Martha Stewart Makes Waves As She Gets Her COVID Vaccine
Martha Stewart has joined the ranks of Joe Biden, Queen Elizabeth, and Sir Ian McKellan by getting her COVID vaccine (via People). Stewart posted a video of her getting the vaccine on Instagram, writing, in part, "I am so proud of and grateful to the doctors, nurses and medical staff who are wading through the red tape and confusion of the distribution of these very important vaccines. I am excited to have received my dosage and look forward to the booster."
There were many commenters who applauded and congratulated her, including one who said, "Thank you for setting a good example." But as seems to be inevitable with social media, some went off on her in the comments. One wrote, "That's great...BUT SHOULDNT ALL THE NURSES AND FRONT LINE WORKERS GET IT FIRST before civilians???????"
Another reply shared, "I'm sorry but my mother is in a nursing home in pennsylvania and still hasn't gotten her shot. And the nursing home still hasn't been told when they Will. I guess the rich come first. I like and have followed you for over 30 years but this isn't rite." And, "Um... I love @marthastewart48 and all, but she is not an essential worker. Nor is she at risk. So... why did she get the vaccine when there are so many people who NEED and deserve it more???"
Many defended Martha Stewart getting vaccinated
Others in Martha Stewart's replies had her back, and reminded people of the differing situations across the country for COVID-19 vaccine delivery: "...my town, my adjacent town and the town I work in are all starting vaccinations for 75+ next week. I'm sorry wherever you live isn't doing this. But that doesn't mean she deserves it less because she's Martha Stewart. The qualifications are based on AGE and she qualifies. Not sure why that's so hard to process. Be mad you can't get it but that's your state and local health departments fault, not hers."
The living legend is 79 years old. That puts Stewart firmly into a high-risk category and in New York City as of Monday, January 11, the day she got her vaccine, those over 65 are eligible to get vaccinated. Stewart addressed the issue in the Instagram caption, writing, "To allay your concerns that I jumped the line know that I am in the approved age group for this batch of vaccines and I waited in line with others."
She did get her vaccine at the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai in New York City, so it's actually pretty great that she didn't flex any celebrity clout to try and skip ahead of others.