– I just do not want to take it. I’m not afraid of the virus, I’m more afraid of the syringe, says Dennis Himmelberger.
Spouse Darlene nods appreciatively. The two live in Schuykill County, there 69.2 percent of the population voted for Donald Trump at the presidential election last year.
The sun is shining and the smiles are loose with the couple, who have hung up both the American flag and a flag in support of Trump outside their home. In the idyllic surroundings there is little traffic. We are only interrupted by a random mountain hiker walking the scenic and popular Appalachian trail, which passes their house.
They justify their skepticism about the covid-19 vaccine as follows:
– I have heard too many horror stories about what is in it and everything. And you know, they say they can track you, says Darlene.
She is not alone in believing in the conspiracy theories that abound online.
Vaccine skeptics in rural areas
Although the United States is characterized by urbanization, about one-fifth of the population, 60 million Americans, live in rural areas. Now one shows study by US health authorities that these inhabitants can be vaccinated to a lesser extent.
According to the report, the large differences in vaccination access and coverage can hinder the process of ending the pandemic. Many NRK meetings in the area say that they do not want to take the vaccine because they fear that it is dangerous.
The Himmelberger couple say that they do not trust either the authorities or their doctor, who recommends that everyone over the age of 12 be vaccinated to prevent the spread and serious illness with covid-19.
They also do not believe in the official figures that show that above 600,000 Americans have lost their lives with covid-19 in the United States.
– That’s what they say. But I do not know if I believe it, because they tell everyone that they died of covid, whether it was covid or not, so that they can raise more money. I do not believe in that, Dennis explains.
At several shops in the areas around where the couple lives, there are signs on the doors stating that it is either forbidden to wear masks indoors or that you should not enter if you want to keep your distance.
Photo: Veronica Westhrin / NRK
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Struggling to reach the vaccine goal
Round Half of all Americans have now received a dose or more. But even though President Joe Biden has set himself the goal of having 70 percent of the adult population vaccinated by July 4, there is doubt as to whether it will happen.
The news agency AP recently reported that Biden probably will not reach its goal. Experts have also previously stated that it to Achieving herd immunity is unlikely to happen in the United States.
Nathaniel Herr teaches psychology at American University. He says that the reasons for the vaccine skepticism in the USA are complex.
– There is a strong tradition of individualism in the United States. You are taught from a young age that you have to take care of yourself and do your best in competition with others, says Herr.
He adds that it does not harmonize with a time when Americans are asked to come together and do as the authorities ask them to do.
Several reasons for vaccine skepticism
While two months ago 2 million doses of vaccines were given daily, the number has now dropped to a few hundred thousand. IN At the time of writing, 65 percent of Americans over the age of 18 have received at least one dose and the vaccine has been available to anyone over the age of 12 for a long time.
– There are different types of people in the US who for various reasons are skeptical of the vaccine. For African Americans, it is a history of medical abuse and experiments without consent. And it makes them feel that they may not think that the authorities or the medical community care about them, says Nathaniel Herr.
– On the other hand, you have, especially among white Americans, a lack of trust in the authorities for various reasons. Not really that different from African Americans, who also lack confidence, he explains, pointing out that many of them feel that the election winner of Donald Trump was robbed of them.
– Do not know if I believe in it
Dennis and Darlene Himmelberger belong to the latter category.
They believe Trump is the rightful winner of last year’s presidential election, even though they have the facts against them. The clear speech of the figures shows that Joe Biden is the rightful winner of the election in 2020.
– There is not a single possibility that Joe Biden won that election in a fair way. It just did not happen, says Dennis, and reaches out to the media and the country’s health authorities.
– You say that you do not believe in the media, but you also say that you think the authorities can track you and that parts from fetuses are used in the vaccine. Who told you that?
– Well, it’s everywhere in the news. It’s everywhere, he says.
– So you believe in the media that tells you that?
– Well, I do not know if I actually believe in it or not, but I do not take the chance, Dennis explains.
That he can prevent illness in himself and at the same time protect others by taking the vaccine does not change his position, he says.
– Is there anything that can convince you to take the vaccine?
– Nothing. Not even you.
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