigger threat than a virus that’s been around for two years now.
This biased segment on CBS Evening News was made possible thanks to the endorsement of TD Ameritrade, and Prevagen. Their information is linked.
To read the transcript of this segment click “expand”:
CBS Evening News
4/11/2022
6:38:38 p.m. EasternNORAH O’DONNELL: Back here at home, the fight against the pandemic is far from over. New cases of COVID-19 are once again on the rise now that the Omicron sub-variant B.A.2 is the dominant strain. We get more from CBS’s Meg Oliver.
MEG OLIVER: Trying to beat back a possible new COVID surge, Philadelphia announced it will bring back indoor mask requirements in public spaces effective a week from today.
DOCTOR CHERYL BETTIGOLE: I wish the pandemic was over just as much as any of you. But I am very worried about our vulnerable neighbors and loved ones.
OLIVER: Spring has sprung with the bounce of B.A.2, now accounting for more than 72 percent of new COVID cases, up nearly 10 percent from a week ago. For now, hospitalizations and deaths are on the decline.
DOCTOR DELINE GOUNDER: I am concerned that B.A.2 could drive another surge in hospitalizations in parts of the country where vaccination rates are so low, especially among the elderly.
OLIVER: Just 70 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated. The top health officials encourage boosters. A preliminary CDC report finds that their effectiveness is about 60 percent after three months.
DOCTOR ASHISH JHA: The question now has come up in the last couple of weeks, what about that second booster? Very good evidence from Israel that people over sixty should get a booster. I think that part’s pretty clear.
OLIVER: Especially since some studies say B.A.2 is more contagious than Omicron, with people like New York City Mayor Eric Adams already isolating after testing positive for Coronavirus, some health experts say now is the time to act.
Starting today students at Columbia University in New York City were required to start wearing masks again in class. Despite rising cases of B.A.2 here in New York City, a new CBS poll shows COVID doesn't even rank among the top five most pressing issues for Americans. They're more concerned about the economy and inflation.
