In the US today, there are quite a lot of problems at hand. One very overlooked one, that most of the population isn’t aware of, is large companies and the government’s use of threats, bribery, and propaganda to get people vaccinated against Covid-19. Although people want others to get the vaccine, can these methods be justified? 

Some people would argue that these advertisements that are airing on everybody’s TV screens aren’t propaganda, but I disagree. Propaganda is defined as biased information used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view, and with these advertisements, that is exactly what is happening. For example, FedEx aired a commercial not too long ago that depicted weddings and rollercoasters moving backward as a FedEx delivery driver rushes to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine so “life can move forward.” This ad did especially well in persuading republicans and libertarian audiences. However, the problem I have with this commercial is the fact that it tries to convince people that they have to get the vaccine or else nobody will be able to get back to doing what they loved, which is simply not true. 

Another way large corporations and the Government try to convince people, who haven’t gotten the vaccine is by bribery or incentives. One example of this is happening right in Oregon, according to nga.org, “Oregonians 18 and older will have the chance to win $1 million or one of 36 prizes of $10,000… Oregonians aged 12 to 17 will have a chance to win one of five $100,000 Oregon College Savings Plan scholarships. All Oregonians who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the draw date will be entered to win.” This quote shows just how manipulative bribery can be, not only is this not informing people on the vaccine, but the whole purpose is to get people to take it just for money, not because they think it will be good for them and their health. Other ways companies are contributing to this is around the US, Dunkin Donuts is offering free donuts to anyone who has taken the vaccine, Budweiser is offering free rounds of beer, Detroit’s Oak & Reel is offering 50% off to dine-in customers with vaccination cards, metrocard is offering 7 day unlimited metrocard, Contra Costa health services are offering 100 dollars to anyone who convinces someone else to get the vaccine, and many more. Although these things don’t seem like they could persuade someone to change their outlook on getting the vaccine and to persuade people by any means. 

Lastly, companies and the government are using threats as a way of convincing. Companies like CVS Health, Chevron and United Airlines, and many more companies have already been firing people from their jobs if they refuse the vaccine. President Joe Biden has already ordered the expansive rules, mandating that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or be tested for the virus weekly. This new mandate will affect over 80 million Americans. Not only does this not seem fair, but trying to convince people by instilling fear of them losing their jobs if they do not comply is not the ethical choice. 

Trying to sway someone’s opinion about the vaccine by installing fear, bribing them, and trying to convince them with fake facts can not be justified. Instead, companies and the government should give out the facts and statistics about the vaccine and let people come to their own conclusions whether or not they agree with them.