Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized members of Congress, including fellow “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for receiving the coronavirus vaccine ahead of more vulnerable populations.
“It’s not clear that we don’t have enough vaccines for everyone and there is a shortage of supply, we have to prioritize those who need it most,” Omar tweeted. “That’s why it’s disturbing to see members be 1st to get vaccine while most frontline workers, elderly and infirm in our districts, wait.”
It’s now clear that we don’t have enough vaccines for everyone and there is shortage of supply, we have to prioritize those who need it most.
That’s why it’s disturbing to see members be 1st to get vaccine while most frontline workers, elderly and infirm in our districts, wait. https://t.co/YGcL4jO1Li
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 20, 2020
Omar continued her criticism in a subsequent tweet, calling the practice of lawmakers receiving the vaccine first “shameful” and asserting that they “are not more important then frontline workers, teachers etc. who are making sacrifices everyday.”
“Which is why I won’t take it,” Omar tweeted. “People who need it most, should get it.”
It would makes sense if it was age, but unfortunately it’s of importance and its shameful.
We are not more important then frontline workers, teachers etc. who are making sacrifices everyday.
Which is why I won’t take it.
People who need it most, should get it.
Full stop. https://t.co/JQgMftm5wX
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 20, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez posted a live recording while receiving the vaccine on Friday, encouraging her followers to ask questions during the process. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio recorded a video doing the same, joking that he had to look away from the needle during the process.
Both lawmakers are under the age of 50, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not consider the riskiest demographic for complications from COVID-19.
Omar, whose father died in June due to COVID-19 complications, was joined in her criticism by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
“I planned to take the vaccine but will now stand in solidarity with our seniors by not doing so until they can. I urge my colleagues in Congress who are under the age of 65 and healthy to join me,” Gabbard said.
The criticism seemingly hit home for some lawmakers, with a growing number of them now declining early access to the vaccine.
Sen. Rand Paul tweeted that it was “inappropriate for me — who has already gotten the virus/has immunity — to get in front of elderly/healthcare workers.”
