360 gives you a variety of perspectives on today's top stories and debates.What's HappeningA number of prominent Republican legislators and conservative media figures made strong statements supporting the vaccination against COVID-19 over the last week.These shots must be in everyone's arms as quickly as possible, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell during Tuesday's press conference. Steve Scalise (House Minority Whip), is the No. After receiving his first dose, Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, stressed the importance of the vaccines. Many GOP governors urged their citizens to get vaccinated, including Florida's Ron DeSantis. He has vocally opposed strict COVID mitigation strategies like business closures and mask mandates.Conservative media echoed the GOP legislators' trend. Fox News' Sean Hannity, Fox News' commentator, stated that he believes in the science and benefits of vaccination. However, his colleagues were more direct. Fox News also ran a PSA encouraging their viewers to get the vaccine. Newsmax's CEO, a conservative network that is growing fast, wrote an editorial applauding President Biden's vaccination rollout.These statements are made at a time in which the U.S. faces an increase in COVID-19-related deaths almost entirely among the unvaccinated. According to polls, Republicans are less likely than Democrats to get vaccinated. The red states that have low vaccination rates are the ones with the highest incidence of current infections.Why debate?It is too early to predict if this sudden shift in tone will convince skeptical conservatives. The shift in tone is notable after months of silence from many mainstream conservatives on the subject, and far-right voices promoting anti-vaccine conspiracy theories without any scientific basis.Continue the storySimple explanation is that high-profile figures from the right feel that a stronger pro-vaccine message is necessary to save lives when faced with the harsh reality of new infections in conservative areas of the country. Some conservatives also deny that there is a shift in opinion, pointing out that high-profile Republicans have long supported vaccines.More critical have left-leaning pundits. They claim that the sudden surge in Republican endorsements of vaccines is mainly a political strategy to shift blame. The Delta variant is rampant in areas where there are not enough vaccines. Media Matters is a progressive non-profit that monitors right-wing media. It argues that Fox News should not be given credit for pro-vaccine statements when it continues to air antivaccine segments from its stars like Tucker Carlson.PerspectivesSome Republicans are to be commended for supporting the vaccines throughout their existenceSome conservatives have been vocal supporters of vaccinations for years. A few conservatives have long been vocal supporters of vaccinations.The GOP does not want its voters to blame the GOP for the recent spike in infections.Evidently, Republicans are beginning to see that a Republican-driven reinition of the pandemic could be detrimental for Republicans.Republicans put politics aside in order to save livesToo many people are trying to politicize the issue. This is a big mistake. The vaccines that President Donald Trump has developed are completely safe. Editorial, NY PostThe right-wing media bubble was punctured by the new wave of infectionsIt is my opinion that Republicans are convinced that with all the rhetoric and political posturing, it really isn't that important, and that they can just go along with a hands-off approach. Guess what? But, we keep on learning the same lesson over again, don't you think? COVID may be over. We may be done with COVIDs. Chris Hayes MSNBCIt doesn't matter what reasoning is used if it results in lives being savedSome Americans find it a bit shocking to hear Ron DeSantis, Mitch McConnell and Sean Hannity suddenly and seemingly unison make full-throated pleas for Americans to get vaccinated. Instead, we welcome these prominent Republicans as well as conservative commentators to pro-vax camp with sincere hope that their voices will be heard and that millions are vaccinated.The GOP was being hurt by negative media coverageThe heart of the Republican elite has not been redeemed. If the press blames Republicans for the ongoing pandemic, it's much harder to place the blame on Biden. It's likely that Republicans are trying to get the media off their trail. This is not an effort to make it easier for Republicans to blame Biden.Mainstream Republicans are determined to combat fringe conspiracists within the partyThe politics surrounding vaccination have changed. Democratic strategists see a common thread in conspiracy theories embraced and promoted by the GOP. These include misinformation regarding vaccines and Trump's lie about the election.While GOP leaders are trying to spread the word about the vaccine, the message is not being heard.There are glimmers of responsible behavior in elite Republicans, but they are being overshadowed by fear, resentment, and conspiracy theories that literally cost lives every day.Fox News continues to promote vaccine resistance through its coverageThere are a few out-of-context soundbites from hosts (including Carlson) that can be taken as endorsements of vaccines. Although these soundbites are not representative of Fox's wider coverage of the pandemic, they do provide an opportunity for Fox spokespersons to counter claims that it has been negligent in its coverage.Do you have a topic in mind that The 360 should cover? Send your suggestions to the360@yahoonews.com.Photo illustration by Yahoo News. Photos: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images, Getty Images
