Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez documented her experience getting the COVID-19 vaccine and shared it with her 8.2 million Instagram followers.
The freshman rep from parts of The Bronx and Queens shared video of herself leading up to the recording Friday night – including completing a questionnaire – the injection itself, as well as how she felt afterward.
“I would never, ever ask you anything I didn’t want to do myself,” she wrote in the post.
The Democratic Socialist also answered questions from followers and said she had some minor symptoms after the inoculation.
“I have a little muscle pain in my arm, which is not unusual with any shot. The second thing I feel is fatigue, but it’s also been a long time since I’ve had a break, ”the rep said, referring to the weekend’s marathon session on Capitol Hill.
Ocasio-Cortez also tried to explain in layman’s terms how the mRNA vaccine differs from a traditional inoculation – by teaching cells how to make a protein that elicits an immune response, rather than injecting the patient with a weakened or inactivated strain of the virus.
“It’s like the difference between if you had a burglar and he broke into your house and you learn to fight him versus if someone gave you a picture of the burglar … when you see that picture and you see that man walking up to your house, you’re like ‘oh I know that guy, he’s a burglar’, ”said the 31-year-old.
Ocasio-Cortez said she and other members of the House of Representatives “were urged to take [the vaccine] as part of the government’s plan, “adding in its post that the measure” was in accordance with national security protocols. “
But the video didn’t catch on with all of its followers – and some wondered why politicians got the chance before many health workers got it from them.
“AOC, I love you, but I’m a nurse and I’m still waiting for mine, so what exactly qualifies politicians to get a vaccine before health workers?” said a follower.
“Why do you get this before health workers? I put breathing tubes in people’s airways 13 hours a day, ”said another.
“This feels just as selfish as any other politician. It’s disappointing and a slap in the face for those of us who have turned up since March to care for others. National security will not be affected by my services this week with COVID patients always high in the hospital with no vaccine in sight … but I will still be giving anesthesia to very sick people and not seeing my family while politicians take precedence get over me and my colleagues. Enjoy your free time with your vaccine. I am in the n95 for 13 hours + a day. “
Ocasio-Cortez’s dog Deco also seemed unenthusiastic about the video – loud snoring could be heard in the background during her explanation.