Ilhan Omar criticizes young legislators, AOC for getting vaccine before elderly and health workers

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Rep. Ilhan Omar said she finds it troubling that her House colleagues already received the Covid-19 vaccine before those who need the shot most, the front liners and elderly people. 
• The 31-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among those who were given the initial batch of vaccines.
• In June, Omar’s father succumbed to the complications of coronavirus and since opposed Trump’s mishandling of the health crisis.

Rep. Ilhan Omar finds it upsetting that her other fellow legislators, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, got a coronavirus shot ahead of the elderly and frontline health workers.

On Sunday, Omar tweeted that while it was evident that the supply of vaccines is limited, some of her colleagues were given the shots when most of those who need them wait for their turn.

In her tweet, Omar shared an interview she had with CNN earlier this month when she mentioned early reports saying White House staff will get the COVID-19 vaccine before most citizens.

President Donald Trump posted on Twitter later on that the most susceptible Americans should get the vaccine before anyone from the White House.

Last Friday, U.S. government officials started having the Pfizer vaccine, with Vice President Mike Pence getting the first shot together with his wife Karen,  and Jerome Adams, Surgeon General.

Later the same day, both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were also administered with the shots.

Most members of Congress were able to get the vaccine.

In her Instagram Story, Ocasio-Cortez explained that giving her and other lawmakers the vaccine was part of the ‘continuity of governance’ plan,  a measure set by national security.

Republicans such as Sen. Marco Rubio who downplayed the pandemic also got himself the vaccine by Pfizer.

Ana Navarro-Cardenas, a CNN reporter, criticized Rubio for getting the vaccine early, noting that most elderly Americans and medical staff had to wait.

Not all Republicans, though, took the chance of getting vaccinated.

Sen. Rand Paul, who tested positive with COVID-19 last March, said he’s willing to be amongst those who will be vaccinated last, and lambasted Ocasio-Cortez for getting a shot.

Nur Omar Mohamed, Omar’s father, died in June due to COVID-19 complications.

In her criticism of Trump for mishandling the pandemic, Omar said that her father and more than 300,000 people have died due to Trump and his administration’s neglect of the health crisis. During an interview with MSNBC last week, Omar said her father and others who lost their lives should have been here today if not for leaders who didn’t care.

Source: Daily Mail UK