FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
December 10, 2021
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
Michigan Republicans Spread Coronavirus Misinformation
Republican lawmakers, officials, and groups continue to exacerbate the pandemic by spreading misinformation and fear
MICHIGAN – Amidst a record-breaking coronavirus surge, Michigan Republicans continue to spread conspiracy theories and misinformation. They share fear-mongering posts on social media, host pseudo-science events providing access to unproven coronavirus treatments, and urge people to ignore and even fight back against public health measures designed to save lives.
“Every day, as thousands fall ill and dozens lose their lives in our state to this ongoing pandemic, Republicans continue to recklessly endanger Michigan families,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Rather than following the science and encouraging people to listen to public health experts about vaccines and masks, they seem intent on fighting these measures so they can argue against Democrats who support them. The people of Michigan need leaders who listen to experts, not conspiracy theorists who spread distrust to capitalize on political divides for their own gain.”
This is a non-exhaustive list of Republican lawmakers, officials, and groups spreading fear and misinformation:
- Representative Steve Carra claiming that the government is spreading propaganda about new virus variants in order to force people to get vaccinated.
- MI Republican Party Co-Chair MeShawn Maddock sharing a post where Republican gubernatorial candidate Garrett Soldano shares his own medical information to tell people they don’t need to be vaccinated.
- Muskegon County Commissioner Zach Lahring sharing that he purposefully infected himself with COVID-19 earlier in the pandemic and is now attempting to do it again.
- Livingston County Republican Party encouraging parents to protest school mask mandates, which experts say slow the spread of the coronavirus.
- Muskegon County Republican Party hosting an America’s Frontline Doctors event, a political group now known for peddling coronavirus misinformation and treatment scams.
- Macomb County Republican Party hosting an event about coronavirus with the “bonus” of providing access to prescriptions for ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.
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