COVID-19 vaccinations are continuing to be administered to politicians, but several lawmakers have drawn criticism for being among the first to line up to be immunized after previously downplaying the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.
Among those is Iowa GOP Senator Joni Ernst. The Republican took to Twitter on Sunday to announce that she received her first does of the vaccine, along with a photo of her receiving the shot. She noted that she took the vaccine at the recommendation of the Office of the Attending Physician.
"I encourage all Iowans and Americans to do the same when their time comes. Thanks to #OperationWarpSpeed and the tireless work of Americans across the country, we are one step closer to defeating this virus," she wrote in a follow-up tweet, before urging others to wear a mask, practice social distancing and follow CDC guidelines.
She went on to encourage others to wear a mask, practice social distancing and follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to curb the spread of the virus.
Ernst Claimed Doctors Were Faking COVID-19 Deaths for Profit
However, some were quick to accuse Ernst for being a "hypocrite" given that only a few months ago, she pushed a conspiracy theory claiming that doctors were falsifying COVID-19 deaths to make money.
In September, Ernst promoted an unfounded QAnon conspiracy theory that . President Donald Trump retweeted the debunked claim on Twitter before the micro-blogging platform had the post removed for spreading misinformation.
During a Q&A session on her campaign trail, Ernst said she was "so skeptical" of the coronavirus mortality rate and went on to suggest that doctors were intentionally faking the number of deaths in order to receive more money for caring for the sick patient.
"These health-care providers and others are reimbursed at a higher rate if COVID is tied to it, so what do you think they're doing?" Ernst asked.
Apart from her remark, users also expressed anger at the fact that Ernst was receiving the vaccine before most frontline workers.
Here are some of the reactions:
Glad you came to this realization after you helped spread disinformation that almost certainly got people killed. Disgusted that you skipped the line and took a dose that could have gone to a healthcare worker, one of the caregivers who you accused of inflating the death toll.
— Ethan Sacks (@ethanjsacks) December 21, 2020
Does it also immunize you from rank hypocrisy?
— Greg Olear (@gregolear) December 21, 2020
Every Politician getting the vaccine over an essential worker. pic.twitter.com/DgT7rW5fKp
— Brandi_Lynn (@busyiowagirl) December 20, 2020
How it started: How it's going: pic.twitter.com/9yFXKyYNuR
— Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) December 21, 2020
Shame on you, Senator. Please ask yourself if you really feel it's beneficial to our society that even though you mocked the pandemic and disparaged front line health care providers, you have displaced a health care worker who truly needs this vaccine?
— Mo Sheronick (@MHSIowa) December 20, 2020
Why Joni? The doctors are lying about the deaths for money. I know, because you told us so. How many people have you killed with your lies, Joni? As someone who lost family to COVID while your lies help spread it, I seriously, seriously hope you burn in hell for what you've done.
— Kurt "Masks Save Lives" Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 21, 2020
