More Hypocrisy

After a year of school and business closures, record-setting economic hardships, and the heartbreaking reality so many Americans have had to face in watching their loved ones die, hope is finally on the horizon. Two different COVID-19 vaccinations have been approved and released, with healthcare workers already lining up to be among the first to receive protection from the disease that has completely altered life as we know it up to now.  But it is not just the healthcare workers who are putting their lives at risk every day they show up for their jobs who ae in line for vaccinations.  Many in the line are Republican members of congress, both Senators and Representatives’ who apparently feel their jobs as members of Congress puts them at risk for infection from Covid-19.  Ironically (or perhaps just par for the course), many of the same prominent Republicans who spent months downplaying the seriousness of COVID-19 have also jumped to the front of the line to receive their vaccinations—ahead of teachers, essential workers, and even the immunocompromised individuals who are most at risk.  Up to now, these assholes did not wear masks and did not adhere to social distancing guidelines but now feel entitled to insert themselves ahead of the people risking their lives every day to save the lives of those infected by the virus.  These are the same Senators and Representatives who do not believe in relief for Americans most impacted, or even paid leave for those who get sick, but they certainly believe in the power of their jobs to get themselves the vaccine to protect them from the disease they are willing to sacrifice everyone else to and deny it is even dangerous.  Many Americans believe the COVID-19 vaccinations were rushed, not fully understanding the years of research that actually went into developing them. Part of this disbelief is stoked by behavior and comments from the very same Senators and Representatives who personally behaved as if Covid-19 is a media problem or a Democratic plot to embarrass the President. Add to the failure of the media to take on the job of educating citizens about the intense testing process involved in ensuring the safety of these vaccines, or in pointing out what we now know to be the long-term impacts of contracting COVID-19 (impacts far more concerning than any side effect ever scientifically linked to modern-day vaccinations).  Now, while they remain without masks, Republican Senators and Republican Representatives can’t get their vaccinations quickly enough.  Don’t be surprised by this behavior.  They’re Republicans.  They nominated and voted for Trump.  No need to say more.