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** Happy Thursday Democrats!
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FEDERAL

Vaccination Persuasion

When the Kaiser Family Foundation conducted a poll at the start of the year and asked American adults whether they planned to get vaccinated, 23 percent said no.

But a significant portion of that group — about one quarter of it — has since decided to receive a shot. The Kaiser pollsters recently followed up and asked these converts what led them to change their minds. The answers are important, because they offer insight into how the millions of still unvaccinated Americans might be persuaded to get shots, too.

Nationwide, more than 99 percent of recent deaths have occurred among unvaccinated people, and more than 97 percent of recent hospitalizations have occurred among the unvaccinated, according to the C.D.C. “Look,” President Biden said on Friday, “the only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated.”
What helps move people from vaccine skeptical to vaccinated? The Kaiser polls point to three main themes.

1. Seeing that millions of other Americans have been safely vaccinated.

Consider these quotes from Kaiser’s interviews:

“It was clearly safe. No one was dying.” — a 32-year-old white Republican man in South Carolina

“I went to visit my family members in another state and everyone there had been vaccinated with no problems.” — a 63-year-old Black independent man in Texas

“Almost all of my friends were vaccinated with no side effects.” — a 64-year-old Black Democratic woman in Tennessee

This suggests that emphasizing the safety of the vaccines — rather than just the danger of Covid, as many experts (and this newsletter) typically do — may help persuade more people to get a shot.

A poll of vaccine skeptics by Echelon Insights, a Republican firm, points to a similar conclusion. One of the most persuasive messages, the skeptics said, was hearing that people have been getting the vaccine for months and it is “working very well without any major issues.”

2. Hearing pro-vaccine messages from doctors, friends and relatives.

For many people who got vaccinated, messages from politicians, national experts and the mass media were persuasive. But many other Americans — especially those without a college degree — don’t trust mainstream institutions. For them, hearing directly from people they know can have a bigger impact.

“Hearing from experts,” as Mollyann Brodie, who oversees the Kaiser polls, told me, “isn’t the same as watching those around you or in your house actually go through the vaccination process.”

Here are more Kaiser interviews:

“My daughter is a doctor and she got vaccinated, which was reassuring that it was OK to get vaccinated.” — a 64-year-old Asian Democratic woman in Texas

“Friends and family talked me into it, as did my place of employment.” — a 28-year-old white independent man in Virginia

“My husband bugged me to get it and I gave in.” — a 42-year-old white Republican woman in Indiana

“I was told by my doctor that she strongly recommend I get the vaccine because I have diabetes.” — a 47-year-old white Republican woman in Florida

These comments suggest that continued grass-roots campaigns may have a bigger effect at this stage than public-service ad campaigns. The one exception to that may be prominent figures from groups that still have higher vaccine skepticism, like Republican politicians and Black community leaders.

3. Learning that not being vaccinated will prevent people from doing some things.

There is now a roiling debate over vaccine mandates, with some hospitals, colleges, cruise-ship companies and others implementing them — and some state legislators trying to ban mandates. The Kaiser poll suggests that these requirements can influence a meaningful number of skeptics to get shots, sometimes just for logistical reasons.

“Hearing that the travel quarantine restrictions would be lifted for those people that are vaccinated was a major reason for my change of thought.” — a 43-year-old Black Democratic man in Virginia

“To see events or visit some restaurants, it was easier to be vaccinated.” — a 39-year-old white independent man in New Jersey

“Bahamas trip required a COVID shot.” — a 43-year-old Hispanic independent man in Pennsylvania



January 6^th Investigation Selection Committee

Speaker Pelosi has rejected 2 choices of Representative Kevin McCarthy to serve on the January 6^th Investigation Select Committee. It’s pretty obvious why.

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McCarthy then decided not to participate in the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot on the Capitol, yanking all of his GOP picks in protest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) decision to reject two top Republicans.

"Unless Speaker Pelosi reverses course and seats all five Republican nominees, Republicans will not be party to their sham process and will instead pursue our own investigation of the facts," he said in a statement.

Let’s remember Kevin McCarthy’s desperate phone call to Donald Trump on January 6th when the Capitol was being breached. He implored the President to call off the insurrectionists. Then, on the floor of the House, one week after the insurrection, McCarthy commented, “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding. These facts require immediate action by President Trump to accept his share of responsibility, quell the brewing unrest and ensure President elect Biden is able to successfully begin his term.” We cannot forget McCarthy’s revisionist history. He knows the truth and so do we! Enough of the Republicans’ hysteria over the January 6 Commission.


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STATE

Preemption of Local Occupational Licensing


Thanks to the Erin Grall’s supportive vote, GOP Legislature and Governor DeSantis, your local contractors no longer have to be licensed. Please be careful when hiring someone to do work in your home.



Affordable Housing


The National Low Income Housing Coalition recently released their “Out of Reach 2021” report. This report details cost of living barriers to housing in the United States. You can read the entire report here:
** [link removed] ([link removed])


Here is how Florida ranks:



Climate Change and Red Tide

The west coast of Florida is experiencing an inordinate amount of sea life washing up on its shores. The effects of climate change are costing Floridians a great deal of financial resources. You can read more here:

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LOCAL

Indoctrination of our Children?

Erin Grall's Parental Rights Bill has now been signed into law by Governor DeSantis. Tuesday, at the School Board Superintendent Workshop, Grall admitted that she didn't know the ramifications of the bill and that she was sure there would be caselaw out of it. What? She worked to get this bill passed for three years and she doesn't understand it? What was admitted is that our LGBTQ students are potentially put in harm’s way with this bill. What is also known, is that the Koch family is financially supporting the organizations that are sponsoring this event. If you care about the children in this community, please show up and let these groups know that their voice isn't the only voice in Indian River County.




Downtown Hauntings

Adopt a School or Classroom

As the new school year approaches, teachers and students need our support more than ever. The Education Foundation of Indian River County is currently looking for donors to Adopt-A-Class or Fund-A-Project. If you would like to do that, you can go to their website here ** [link removed] ([link removed])
to pick a classroom or project.

GET INVOLVED

If we are going to be successful in 2022, we need to ensure that our organization is strong.

If you are not interested in being a Precinct Captain, but still want to be involved, the following volunteer positions are available.


Associate Precinct Captain

A Special Category of Volunteers who wish to help in a substantial way but are not willing to take on the responsibilities of Precinct Captain can be Associate PC’s. Associates might take on designated tasks such as forming a street team or a condominium building team. They may help the Precinct Captain on projects or tasks.

Precinct Data Captain

• Collect and manage all precinct data for the team: precinct voter lists, unregistered voters and voter contact data
• Help create call and canvassing lists for team activities in collaboration with the Data Team
• Collect precinct data regularly

Canvass Captain

• Lead / Launch door-to-door canvasses, in collaboration with others
• Get data & supplies to the proper people/places before and after each canvass

Volunteer Recruitment Captain

• Recruit precinct volunteers
• Match and connect volunteers with roles that fit their skills

Neighborhood Captain, Gated Community Captain & Building Captain

Residents of restricted access communities can contact voters from the inside, where the Precinct Team cannot go. Neighborhood Captains contact voters in a particular neighborhood, condo, gated community, directed by their Precinct Captains.
 

Other Opportunities

Volunteers are an essential part of the IRC DEC grassroots efforts to get-out-the vote and help in a number of ways including, but not limited to:
• Participating in table events: Attend community events, help register voters, help voters complete the request form for vote by mail ballots and recruit volunteers.
• Registering Voters: Help members of your community register to vote!
• Canvassing: Knocking on Democrats’ doors to inform them about upcoming elections, complete voter registration forms and requests for vote by mail ballots, volunteer opportunities, etc.
• Phone Calling: Calling Democratic to inform them about upcoming elections, help them change their voter registration, if needed, let them know how they can request vote by mail ballots, information about volunteer opportunities, etc.
• Writing letters and/or Postcards: Reminding voters about upcoming elections, that they can vote by mail, need to register, etc.
• Involved in Community Outreach: Introducing the IRC DEC to possible community partners/volunteers.
• Assisting with Communications: Helping with social media, website, newsletter and other communications needs.
• Fundraising: Helping the IRC DEC raise funds to support electing Democrats.


If you are interested, and want to learn more about these positions, please email Stacey at
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])



DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER


The Democratic Club of Indian River

Volunteers are needed to help check in members and guests at the Democratic Club meetings. It is a fun way to meet like-minded people and make them feel welcome. If you are available, please contact Valerie Daley at [email protected].


For those who wish to join the Democratic Club of IRC, contact Al Griffiths, [email protected], 203-537-1762 (voice/text).

Democratic Women’s Club

Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos is the next Book Group selection. The virtual meeting will start at 2:00 p.m. on July 23rd. If you are not a Book Group member and would like to attend, please contact Rita Milelli at [email protected].


CALENDAR


Wednesday, July 28, 2021

6:00 p.m. - Sebastian City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to ** [link removed] ([link removed])





Friday, July 30, 2021

2:00 p.m. - Democratic Women's Club Book Club -
If you aren't a book group member and would like to join in the discussion contact Rita Milelli at ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Downtown Friday, Downtown Vero Beach, 14^th Avenue

COVID VACCINATIONS

You can search for vaccination locations and details by clicking here:

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TIDBITS

This cute monkey’s reaction to a magic trick will make your day!

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That’s all!

See you next week!

Stay Safe and Well!
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