Representative Tulsi Gabbard slammed young members of Congress for having the COVID-19 vaccine before senior citizens. She declared that she would not receive the vaccine until the elderly could.
In a Monday morning tweet, the Hawaii congresswomen made the remarks after members of the Congress received the Pfizer vaccine as allegedly part of a “continuity of governance” plan. Said plan vaulted them to be in front of the line in receiving the vaccine before risk front line workers and seniors.
Last Friday, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recorded herself receiving the COVID-19 vaccine live on Instagram as she urged her millions of followers to ask questions.
Sen. Paul, Reps. Omar and Gabbard reject early access to COVID-19 vaccine https://t.co/rIWjuyJMkt pic.twitter.com/vJvcywWZTB
— New York Post (@nypost) December 22, 2020
Concerning this, Gabbard said, “Heartless, arrogant, unelected CDC bureaucrats have decided that the lives of elderly Americans just don’t count.” She continued and stated, “For months, the CDC has been telling us that the elderly are the most vulnerable. But now they are recommending that 100 million so-called essential workers, which means healthy people working in everything from liquor stores to telephone companies, can get the vaccine before our grandparents can.”
Railing against what Gabbard called as an “immoral and bad health policy,” the continuity of government plan allowed young Representatives to have the vaccine before at-risk seniors and health workers. She then announced that she was boycotting the vaccine until more vulnerable individuals receive it.
Gabbard also encouraged other young Congress members to take the same step and give way to the elderly and front line workers. Gabbard said, “I planned to take the vaccine but will no,w 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.”
Meanwhile, Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, 38, retweeted Gabbard’s tweet and added, “I’m with you, Tulsi!”
I’m with you Tulsi! https://t.co/U9JccxvLDW
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 21, 2020
Earlier this month, under the continuity of government plan, officials in the White House, Congress, and the Judiciary were given priority for the COVID-19 vaccine. This plan was set in place by former President Dwight Eisenhower to assure that the U.S. government can continue to operate under a broad range of circumstances.
Although on Saturday, the FDA approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to support the nation’s immunization effort, there are fears that many Americans who need the shot the most are missing out.
In connection with this, hundreds of nursing homes in New Jersey are still waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine because officials were said to be overwhelmed with paperwork.
On Monday, President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Other than Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Rep. Ilhan Omar also called out Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, calling it “disturbing” to see AOC having the vaccine before the elderly and frontline workers who are more susceptible to contracting the virus.
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 tweeted on Sunday, “It’s now clear that we don’t have enough vaccines for everybody, and there is a shortage of supply, we have to prioritize those who need it most.” She added, “That’s why it’s disturbing to see members be first to get vaccine while most frontline workers, elderly and infirm in our districts, wait.”
The Congresswoman also stated that frontline workers, who have made sacrifices to make the country run, should be at utmost priority. She added that people who have been disproportionately impacted by the virus should be the priority.
President Trump also tweeted that he believed that White House staff should not get the vaccine before other more vulnerable Americans. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also stated that President Trump wanted to make sure that frontline workers and elderly in long-term facilities first get access to the COVID vaccine.
As the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to frontline workers all over the country, the President promised that it is safe and effective.
