AOC IS ‘OUT OF OFFICE’ – AND DATE

Voicemail still COVID-era

The COVID-19 pandemic has ended — but Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s office is not yet up to speed, according to an automated phone message her DC office provides to callers.

“Thank you for calling the office of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Federal, state and local officials have advised that social distancing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19,” the recorded greeting from a male staffer at her office says. “As such, staff in the congresswoman’s DC and district offices will shortly begin telecommuting. Meetings and other business will be conducted by phone or video. Thank you for your understanding.”

But the message is inaccurate and outdated — by at least nine months.

The US Centers for Disease Control last August dropped its social-distance requirement, saying Americans no longer need to stay at least six feet away from each other. The guidance also no longer advised quarantining for those who’ve been exposed to COVID-19 but are not infected, regardless of vaccination status.

Last September, President Biden said, “The pandemic is over.” He approved a law that officially ended the COVID-19 emergency May 11 — more than three years after former President Donald Trump declared it in March 2020.

Even the World Health Organization announced earlier this month that COVID-19 no longer is a global health emergency.

The pandemic is so in the rearview mirror that the New York state Department of Health last week dropped its vaccination requirement for 1 million health-care workers starting this fall.

One New Yorker who called Ocasio-Cortez’s federal office said, “She’s been asleep for nine months.”

Other elected officials suggested her staff never bothered to update the message.

“Maybe her office just needs to update its voicemail but the pandemic is over and all federal employees need to return to the office. They don’t get paid to sit home,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn). “My office never closed to begin with.”

Ocasio-Cortez, who represents portions of The Bronx and Queens, held a town hall meeting Friday where hundreds of people were able to sit in close proximity. Her representatives had no immediate comment Sunday.