New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez filmed herself getting the COVID vaccine – and even some of her diehard fans aren't happy about it.
The 31-year-old congresswoman uploaded a video to Instagram showing her getting vaccinated against the coronavirus, explaining the vaccine had been made available to members of Congress as "part of the government's plan" and adding she “would never, ever ask you to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself.”
“I have a little muscle soreness in my arm which is not unusual with any shot,” she reported after being vaccinated. “The second thing that I’m feeling is fatigue — but also, it’s been a really long time since I had a break.”
AOC, a socialist who's claim to fame is supposedly prioritizing the needs of the poor and working class, is just one of multiple lawmakers who posted videos and photos of themselves getting vaccinated over the weekend, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Many Democrats have quickly come around to the vaccine after first being critical of any immunization developed under the Trump administration prior to the election, now touting it as a safe and effective guard against COVID.
But not everyone was thrilled that a healthy young congresswoman who’s at an almost non-existent risk dying from COVID was getting a dose of the vaccine ahead of frontline health care workers, the elderly, or those with pre-existing conditions who have a much higher chance of suffering from the disease.
“Any thoughts on how healthcare systems don’t have enough to vaccinate their front line workers but members of Congress are getting vaccinated?” one user pointed out.
“How about Members of Congress forgo their shots and instead advocate for Frontline workers to get shots. No offense, but as a nurse I probably treat way more Covid patients and any single member of Congress… Or all of them put together,” another said.
“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?” a third pointed out.
Others called out the hypocrisy of members of Congress getting vaccinated before having passed a relief bill to help millions of Americans struggling under mass industry shutdowns.
“No member of the Senate should get the vaccine until the stimulus bill is passed,” one user commented.
Others accused AOC of supporting Big Pharma by touting a rushed vaccine that’s profiting drug companies like Pfizer and Moderna.