As COVID Hits Record Highs, Nets Avoid Saying Joe Biden’s Name

All three networks avoided the elephant in the room Tuesday, as COVID-19 hospitalizations reached record levels and the number of children who tested positive. Joe Biden. The President’s name — and his administration’s culpability  — were never mentioned during ABC, CBS and NBC’s segments on the skyrocketing cases. 

Continue reading CBS Mornings, Gayle King opened the show with the bad news: “The number of kids with COVID hits an all-time high as parents and teachers struggle with this surge.” She explained, “More than 142,000 Americans were in hospitals as of Sunday with the Coronavirus.” She added, “The American Academy of Pediatrics says more than 580,000 children tested positive for the virus last week. This is an also record-breaking number. This is not good.” 

More than one Good Morning America, co-host Robin Roberts similarly began the show with the disturbing new numbers: “Also this morning, hospitalizations hitting a pandemic high nationwide. This morning, the states resorting to emergency measures to keep hospitals staffed.” She added, “This as a record number of children tested positive last week as testing ramped up after the holiday break.” 

You can find the Today show, co-host Hoda Kotb warned that “cases and hospitalizations soar to new records.” 

The only hint that there might be some sort of government in charge of all this came in mentions to “the White House.” On Good Morning America, reporter Stephanie Ramos explained, “The White House says they will mail 500 million at home COVID tests across the country.” On Today, reporter Miguel Almaguer noted, “The White House says Americans with private health care insurance won’t need to pay for those rapid at home COVID test kits.” 

As Biden prepares to enter year two of his presidency, isn’t it time the networks start focusing some serious scrutiny on his handling of COVID? 

Stanley Steemer sponsored the CBS Biden Protection. ABC was by GoDaddy, NBC by T-Mobile. To let them know your thoughts, click on these links. 

Here are some partial transcripts. Click “expand” to read more. 

CBS Mornings
1/11/2022

Tease at 7AM

GAYLE KING: Parents and teachers are struggling to cope with the rise in COVID among children. 

…

7:03.49 to 7:06.55: 3 minutes 6 seconds 

KING:  We’re going to begin with this. Although we wish we wouldn’t have to go through this again in our fight against the pandemic, we are where we are. On Sunday, there were more than 142,000 Coronavirus-infected Americans in hospital. That’s according to the federal government. The majority of people are not vaccinated. This was more than any time before. American Academy of Pediatrics reports that more than 580,000 children had tested positive last week. This is also an unprecedented number. This is alarming. Since December began, the number of pediatric cases has almost tripled. 

…

Good Morning America
1/11/2021
7AM TEASE 

ROBIN ROBERTS – This morning hospitalizations reached a high level due to a pandemic. The states are resorting to urgent measures today to maintain hospital staffing. Also, what is the CDC saying about Omicron versus masks? 

7:05.45 – 7:08.30: 2 minutes 45 seconds 

ROBIN ROBERTS. Now, let’s turn our attention to record-breaking COVID hospitalizations nationwide. As testing increased after the holidays, a record number children were tested positive for COVID. Stephanie Ramos, a New Jersey hospital with many more is present. Good morning, Stephanie. 

…
9 Seconds 

STEPHANIE RAMOS – Getting a COVID test might not be as difficult as it seems. According to the White House, 500 million COVID test kits will be sent across America. Americans are able to purchase up eight COVID test kits at home per month from Robin and receive reimbursements through their insurance. 

Today
1/11/2022

Tease at 7AM 

ABC graphic: Crisis mode

HODA KOTB : School is back. Overnight, teachers and officials in Chicago reach a deal to return to the classroom, despite COVID concerns, as cases and hospitalizations soar to new records.

7:10.23 to 7:13.23: 3 Minutes 

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE – A deal was reached overnight to reopen Chicago’s schools for in person learning. This is despite the continuing record rise in COVID cases, and news that omicron booster shots may be in the pipeline.

…
9 Seconds 

MIGUEL AMAGUER: People may see some improvement in testing, with yesterday seeing 1.3 million infections and cases reaching record numbers. The White House says Americans with private health care insurance won’t need to pay for those rapid at home COVID test kits.