Sesame Street’s Big Bird character decided to get vaccinated to protect himself from COVID-19 — and it caused a massive flap among vaccine skeptics like Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
Cruz said the whole scene was government “propaganda” — a pretty big word for Sesame Street!
One-time head of the Office of Government Ethics Walter Shaub reminded Cruz on Twitter: “You are vaccinated.”
Not a peep from Cruz about that.
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! — Big Bird (@BigBird) November 6, 2021
Talk about cancel culture. Critics appeared ready to roast the bird for Thanksgiving dinner.
It all started when Big Bird, who according to Sesame Street lore is eternally 6 years old, tweeted on Saturday about going under the needle now that kids can get vaccinated. He said his “wing is feeling a little sore.” But “it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy,” he added.
The Sesame Street star said he was surprised to learn that he has been “getting vaccines since I was a little bird” — kind of like American kids!
Right-wingers offered up some cuckoo responses, like Fox News’ Lisa Boothe’s claim that kids aren’t at risk from COVID-19.
Brainwashing children who are not at risk from COVID. Twisted. https://t.co/KPjdHJjpUy — Lisa Boothe (@LisaMarieBoothe) November 6, 2021
This kind of propaganda is actually evil.
Your children are not statistically at risk, and should not be pressured into a brand new treatment.
Do Not Comply! https://t.co/cnS1GAqowi — Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) November 6, 2021
We are finished. We live in an insane society now. I don’t see how we come back from this unscathed. https://t.co/N6VzFBPnM6 — BigDogDad 🇺🇸 (@BigDogDad2) November 6, 2021
This is such a f*cking lie. Big Bird is just a costume, it wouldnt need a vaccine. This account is fake https://t.co/dLEu2BtyXu — Otter (@SniffinGlue22) November 6, 2021
Fuck you government funded big bird https://t.co/oX2rO28MYM — TheM0dAlice (@TheM0dalice) November 6, 2021
Big Bird has been active in child immunization campaigns stretching back to the 1970s and frequently advocates for healthy choices through his performance on Sesame Street. Clearly, he ruffled some feathers.
Big Bird has supported public health since the 1970’s, bird brain. pic.twitter.com/nTkUH4mTt7 — JJDiane ❤️🏳️🌈🗽 (@JJDianeM) November 7, 2021
BigBird’s been getting vaccinated since 1972, but you’re just now squalling about it.
You might learn quicker if you had been watching regularly. https://t.co/SyeJVQhJSV — KellieMc (@SaidItOwnIt) November 7, 2021
Strychnine_x on November 7th, 2021 at 11:59 UTC »
They also have a character that has aids. Sesame Street talks to kids about things that are currently actually happening in the world. Whether we like it or not kids are entering the conversion and I believe the conversation should be had.
freeski919 on November 7th, 2021 at 11:16 UTC »
Sesame Street has been on TV for over 50 years. You would think that by now, conservatives would have realized it is opposite to their beliefs. It teaches inclusion, diversity, empathy, and fact-based learning.
sonofabutch on November 7th, 2021 at 10:52 UTC »
I wonder if they also were upset when Big Bird got the measles vaccine in 1972.