Republicans Like Ron DeSantis and Rand Paul Continue to Spread Misinformation, Downplay Vaccines, and Drag Out the Pandemic
A truck of DeSantis’ own in Tallahassee
As people begin receiving their free at-home COVID-19 tests in the mail and the Biden administration announces that Medicare will cover at-home tests from certain pharmacies and health centers, Republicans remain dead-set on making this pandemic last as long as possible.
Below are just a few of the egregious actions taken by Republicans in the states and nationally as they continue to pander to the most radical parts of their base by spreading misinformation, fundraising off of their lies, and downplaying vaccines and other public health measures.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted his support for a multi-day trucker protest against vaccine mandates in Ottawa, Canada. We sent DeSantis a truck of his own reminding Floridians about his disastrous record on COVID-19. From denying science, to refusing to say whether or not he’s received a booster, to nominating a doctor who believes conspiracy theories over facts to be Florida’s surgeon general, DeSantis’ lack of leadership is obvious and causing suffering in Florida.
DeSantis, joined by many other Republicans, is targeting Dr. Anthony Fauci in his campaign messaging for the next year. Spreading misinformation and attacking a doctor who has served the country for decades is only serving to confuse people about who to trust when it comes to their health and safety, causing more people to avoid vaccines and prolonging the pandemic
Last week, unvaccinated Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson repeated the conspiracy theory that athletes are dropping dead after receiving the vaccine. This lie has been repeatedly debunked over and over and only serves to scare people away from getting their life-saving vaccine.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin was confronted by a constituent for refusing to wear a mask in a grocery store. When he said, “We’re all making choices here today,” the constituent responded, “Look around you, Governor. You’re in Alexandria. Read the room!” Youngkin’s dismissal of other people’s safety sends a message to the worst part of his base.
Speaking of masks, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul appeared on Fox News to spread misinformation about public health measures intended to curb the pandemic, including masks. Two years into the pandemic, refusing to wear a mask is inexcusable, and publicly decrying the measures we’re taking to try to end this pandemic is undermining efforts to keep Amreicans safe and healthy. Paul also said Republicans would launch an investigation into Dr. Fauci if they took the Senate in the midterms.
Elsewhere, Republicans including Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Ted Cruz and many many others signed a letter threatening to shut down the government over vaccine mandates. Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie tweeted a quote falsely attributed to Voltaire, tying it to being unable to question Dr. Fauci. The quote actually is attributed to a neo-Nazi who pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Finally, state medical boards are concerned they will be unable to penalize doctors who push misinformation about vaccines and COVID-19 because of interference from state legislatures. State legislators want to muzzle these medical boards, who are just trying to do their jobs to make sure patients are safe and can get healthy.