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Iowa Senator Joni Ernst who called Covid-19 a hoax jumps line to get vaccine, Internet calls her 'disgraceful'

She had even alleged that doctors were providing false data related to the coronavirus deaths for money

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst was one of the privileged ones who recently got the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. She tweeted a photo of herself while receiving the shot. But instead of getting congratulatory messages, the 50-year-old Republican received a lot of criticism as she had not hesitated to call the deadly virus a hoax in the recenty past. She had even alleged that doctors were providing false data related to the coronavirus deaths for money.

Ernst tweeted on December 21, “1/3 Today, at the recommendation of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the first dose of the #COVID19 vaccine. 2/3 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. 3/3 It’s also important that we continue to wear a mask, social distance, and follow CDC guidelines to protect our families, friends, and neighbors.”

But soon she was slammed for being selfish and hypocritical, for having said that she was "so skeptical" of the deaths due to coronavirus. "They're thinking there may be 10,000 or less deaths that were actually singularly COVID-19," the Republican had said earlier as she added: “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?"

As soon as Ernst shared her picture of getting the vaccine several people took to Twitter to condemn her. One such user said, “Disgraceful! Thought it was a hoax now you’re getting the vaccine.” Another one wrote, “Joni Ernst, who spent the last 9 months downplaying the severity of COVID19 & marching lockstep with Trump, gets a vaccine before millions of vulnerable American healthcare workers; #selfish.” “Joni Ernst lied and said that the COVID death toll was being inflated by doctors who stood to profit from the pandemic. She lied about the pandemic and now she's getting a vaccine to protect herself from the pandemic she lied about,” the third user commented, while the fourth one added: “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?”

However, Ernst was not only the Republican party member who faced the wrath of people for getting the vaccine early. Senators Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham were also heavily criticized. Taking to Twitter on December 19, Rubio said, “I know I looked away from the needle And yes, I know I need a tan But I am so confident that the #Covid19 vaccine is safe & effective that I decided to take it myself.” A December 20 tweet from Graham read, “Thank God for nurses who help people in need and know how to use a needle. Thank God for those who produced these vaccines. If enough of us take it, we will get back to normal lives. Help is on the way.”

“You received the vaccine before healthcare workers, first responders, & teachers.  This is absolutely abhorrent & shows how selfish you are, Marco. Damn hypocrite,” a person on Twitter lashed out at Rubio while another one attacked Graham by saying, “Man who downplayed the virus, wouldn’t wear a mask, disparages healthcare workers and doesn’t believe in science skipped the line to get vaccinated by a healthcare worker with a vaccine created by science to stop a virus he doesn’t believe is a big deal.”