As you well know, a viable and so-called successful vaccine for the novel COVID-19 virus has been found. And inoculations began immediately, with members of our healthcare industry, military, and our senior citizen population getting some of the first dibs.
Quite naturally, first dibs were also given some high-level elected officials.
Joe Biden, as he is very much within the “at-risk” category and assumed to be our next president, has been given his first round of the vaccine, as have older members of Congress such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Now, while it might seem a little unfair that some of these should be given the vaccine first, based on their presumed importance in our government, it doesn’t seem too bizarre. I mean, Biden is 78, and Pelosi is in her 80s.
However, when it comes to other, much younger and healthier Congress members, you’d think they would possibly pass on the vaccine, at least for now, as there is currently a minimal supply, and the older or more at risk should be able to get it first.
For some, that’s not exactly the attitude taken.
Take New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for instance.
Like everyone else in Congress, she was offered the vaccine and immediately jumped on it, never mind that she is a mere 31 years old and presumed to be in the prime of her life or that thousands of those with illness or increased age need it far more than she.
So, pray tell, what was her reasoning for being so quick to take advantage of something someone needier and definitely more deserving could have used?
Well, government continuity, of course.
She posted a video to her Instagram account stating that she had been allowed to take the vaccine and she wasn’t going to pass it up because someone needed to be around to lead the people. Of course, she thinks that person or persons need to include her.
“The COVID vaccine became available to members of Congress last night and we are urged to take it as part of a continuity of governance plan. This actually came from a national security policy and directive to ensure continuity of governance during national emergency.”
Basically, she reasons that, if some national emergency should happen in the near future, such as the numerous members of our nation’s leadership transmit the disease and die from it, the vaccine could help ensure that not all of our government is lost and needs to replaced.
AOC, apparently, plans to be kept on top no matter what.
Now, while her reasoning might be skewed in only a way that the diabolical left can perceive, she is correct that Congress has, in fact, been encouraged to receive the vaccine. However, a contingency plan didn’t seem to be mentioned in the letter urging them to do so.
Last week, Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician for the US Congress, wrote to them to recommend that they indeed get vaccinated. “My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal: there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine. The benefit far exceeds any small risk,” according to Reuters.
AOC must have taken the encouragement to heart, chalking it up to more of her presumed entitlement.
Others in Congress, however, did not.
Senator Rand Paul is one such individual.
He made sure to note that he was, in fact, going to defer his vaccine, for now, saving it for a later date when it was clear that those who needed it more had already received it.
Paul said, “I was asked about getting vaccinated with others in Congress: It is inappropriate for me – who has already gotten the virus/has immunity – to get in front of elderly/healthcare workers. The same goes for AOC or any young, healthy person. They should be among last, not first.”
Paul understands the principle of just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should. It’s a lesson we should be taught sometime during childhood. Just because you can smaller kids’ candy doesn’t mean you should.
The same rule applies here.
Sure, he can get vaccinated and be assumed to be in the clear from ever getting the disease again. But he knows that his position in Congress or anywhere shouldn’t put him before others who don’t have youth or health on their side.
AOC clearly hasn’t learned that lesson, as she thinks she deserves first dibs at everything, no matter who it belongs to or should go to.