Episode 4.2: Bert Baumgaertner — Vaccine Hesitancy

Episode 4.2: Bert Baumgaertner — Vaccine Hesitancy “Moderates seem to be the most sensitive to changes in risk. So that’s to say, when risk is really low, the moderates behave similarly to conservatives in that not as many of them are willing to get vaccinated compared to democrats. But as you dial up the risk so that the risk is really, really high, then liberals and democrats are much more willing to get vaccinated than republicans and so are the moderates. So, the moderates sort of swing the most. They seem to be most sensitive to information about the risk of the disease.” Meet Bert Baumgaertner (bit.ly/30utQCl), an associate professor in the Department of Politics and Philosophy (bit.ly/3rJLwGp) at the University of Idaho. For months, the United States and the rest of the world have been tracking the development and now distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. But not everyone is planning on getting the vaccine. Before the pandemic, Bert was studying why some people get vaccines, why they don’t and what might change a person’s mind. Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at [email protected]. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu. More U of I Research: The University of Idaho Confluence Lab, along with University of Oregon and Whitman College, was awarded a roughly $4.5 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to address racial and climate justice issues. Read more (bit.ly/3emBAP9). University of Idaho scientists in collaboration with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are exploring why some Idaho moose populations are declining. So far, they found that adult survival is high and are now looking at calf survival, disease and parasites. Read more (bit.ly/3vcpr5s). The U.S. Department of Energy awarded more than $2 million to three projects that partner with College of Engineering faculty. The money will be used to help advance understanding of new nuclear technologies and make them safer to operate. Read more (bit.ly/30s856d). Music: “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (bit.ly/2PsMCpw) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (bit.ly/2Ju7MQb). “Les Portes Du Futur” by Bill Vortex (bit.ly/3rBSgpy) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (bit.ly/2MZNmUa).