“Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) offered dangerously incorrect COVID-19 advice on Fox News Thursday night that set off an outcry on social media. The senator urged all those who have recovered from the coronavirus to throw out their masks and go out and enjoy public spaces because they are now “immune” to it. This is not true; there have been confirmed cases of reinfection both in the U.S. and abroad. “We have 11 million people in our country who have already had COVID. We should tell them to celebrate. We should tell them to throw away their masks, go to restaurants, and live again, because these people are now immune,” he told Fox News host Martha MacCallum. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that reinfection is possible and that all people should wear masks in public spaces, regardless of whether they have had COVID-19 or not. Rand Paul: We have 11 million people in our country who have already had COVID. We should tell them to celebrate. We should tell them to throw away their masks, go to restaurants, and live again because these people are now immune(they are not immune) pic.twitter.com/Un2CQ1b5Tg— Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) November 13, 2020 Paul also tried to cast the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, as melodramatic for urging the public to stay vigilant, even as virus cases soar to record-breaking highs and hospitalization rates surge. “Dr. Fauci doesn’t want to admit to any of that,” Paul said of his false immunity claim. “Dr. Fauci is like ‘Oh, woe is me.’” Despite Fauci being a member of his White House coronavirus task force, President Donald Trump has attacked the public health expert for differing with him on how to handle the virus. Paul criticized the doctor on Thursday as politicized and biased. Fauci has never publicly endorsed any political candidate in his more than four decades of public service. “He believes that submission and lockdowns are fine, he’s not too worried about individual liberties,” Paul said. Fauci called Paul out at a Senate hearing in September for making inaccurate and unscientific claims about the coronavirus and herd immunity. The senator’s name was trending on Twitter Thursday night after his appearance. Breathtakingly irresponsible, unscientific stuff from @RandPaul https://t.co/08gY2Z3tBm— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 13, 2020 I’m sorry but Rand Paul must be the worst fucking doctor. https://t.co/f0VoFHBbhD— Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) November 13, 2020 Wanna see a crazy person? Here’s Rand Paul telling people to go party who’ve already had COVID.Irresponsible and negligent. Every day I’m ashamed he represents Kentucky.He stalled anti-lynching legislation recently.Not working for anyone I know…pic.twitter.com/fKF48R9ERK— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) November 13, 2020 Rand Paul is telling people that if they already had COVID-19, they are immune. THAT IS A LIE.He should have his medical license revoked, and he should be censured by the Senate. And call his neighbor.— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) November 13, 2020 Rand Paul is the last doctor I would want to take care of me. Give me Dr. Scholl’s, Dr. Pepper, Dr. Strange, anybody but him. https://t.co/tKo0IJ2Bt6— Adam Best (@adamcbest) November 13, 2020 To be clear, Rand Paul is talking about Dr. Fauci here, not Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/zd9FTPbvu2— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 13, 2020 As a doctor, Rand Paul is the personification of malpractice. https://t.co/2gA69yxrCP— John Lewis’ Backpack Darryl Wharton-Rigby (@whartonrigby) November 13, 2020 He’s technically an ophthalmologist … but not exactly a board certified one. in Kentucky…? More on that: https://t.co/fDX6umBs8H https://t.co/QHKtFt18oi— Joy WE VOTED!! WEAR A MASK!! Reid 😷) (@JoyAnnReid) November 13, 2020 That time Dr. Fauci shutdown US Senator Rand Paul: pic.twitter.com/i0WWxXWcmb— MuslimMarine (@mansoortshams) November 13, 2020 This is criminal. https://t.co/jNLTJ8UUuS— NeuroPsychoPhD (@SethN12) November 13, 2020 Everyone deserves accurate information about COVID-19. Support journalism without a paywall — and keep it free for everyone — by becoming a HuffPost member today. A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus Here’s the latest science on COVID antibodies. How does the coronavirus spread differently than the flu? What does the new CDC definition of a COVID-19 “close contact” mean for you? Is it safe to see grandparents for the holidays? Therapists predict how this year will shape our mental health.
