Squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized her fellow lawmakers for putting themselves before frontline workers and at-risk members of the public who she says should be first in line to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
Several members of congress have already received doses and Omar called them out on Twitter saying it was “shameful” for lawmakers to be prioritized for the vaccine.
“We are not more important [than] frontline workers, teachers, etc. who are making sacrifices [every day],” Omar tweeted. “Which is why I won’t take it. People who need it most, should get it.”
.@NancyMace and @IlhanMN will probably rarely agree on anything but both say members of Congress shouldn't be getting the vaccine in front of others. pic.twitter.com/BgN8p01NSp
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) December 21, 2020
Last week the congresswoman made similar comments during an interview with CNN, where she said prioritizing White House staff was “disturbing.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are among those who have already received their vaccines as part of a campaign to encourage Americans to go out and get the shot themselves.
Omar’s fellow squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez got her first dose over the weekend and later answered questions about her experience on social media.
If you have any questions or unease about the COVID vaccine, I got you!
I’d *never* ask you to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself.
Yday per national security policy (PPD40), Congress began getting vaccinated.
I took the jab & am here to answer your questions. Ask away! pic.twitter.com/ZyBgXi7kRl
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 19, 2020
Other lawmakers are reluctant to be among the first to be vaccinated so they’re not seen as cutting in line. But others couldn’t wait to make appointments.
Virginia Representative Don Beyer was one of the first to receive a shot and tweeted, “Millions of Americans are waiting for shots, many of whom are workers on the front lines of this pandemic. I am not more important than they are, but national leaders must lead by example.”
Each state is responsible for developing plans to make the vaccine available to citizens over the next couple of months. Many have agreed on the importance of prioritizing vulnerable populations, like nursing home residents and essential frontline workers, until enough doses become available for every American.
Dr. Anthony Fauci says that leaders of the country like President Trump and President-elect Joe Biden should receive the vaccine as soon as possible for security and safety reasons.
On Friday Vice President Mike Pence publicly received the vaccine at the White House along with his wife and Surgeon General Jerome Adams.
Fauci is scheduled to receive his shot on Tuesday.
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