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Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and their respective former first ladies are part of a newly released ad campaign urging Americans to get the coronavirus vaccine when it is their turn, a push that is aimed squarely at combating vaccine skepticism.

There are two ads in the campaign: a minute-long, more personal spot that shows the four former presidents and former first ladies receiving their vaccines, and another that features Clinton, Bush and Obama standing together to urge Americans to step up and get vaccinated, CNN reported.

The ads are being released at a critical time in the fight against the coronavirus and one year after the outbreak was first declared a pandemic.

With vaccines becoming more widely available in cities and states across the country, those in charge of getting vaccines in the arms of Americans are eager to use the influence of people such as the former presidents to push people to get their shots. Vaccine hesitancy remains an issue, even as the number of people hesitant to get the vaccine has been dropping rapidly.

The longer spot begins with Bush touting that Covid vaccines will "soon be available to everyone," before Obama says that the vaccine means "hope" that it "will protect you and those you love from this dangerous and deadly disease."

The ad then turns to the presidents describing what they have missed during the pandemic and why they want to be vaccinated. Clinton says he wants to "go back to work" and to "be able to move around." Obama says he misses visiting his mother-in-law and he wants to "hug her and see her on her birthday." And Bush says he is "really looking forward to going to Opening Day in Texas Rangers Stadium with the full stadium."

RELATED: Former Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton volunteer to get coronavirus vaccine publicly to prove it's safe

Carter does not speak on camera, but the 96-year-old President says during the spot that he is getting vaccinated "because we want this pandemic to end as soon as possible."

The ad ends with all four former presidents urging Americans to get the vaccine as images of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Barack and Michelle Obama, George and Laura Bush and Bill and Hillary Clinton all getting their vaccines are shown.

"So, we urge you to get vaccinated when it is available to you," Obama says.

"Roll up your sleeve and do you part," Bush says.

"This is our shot," Clinton says.

According to CNN data, about 93.7 million vaccine doses have been administered in the United States, with the Food and Drug Administration issuing emergency use authorizations for three vaccines: The two-shot Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson one.

The coronavirus has infected over 29 million people in the United States, killing over 529,000 Americans. The death toll worldwide has reached roughly 2.6 million.

The second spot features Clinton, Bush and Obama standing together at Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. The three were there on January 20 for a ceremony during President Joe Biden's inauguration.

The ad is framed like an address by the three former presidents to the American people, with Bush beginning the ad by saying, "Our fellow Americans," before Clinton says, "Right now, the Covid-19 vaccines are available to millions of Americans" and Obama adds, "And soon they will be available to everyone."

"The science is clear, these vaccines will protect you and those you love from this dangerous and deadly disease," Bush says. "So, we urge you to get vaccinated when it is available to you."

"That's the first step to ending the pandemic and moving our country forward," Obama says. "It's up to you."

The ads are part of a collaboration between the Covid Collaborative project and the Ad Council, a nonprofit organization the produces and promotes public service announcements. The council said the project with the four former presidents and first ladies began in December 2020 and are being released on Thursday because vaccines are becoming more widely available.

RELATED: Former Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton honor Biden in video

"In this pandemic, we need every American to help so that all Americans can recover," said former Republican Gov. Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho and former Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, the co-Chairs of the COVID Collaborative. "These former Presidents and First Ladies have come together to show that each of us, regardless of political party, has a stake in beating this virus."

In statements provided to CNN, each former president urged Americans to get vaccinated.

"Over the past year, the pandemic has taken an immeasurable toll on families all across the country and upended everyone's lives," Obama said, noting he and Michelle got vaccinated "because we know it's the best way to get the country back up and running again."

Bush said he and Laura "are grateful for the dedicated scientists and researchers who enabled safe and effective vaccines to be developed so quickly" and urged Americans to get the vaccine.

RELATED: 'Banana republic': Former presidents, current lawmakers react in shock after mob breaks into Capitol

Clinton said that America "has always been at its best when we are looking out for one another and pulling together in common cause," adding that he and Hillary believe the vaccines will "bring us all one step closer to ending this pandemic."

And Carter said he and Rosalynn got the vaccine so they could "get back to church, see our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and eventually be active in our community again."

"I encourage everyone to get a vaccine when it's their turn," he added.

The Biden administration has made getting Americans vaccinated central to both its fight against the coronavirus and its messaging around the success of the President's first 100 days in office. Biden made a pledge early in his administration to get 100 million shots in arms within his first 100 days, a goal he appears likely to achieve. Biden will deliver his first primetime address to the nation on Thursday night, where he will mark the one-year anniversary of the pandemic.

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COVID-19 vaccine ad campaign features former Presidents Carter, Clinton, Bush and Obama urging vaccinations - WPVI-TV

The Girl Scouts organization on Friday announced a new program in collaboration with former first lady Michelle ObamaMichelle LeVaughn Robinson ObamaThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Johns Hopkins University - US marks anniversary of COVID lockdowns Obamas vaccinated against COVID-19 Former presidents, excluding Trump, tout vaccines in new ads MORE that will allow members to earn three badges and attend a virtual event with Obama.

Girl Scouts who join the "Becoming Me" program will be encouraged to "embark on their journeys to become their best selves" and will focus on themes found in the young readers' edition of Obama's bestselling memoir "Becoming," according to a press release.

"Mrs. Obama is a cultural leader and a champion for girls and women. Her journey described inBecomingclosely aligns with our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character," Girl Scouts of theUSAInterim CEOJudith Batty said.

"Our Becoming Me program will challenge participants to look inside themselves to define who they are and who they want to become, just as Mrs. Obama does inBecoming."

Obama also shared the news of the program in an Instagram post, noting her joy working with the Girl Scouts during her time at the White House. During the Obama administration, she hosted a camping trip on the White House lawn and planted vegetables with the girls in the White House garden.

"And thats why Im so excited that the Girl Scouts will be launching their Becoming Me program to empower young readers to share their own journeys and unlock the unique and profound power that lies within each of their own stories," Obama wrote in her Instagram post. "Thats a big part of the reason I made a young readers edition in the first placeand I cant wait to hear from Girl Scouts all across the country who are reading, learning, and growing right along with me.#IAmBecoming."

The program will last for six to eight weeks beginning in May of this year and will prompt participants to complete journal activities, reflect on their personal experiences and work through content from a modified version of Obama's "Becoming" journal, according to the release.

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Girl Scouts to launch 'Becoming Me' program in collaboration with Michelle Obama | TheHill - The Hill

The exclusive club of former presidents and first ladies has reunited with an important message: Get the COVID-19 vaccine. Missing from the campaign is former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump.

In the newly released "It's Up To You" ad campaign, former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and former first ladies Rosalynn Carter, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama, are emphasizing the importance of Americans getting the vaccine as soon as they are eligible.

There are two ads in the new campaign. One shows the former presidents and first ladies receiving their vaccines and sharing personal anecdotes, and another features Mr. Clinton, Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama standing together in a direct address to the American people.

"Soon they will be available to everyone," Mr. Bush says of the vaccine at the beginning of the first ad.

"This vaccine means hope," Mr. Obama says next. "It will protect you and those you love from this dangerous and deadly disease."

Mr. Clinton says he wants to go back to work, Mr. Obama discusses being able to hug Michelle's mother and see her on her birthday and Mr. Bush shares his excitement for attending Opening Day at Texas Rangers Stadium at full capacity.

"I'm getting vaccinated because we want this pandemic to end as soon as possible," Mr. Carter says, although he does not appear on video.

The ad ends with images of the former presidents and first ladies receiving their shots, concluding with a smiling photo of Mr. Carter holding his vaccine card.

The second ad features Mr. Bush, Mr. Clinton and Mr. Obama standing together at Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Ceremony. The three former presidents united at Arlington on January 20 to mark President Biden's inauguration.

"The science is clear, these vaccines will protect you and those you love from this dangerous and deadly disease," Mr. Bush says. "So, we urge you to get vaccinated when it is available to you."

"They could save your life," Mr. Clinton adds.

"That's the first step to ending the pandemic and moving our country forward," Mr. Obama says. "It's up to you."

Mr. Trump and his wife did not participate in the campaign. Bothreceived the coronavirus vaccine in January, but did not reveal they were vaccinated until weeks after leaving the White House.

The public service announcements come just in time for the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Hesitancy to get the vaccine remains a critical issue in the U.S., as the Biden administration ramps up its efforts to vaccinate 100 million Americans in President Biden's first 100 days in office. Mr. Biden will deliver afirst primetime address to the nation Thursday night, marking the pandemic's anniversary.

More than 525,000 Americans have died due to COVID-19, according toJohns Hopkins University.

More than 93.7 million vaccine doses have been administered as of Tuesday and 123.2 million shots have been delivered,according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 32 million Americans are fully vaccinated, and the U.S. is now averaging more than 2 million shots administered per day.

Emergency-use authorizations have so far been approved for the two-shot Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and the single dose Johnson & Johnson shot.

Originally posted here:
Former Presidents Carter, Clinton, Bush and Obama and first ladies unite to urge Americans to get vaccinated - CBS News

former first lady Michelle Obama will be inducted into the National Woman's Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2021. The organization referred to her as Quote one of the most influential and iconic women of the 21st century, the National Woman's Hall of Fame wrote both in and out of the White House. Michelle Obama has accomplished her initiatives and so much more, becoming an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, international adolescent girls' education and serving as a role model for women and young girls everywhere. The ceremony is expected to take place in person on October 2nd, although the organization noted it is monitoring the Covid 19 pandemic and planning accordingly to ensure the in person portion is safe for all attendees.

Michelle Obama to be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame

Updated: 3:43 PM EST Mar 9, 2021

Former first lady Michelle Obama will be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame this year.The organization announced its nine-member Class of 2021 on Monday. Along with Obama, it includes soccer icon Mia Hamm, NASA's first African American female engineer Katherine Johnson and PepsiCo's first female CEO, Indra Nooyi.This year's edition of the biennial induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 2 in person, with COVID-19 protocols, at the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. A free live stream of the ceremony will be available.The National Women's Hall of Fame relies on the public to nominate women who have been important in defining American history and those nominations are sent to a panel which picks the inductees.As first lady of the United States, and the first Black person to serve in the role, Obama "has emerged as one of the most influential and iconic women of the 21st century," according to a statement on the organization's website.Obama has established herself as "a strong advocate for women and girls" in the U.S. and around the world, the statement says.Obama has helped create multiple advocacy groups. They include Let's Move!, a program aimed at ending childhood obesity; the Reach Higher Initiative, which seeks to help students navigate and understand job opportunities; and Joining Forces, an initiative she led with current first lady Jill Biden, which supports service members, veterans and military families.In 2018 Obama released her first memoir, "Becoming." The book sold millions of copies worldwide and an audio version earned its author a 2020 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album. She launched her own podcast In July 2020. "The Michelle Obama Podcast," features deep conversations with friends and family on how relationships shape who we are.A full list of the 2021 inductees can be found on the National Women's Hall of Fame website.

Former first lady Michelle Obama will be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame this year.

The organization announced its nine-member Class of 2021 on Monday. Along with Obama, it includes soccer icon Mia Hamm, NASA's first African American female engineer Katherine Johnson and PepsiCo's first female CEO, Indra Nooyi.

This year's edition of the biennial induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 2 in person, with COVID-19 protocols, at the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. A free live stream of the ceremony will be available.

The National Women's Hall of Fame relies on the public to nominate women who have been important in defining American history and those nominations are sent to a panel which picks the inductees.

As first lady of the United States, and the first Black person to serve in the role, Obama "has emerged as one of the most influential and iconic women of the 21st century," according to a statement on the organization's website.

Obama has established herself as "a strong advocate for women and girls" in the U.S. and around the world, the statement says.

Obama has helped create multiple advocacy groups. They include Let's Move!, a program aimed at ending childhood obesity; the Reach Higher Initiative, which seeks to help students navigate and understand job opportunities; and Joining Forces, an initiative she led with current first lady Jill Biden, which supports service members, veterans and military families.

In 2018 Obama released her first memoir, "Becoming." The book sold millions of copies worldwide and an audio version earned its author a 2020 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album. She launched her own podcast In July 2020. "The Michelle Obama Podcast," features deep conversations with friends and family on how relationships shape who we are.

A full list of the 2021 inductees can be found on the National Women's Hall of Fame website.

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Michelle Obama to be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame - WXII The Triad

Provided by Business Insider People shopping at an outdoor market in New York City in December 2020. Noam Galai/Getty Images

Every time an elected leader proposes a progressive policy that will cost money - expanding health care, for instance, or the wildly popular American Rescue Plan that the Biden White House is championing to combat the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic - the inflation hawks loudly warn that another Great Inflation is on the way.

To anyone below the age of 50, "inflation" sounds like a kind of boogeyman, a campfire ghost story used to warn against government spending.

I've never personally encountered hyperinflation in my life - I was born in 1976 - but the word triggers nightmares for those in my parents' generation. During The Great Inflation, which spanned the years between 1975 and 1982, prices skyrocketed out of control in grocery stores and gas stations around the country, surpassing wage growth by a huge margin and putting everyday necessities out of reach for many.

After nearly four decades without an inflation crisis, is hyperinflation still a danger? Could a $1.9 billion COVID relief bill set off a spate of higher prices around the United States? This week on "Pitchfork Economics," hosts Nick Hanauer and David Goldstein ask Austan Goolsbee, who served as chair of President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers and is now a professor of economics at the University of Chicago, whether too much government spending could result in a $10 gallon of milk.

"I consider much of the inflation-mongering to be absurd," Goolsbee said, adding that rank partisanship is fueling most of the loudest claims. "90% of the inflation-mongering comes from the same people who deficit-hawk when Democrats are in office, but were absolutely for increasing the deficit when Donald Trump was president."

That said, the return of hyperinflation is always within the realm of the possible. Serious economists do warn that too much government spending might increase the output gap, which Goolsbee explained as "the difference between what we think is the potential is for the economy, and what the actual economy is."

In other words, if the government starts pumping more money into the economy than the economy is actually worth, the actual value of the American dollar begins to lose coherence, throwing the prices of imports and exports out of whack and potentially driving the cost of goods up.

"In a normal stimulus environment, you're trying to fill the output gap to get us back to where we were in unemployment and output and wages," Goolsbee explained.

Video: Economist Mark Zandi: Investors haven't fully grasped inflation 'dead ahead' (CNBC)

Economist Mark Zandi: Investors haven't fully grasped inflation 'dead ahead'

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Because the stock market has largely done very well, and because the wealthiest Americans have amassed over a trillion dollars in additional wealth since the beginning of the pandemic, some economists don't believe the current economic crisis is big enough to warrant spending.

Goolsbee believes it's a mistake to consider the American Rescue Plan to be a stimulus package in the first place. Unlike Obama's stimulus package, he explained, the plan that the Biden administration is pushing "isn't about trying to generate a big multiplier on government spending to raise the GDP, the way normal stimulus is. This is absolutely disaster relief money, in which you're trying to prevent permanent damage."

This spending isn't trying to offset generalized harm to the American economy as a whole. Instead it's counteracting the specific financial harm absorbed by the American people as they followed public health protocols to stop the spread of coronavirus. The money in the American Rescue Plan will go directly toward keeping small businesses open, keeping Americans housed without ruining their credit ratings, and feeding American families who have lost one or both sources of income.

Say the government gives someone $1,000 to make a rent payment that she otherwise wouldn't have been able to make, preventing her eviction. That's a very different kind of government spending than, say, propping up the GDP through high-level stimulus spending on financial institutions. It avoids the negative impact on the economy that a wave of mass evictions would represent, and that rent money is immediately recirculated through the economy in the form of consumer spending.

Goolsbee points to recent economic analysis of the American Rescue Plan, which projects that the output gap would probably grow by about 1% by the end of 2022 - an amount lower than the output gap after both President Trump's $2 trillion corporate tax cuts and the dot com bust of the George W. Bush Administration.

"We've had three times in the last 30 years where we were, for an extended period, running hotter than what [the economy under the American Rescue Plan] would run, without inflation," Goolsbee said.

But what if, for one time in four decades, the inflation hawks are right and prices do start to rise?

"We as societies, as economies, have a lot of tools for fighting inflation," Goolsbee said, "and we have virtually no tools for fighting deflation."

It's better for our leaders to risk a little bit of inflation that they can then alleviate through higher interest rates and other economic mechanisms, because that price would be nothing compared to what we would all pay if the economy tanks because too many businesses close, too many Americans lose their homes, and consumer spending plummets.

"But that said," Goolsbee said, "I think the case for inflation is a lot smaller than they say."

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A former Obama economic advisor says inflation warnings about the new stimulus bill are 'absurd' - here's why - msnNOW