Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Priest Rips GOP Sen. For Chastising People Who Trust Vaccines Over 'Natural Immunity' God Gave Us

Priest Rips GOP Sen. For Chastising People Who Trust Vaccines Over 'Natural Immunity' God Gave Us
Ting Shen/Pool/Getty Images

James Martin, a Jesuit priest and the editor-at-large of America Magazine, criticized Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson after Johnson chastised people who trust COVID-19 vaccines over the "natural immunity" he attributes to God.

During an appearance on a conservative radio program, Johnson downplayed the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and insisted that natural immunity poses a more valuable hinderance to the virus.


You can hear what Johnson said in the audio below.

Johnson said:

“Why do we assume that the body’s natural immune system isn’t the marvel that it is? Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease?”
“There are certain things we have to do, but we have just made so many assumptions, and it’s all pointed toward everybody getting a vaccine.”

Johnson's remarks prompted a response from Martin, who tore into the Senator with the following remark:

"So much for God creating us with brains."

Martin's response only further underscore that Johnson's claims are incorrect.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long debunked claims natural immunity is more beneficial than the vaccine.

In fact, a study published in August showed "unvaccinated individuals are more than twice as likely to be reinfected with COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated after initially contracting the virus."

It also pointed out COVID-19 vaccines "offer better protection than natural immunity alone and that vaccines, even after prior infection, help prevent reinfections."

The agency continues to stress the importance of getting the vaccine as the best line of defense against COVID-19.

"COVID-19 vaccines remain safe and effective. They prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
"Additionally, even among the uncommon cases of COVID-19 among the fully or partially vaccinated vaccines make people more likely to have a milder and shorter illness compared to those who are unvaccinated. CDC continues to recommend everyone 12 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19."

Many have praised Martin for his response and joined him in his criticisms of Johnson


Johnson is nonetheless far from the only prominent Republican to spread misinformation about COVID-19 immunity.

During an appearance at a Turning Point USA conference last month, former Alaska Republican Governor Sarah Palin insisted she would get a COVID-19 vaccine "over my dead body," telling the crowd of conservatives she doesn't need to be inoculated because she previously had the virus.

Palin, who has often downplayed the pandemic's severity since it began and earned applause from conservative organizations in the process, pushed the "herd immunity" argument in her remarks to host Charlie Kirk. She has previously, ironically, promoted mask-wearing, particularly after she herself caught COVID-19 last spring.

More from Trending

Nathan Lane
Phillip Faraone/WireImage

Nathan Lane Reveals Frustrating Reason 'Space Jam' Director Rejected Him For Role

Actor Nathan Lane, on publicity tour for a new TV series, discussed old films and old chances in an interview with Vanity Fair recently.

The actor—a Tony, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and Laurence Olivier award winner—talked about how all the awards in the world did not land him a role in the iconic movie Space Jam back in 1997.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
CNN

Trump Instantly Roasted After Announcing Awkward Name Of New Military Fighter Jet

Republican President Donald Trump proudly announced the new name honoring him for the military's new fighter jet, and the set-up for a joke couldn't have been more perfect.

“The generals picked the title," claimed the 47th President, adding, "and it’s a beautiful number, F-47.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Pete Hegseth
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Viral Post Explains Why It's So Alarming That GOP Is Using Signal App For Top Secret Chats

Amid revelations that Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was invited into a Signal chat with high-level Trump administration officials, particularly Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, discussing military strategy surrounding their war strikes in Yemen, Threads user jeanie.online went viral after stressing why Trump administration officials are really using the app to discuss secret matters.

It's worth noting that Signal messages can be set and managed to disappear, as the team behind the app acknowledges on the Signal website:

Keep ReadingShow less
Brian Kilmeade
Fox News

Fox News Host Sparks Outrage With Disturbing Stance On Immigrant Deportations

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade enraged social media users after he said that undocumented immigrants "don't deserve" due process before getting deported.

On Monday's broadcast of the right-wing cable news channel Fox & Friends, Kilmeade stated that he didn't think it was "practical to do due process on 8 million people."

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Janet Mills
Win McNamee/Getty Images (left and right)

Trump Dragged After Demanding 'Full-Throated Apology' From Maine's Governor

President Donald Trump was called out after reviving his feud with Maine Governor Janet Mills, demanding a "full-throated apology" after she pushed back last month against his executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.

Last month, while discussing the order he'd signed on the issue, Trump threatened Mills after she said she would only comply with "state and federal laws," saying he'd deny federal funding for her state:

Keep ReadingShow less