On her instagram channel this weekend, AOC recorded herself taking the Pfizer vaccine after doses became available to Congress and they were urged to take it:
AOC clearly sees herself as a role model, saying “I would would never, ever ask you to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself.”
But the big question people have on social media is why, being so young and healthy, she is taking the vaccine now when others need it so badly?
Did I miss the story about all of the healthcare workers, nursing home residents, and people with underlying medical problems already getting their COVID vaccinations? https://t.co/QKwL9TIWWR
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) December 21, 2020
She's young and healthy. Why is she at the front of the vaccine line? https://t.co/g9yifRqnfL
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 20, 2020
Is she over 70? How on earth did AOC get first in line for the vaccine? https://t.co/Y5IgdCUVCW
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) December 21, 2020
Congratulations to @AOC for taking cuts in front of people a billion times more likely to get seriously ill or die than she is. #SelfishBrat https://t.co/vs736tVlO2
— Reverend Doctor Jill Biden Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) December 21, 2020
It wasn’t just people on the right criticizing AOC, but her own followers, according to the NY Post:
“AOC, I love you, but I’m a nurse and I’m still waiting to get mine so what exactly qualifies politicians to get a vaccine before healthcare workers?” one follower commented.
“Why are you getting this before health care workers? I put breathing tubes in people’s airways for 13hrs a day,” griped another.
“This feels as self-serving as every other politician. It’s disappointing and a slap in the face to those of us who have showed up since March to care for others. National Security won’t be impacted by my shifts this week with COVID patients at an all time high in the hospital and no vaccine in sight.. but I’ll still providing anesthesia to very sick people and not seeing my family while politicians get prioritized over me and my coworkers. Enjoy your time off with your vaccine.. I’ll be standing in the n95 for 13+hrs a day.”
I would expect people in Congress like McConnell and Pelosi in positions of power, who are quite old and potentially vulnerable to the virus, to be among the first to take the vaccine. But the youngest members of Congress? That doesn’t make much sense.