Uncle Sam wants you vaccinated 一 or at least that’s the message

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Editor's note: This story has been updated.

SANDPOINT — Michael McGuire, retiree and North Idaho local, is trying to spread his pro-vaccine message with a World War II-styled Uncle Sam poster. Large red letters read “I want you vaccinated. The life you save may be someone special.”

The conception of the poster was inspired by what McGuire calls “the ongoing surge” of COVID-19. “I hope this poster reminds people of the need to vaccinate,” said McGuire.

“There may be some that disagree with the use of Uncle Sam, but he’s had both shots,” McGuire said. McGuire’s friend Paul Yost designed the poster and Andrew Boyd assisted with the computer work.

The trio are not affiliated with any organization nor have they partnered with Rite Aid or Albertson’s Pharmacy who are listed on the flyer. Instead, McGuire said, these pharmacies are listed as a resource for locals.

To those who are not vaccinated and are hesitant to get one, McGuire asked them to consider getting a COVID-19 shot, adding it helps them and those around them.

“Please think of others and yourself”, he added.

On June 30, Kaiser Family Foundation released a national poll on reception of the vaccine. Those least likely to get vaccines were Republicans, evangelical Christains, populations from rural areas, and individuals under 35.

Due to the earlier success of the vaccination campaign, the continued immunization has lagged with half of unvaccinated adults concluding there is no need for them to receive a shot. The low number of cases in June encouraged this line of reasoning, KFF said.

Furthermore, unvaccinated adults polled said they would be more likely to take the vaccine if it included a ticket for a million dollar lottery.

About 31% of those unvaccinated polled said they would take the vaccine if and when it is approved by the FDA. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is still under review by the federal agency.

As of July 25h 40.74% of Idahoans have received one shot and 37.16% of Idahoans are fully vaccinated, said usafacts.com. Currently, the CDC has Bonner County's community transmission level at substantial.

Bonner County residents that have received one dose or are fully vaccinated is 39.86%, said Idaho Divisions of Public Health. Cases are up this week at 31.58%, testing is up 7.75%.

The community transmission level for Boundary County is moderate. Residents with one dose or both vaccine doses is 32.76%, said Idaho Divisions of Public Health.

There have been no deaths reported to the CDC since January 1, 2021. Testing is up 4.7% with positive test results down 0.16%.

Kootenai County’s transmission level is marked as high. Residents with one dose or both vaccine doses is at 41.56%. Cases are up this week at 14.07%. Testing is up 6.8% and positive tests are up 5.42%. Hospital admission is down 13.64%.

It should be noted that Kootenai County’s population density is 1.42 times the national average. While Bonner County’s population density is 3.56 times under the national average and Boundary County’s population density is nearly 10 times under the national average.

Of the five counties included in the Panhandle Health District, 325 fatalities have occured due to COVID-19 since June 2020.

McGuire has reached out to multiple news outlets, and said he hopes his Uncle Sam poster will go national. He said he plans to distribute the flyer later in the week.

McGuire is reaching out to groups and organizations that would like to help. Those interested can reach out to McGuire at 509-868-8042.